Select Showcase

Mercury Lounge // Tulsa, OK

April 23rd 2022

Tulsa’s artists have an inconspicuous way of showing the world what they’re capable of - seemingly local artists performing at otherworldly levels, hometown heroes entering ranks of world namesakes.

The SELECT showcase embodied this, an inherently Tulsa event that was anything but low-profile.

This monthly showcase is a product of Tulsa’s homegrown non-profit, Tulsa Creative Engine, and tech startup Fansub with partners including Tulsa Remote and us here at Honey Punch Mag.

The goal of these showcases is simple: give our local musical talent and creative community a platform to play, connect, and discover. The result was extraordinary.

Upon first stepping into the venue, the built-up excitement was overflowing. As the show started, electricity flowed throughout the crowd at the biker-esque wateringhole – Tulsa’s very own Mercury Lounge. The buzzing dive bar came alive as friends chatted and strangers met over doc918s beats.

Opening the show was Awesha, a Tulsa-based vocalist with a voice that seemingly floats and effortlessly sways with every note. A feeling that enters your body the way only R&B can. During the acapella-like session, her vocals turned the crowd’s conversation into a whisper, as folks gathered around the stage and listened to intimate interpretations of songs like “Chill’n” (Awesha’s most recent single). People were sipping drinks, swaying their bodies, and radiating smiles – as these smiles were reciprocated by friends and neighbors. It was the perfect taste of what was to come.

The energy grew and manifested from the audience, simmering into the next performance.

Lex and her band provided the perfect parallel. The audience was already captivated, now they were ready to move.

The band’s chemistry was stunning, not only as musicians but as friends as well, exchanging smiles, laughs, and jabs throughout the set. It felt like we were all witnessing a freakishly coordinated jam session, a relaxed energy that didn't miss a beat. Emerging from Lex’s repertoire of Pop, was a rendition of this season’s hottest musical commodity, “As It Was” by Harry Styles. It was one of those rare collective moments in the audience of “OMG... THIS IS MY SONG.” The chart topper was tastefully covered, and the vibe, think live encore songs of your favorite artist and they bring out a special guest – you know what I’m talking about.

From “One Kiss” to “Swimteam”, Lex’s set was an experience that invoked the sort of excitement you feel when discovering a new band that you just know is going to be huge.

The crowd was feeling their drinks and coming off the highs, lows and marvelous in-betweens that were supplied by Lex and Awesha. Without a moment to lose, the Manta Rays took the helm. The next portion was an aggressive, awesome pop punk spectacle of jumping, yelling and singing – fueled in part by the unruly audience. The loud and melody-fueled sound from the Manta Rays resonated throughout the packed bar to the point that gestures were the only way to communicate with the bartender that someone was in need of another PBR.

The longtime local band was undoubtedly the main attraction of the night with the crowd doubling in size by mid set, rehashing and rewarding the crowd with hits like Make It On Time. The Manta Rays have built a notable following in Tulsa with a sound that is reminiscent of the hard, melodic tones achieved in the 90s alternative scene – but sporting mustaches and hair more akin to the Allman Brothers. The Manta Rays deliver another solid performance, it was the perfect night cap to an inaugural showcase.