Kaleo Wassman has played massive stages across the world with Pepper—sweat flying, amps roaring, and a sea of bodies bouncing in sync. But for his latest venture, the longtime frontman is pulling the plug. Literally.
With a new solo acoustic tour about to kick-off, Wassman is channeling the spirit of MTV Unplugged, bringing stripped-down, candlelit performances to intimate venues across the country. Think less “Warped Tour chaos” and more “Alice in Chains emotional clarity”—and that’s exactly the point.
“I grew up in the ’90s watching MTV Unplugged: Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden—even Eric Clapton,” Wassman tells The Pier. “It was beautiful to see songs deconstructed like that, stripped away from production. Every April, I rewatch Alice in Chains’ Unplugged. It just gets better every time. That raw emotion from Layne Staley, the haunting harmonies with Jerry Cantrell—it gives me chills. That’s the kind of experience I’m hoping to bring with these acoustic shows. Something raw. Something you can’t replicate.”
The acoustic shows mark a return to the emotional core of the music. For the last five years—especially when COVID shut everything down, Wassman leaned into smaller venues and more intimate performances to bring it back to the music’s origins with him and his guitar.
“I’ve got some amazing guests joining me—Jeff from The Expendables, Wayne Lothian from The English Beat. Performing with different people pushes me to be better. It’s super inspiring.”
The vibe is less arena rock, more communal gathering. Instead of getting blasted by big lights and loudspeakers, it’s candles, flowers, and connection. For Wassman, it’s not a replacement for big festival sets like Reggae Rise Up or Cali Vibes—it’s a complement. It doesn’t have to be either-or he explains. Both are important. But these acoustic shows allow a different kind of connection.
“It opens up the vibe. I’ve got my uncles, my parents, friends, and their kids all in the audience. It’s a full community. The shows are candlelit, with flowers on stage—more like MTV Unplugged than a loud, outdoor festival,” he said
Stripped of the noise, Wassman is finding new ways to resonate. “It’s just fun,” he says, grinning. “And the fun is in being present, vulnerable, and real.”
KALEO WASSMAN SOLO ACOUSTIC TOUR DATES:
Sep 17 – Mesa, AZ @ The Rosetta Room
Sep 25 – Denver, CO @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side
Oct 5 – Tacoma, WA Airport Tavern
Oct 8 – Petaluma, CA @ Mystic Theatre
Oct 15 – Felton, CA @ Felton Music Hall
Kaleo Wassman’s debut solo single ‘Shine Again’ is available now and can be heard below.
Watch Kaleo Wassman’s full interview with ThePier.org about is solo project and acoustic tour below!
