More Than the 90s: bôa Proves They’re a Band for Today
On August 7, 2025, British alt-rock band bôa brought their dreamy-meets-electric sound to a packed crowd at Brooklyn Steel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Though bôa first gained some traction in the UK and Japan in the late ‘90s, the band remained largely under the radar in the U.S. That is, until TikTok unearthed their 1998 gem “Duvet” and gave it a new lease on life in 2020. Since then, bôa has reemerged in a big way, culminating in their first album in nearly two decades and a North American tour with audiences they probably didn’t dare dream about back in the day.
The band originally formed in 1993 in London, with a lineup that included Steve Rogers, brother of current lead vocalist Jasmine Rodgers. The siblings are children of Paul Rodgers (of Bad Company). While the original roster has since changed, Jasmine remains at the helm, now joined by bassist Alex Caird and drummer Lee Sullivan. The current trio has managed to both honor the moody intimacy of their early work while evolving into something fresh and energized.
Walking into Brooklyn Steel, I half-expected a night of gentle swaying and soft vocals. I mean, I have always pictured their 2001 album Twilight being played in a velvet-wallpapered lounge lit only by candles and incense. But what we got instead was a full-on, electric, satisfying performance that transformed the venue, complete with a touch of tambourine.
Bôa opened strong with “Deeply” off Twilight, which connected with the young crowd who seemingly knew more than just the viral hit. Jasmine glided across the stage with tambourine in hand and at times a guitar at her side. The setlist pulled from every era of their discography. The night was a delight for longtime fans and newbies alike.
Standouts for me included “A Girl” from their 2005 album Get There, and “Walk with Me” from their 2024 comeback album Whiplash, and of course, an encore performance of “Duvet.”
What struck me most was how bôa didn’t lean too heavily on nostalgia. They gave us what we came for, but they also pushed forward artistically. They seem to have embraced a new path forward.
Bôa was refreshing and elegant. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a recent convert, they are more than worth it to see live.
