By Lorenzo dela Cruz | June 17, 2025

photos by Lorenzo dela Cruz & Leila Miranda

On a sweltering and humid Texas night, Bermuda Search Party rolled into the Paper Tiger—a small, intimate venue tucked into the heart of San Antonio—and delivered a night of energy, emotion, and communal vibes.

The show opened with a quirky and charming intro sequence mimicking a ride safety announcement in multiple languages, setting the tone for the band’s playful and inclusive vibe. Despite the sweat and stickiness of summer heat, the small audience was locked in from the start. The horn section blasted with high energy, electrifying the room and instantly lifting spirits.

From their catchy, sun-drenched songs to their open-hearted onstage banter, Bermuda Search Party created an environment that felt less like a concert and more like a conversation between artist and listener. The crowd grooved and swayed together in sync, brought together by the kind of genuine musicianship that reminds you why live music matters.

The set included an exciting performance of their unreleased track “Better Love,” and talk of a forthcoming new album. But the most memorable moment of the night came mid-show, when vocalist and guitarist Leo Son paused to share a deeply personal story. Three years ago, he recalled, he played his first-ever open mic — with only five people in the room. His close friend and mentor Hugh, the person who gave him inspiration and space to perform was also performing that night. Hugh had a special skill, a skill to make a small, empty room, feel larger than life. Witnessing that skill and artisanship that day, gave Leo inspiration to become the performer that he is today, and that definitely was on display.

Leo revealed that both Hugh and another friend of his had recently passed away, and after a recent conversation with his mother about her will, he was reminded of life’s fragility. Before launching into a dedication song for those they’d lost—and those still here—he said, “Grief has taught me how to mourn, but also that there is so much love around me.” The moment sent a shiver down my spine. The band performed this song purely acoustically, and huddled in a semicircle around the front microphones. As they harmonized during the choruses of the songs, an air of somber celebration filled the air as their voices floated into the night sky in remembrance to all those beyond.

Later, Leo shared that music has become his anchor: “Left to my own devices, my thoughts become too much. But when I get to perform—to express and be in community—just for a moment, the storm inside feels just right.”

He admitted he didn’t expect San Antonio to feel like home, but the energy in the room proved otherwise. “All the tension from daily life and the bullshit is still there,” he said, “but this moment is a release from that.” Then he got the whole venue to scream with him on the count of three as they burst into their next song—a collective purge of all the weight we carry.

The night ended with a final rush of music and movement, a joyful close to an evening that ran the full emotional spectrum. Bermuda Search Party didn’t just put on a show—they created a shared experience, a temporary pocket of time where nothing existed but connection. Whether you're new to their music or a longtime fan, catch them on tour if you can—because when they say they’re a search party, what they’re really doing is helping the rest of us search for something too.