SASAMI Shines in Nashville with 'Blood on the Silver Screen'

On April 29th, Korean American rock star SASAMI (사사미) (ササミ) brought her “Blood on the Silver Screen” U.S. Tour to The Blue Room in Nashville, Tennessee. Joined by rising Chinese artist Jia Pet, the night was nothing short of bold style, raw musical talent, and exhilarating energy. The Blue Room, known for its intimate yet gnarly vibe, perfectly complemented the night’s range of sounds, from fierce alt-rock to dreamy ballads.

Photo Elle R

The show kicked off with Jia Pet, who captivated the audience with her playful yet grounded stage presence. As the venue lights began to dim and the crowd’s attention drifted away from the bar toward the stage, Jia Pet emerged with an effortlessly cool look — cute curly hair and puffy striped sleeves that gave off an early fashion flair with a modern twist. Though a little shy at first, she pranced around the stage with a quiet confidence, taking a moment to adjust her back track before diving into her set. Her music immediately set with the vibe of the night, each song carefully chosen to ease the audience into the evening. 

A notable touch was her thoughtful use of the cowbell, an unexpected but endearing addition for Nashville. She ended her set with an homage to her roots, performing a full song in Chinese before wielding a bubble gun that sprayed the crowd with shimmering bubbles. It was a charming, playful moment that had the crowd grinning and jumping. Her warm smile, and sincere energy lit up the room and left everyone excited for what was next.

Photo Elle R

After a brief intermission, the stage was reset, and excitement buzzed through the venue. When SASAMI finally stepped out, the cheers were immediate. Dressed in a dark denim tank top, a light wash denim skirt, and cow-printed boots that screamed “large and in charge,” she embodied what could only be called Nashville Chic. Her dainty yet fluffy arm warmers added a quirky, stylish flair, and the entire look was a vibe — fierce, fun, and unapologetically unique. Perfect for her.

Back lit with sultry red lighting, SASAMI opened with “Honeycrash,” an alternative rock track from her 2025 album Blood on the Silver Screen. The room quickly grew louder. Drinks were raised, heads nodded in rhythm, and the crowd fully surrendered to her sound. I found her fanbase was quite diverse — twenty-something girls in thrifted outfits and older couples, all equally in the moment. It was clear SASAMI’s music crossed generational and cultural boundaries.

SASAMI kept the vibe casual and intimate between songs, introducing herself and asking, “Can we pretend it’s a Friday?” — a joke that came full circle later in the night as the crowd humorously echoed it back. The banter didn’t stop there. She teased her drummer, playfully bounced near her guitarist, and riffed on stage like she was playing in a garage with teenage friends. The chemistry among her bandmates was undeniable, and the crowd loved every second of it.

Photo Elle R

At one point, SASAMI amped things up by encouraging a mosh pit — reminder, it was a Tuesday night. She also revealed an upcoming country remix of her song “Just Be Friends,” a slower, emotionally tender track which would include a featured artist. Personally, I’m excited for this release because out of all the songs she performed that night, this one really stole my attention. I even found myself putting my camera down to take out my phone and record her amazing vocals. Texting my friends how beautiful it was and cherishing that moment.

A frilly and daintily dressed French horn had been quietly sitting on the side of the stage all night that kept taking my attention. Then, in one of the evening’s most breathtaking moments, SASAMI grabbed the horn, and performed a solo that was both regal and intimate. The lights dimmed, a single spot light hitting just right to create the perfect picture as she gracefully gave the crowd a French Horn solo. The fan that was blowing directly on her only gave a more regal appearance. She bantered with the crowd some more, asking about if there were any band kids, and surprisingly there were a lot of flute players in the crowd.

Photo Elle R

Lastly, SASAMI closed the night out with “Slugger” saying it’s for the fans who are a “Water (Zodiac) sign, queer, or a baseball fan.” Personally I didn't relate to any of those options, but I still found the Pop Rock song a total hit. And the song was a great way to get the crowd back dancing and having fun, SASAMI herself grabbing her horn and spinning around on stage. 

Honestly, it was a cool night to remember and I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to see her live. SASAMI is an artist you can truly tell loves the environment, her stage presence is demanding, and she has this secure feeling about her. She knows who she is and is doing what she’s not only talented at, but also enjoys. I really find that admirable and I hope more people can discover how great she is too. As I walked out of the venue, “Baddie” by K-Pop Group IVE blared from the speakers, making for an epic summary of the night.

SASAMI 

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