For the first time since its release in 1979, “Eskimo,” the avant-garde album by The Residents, will be performed in full.
The long-awaited live debut is set for Saturday, June 7 at the Mayan Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, as part of the two-day festival EXOTIKON.
The Residents have remained a force in experimental music for over five decades, pushing the boundaries of performance art, multimedia storytelling, and avant-garde composition. Their work has influenced artists across genres, from industrial and electronic musicians to contemporary composers.
The “Eskimo” performance will serve as the headlining event for EXOTIKON, a festival dedicated to mid-century exotica culture, theater, and experimental music. Exotica is a genre that emerged in the 1950s, blending jazz with tropical and international influences, often incorporating sounds inspired by Polynesia, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. In popular culture, think: mai tai’s and tiki lounges.
Beyond the concert, the weekend will feature a mix of performances, curated symposia, and interactive exhibits exploring the legacy of exotica music, tiki escapism, and outsider art.
Other festival performers include CREEPXOTICA, Marty Lush & the Singapore Slingers, The Scimitars, and The Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra. The weekend will also feature over 25 vendors in a vintage-style marketplace, tiki bar experiences, and panel discussions on topics such as the history of exotica music and the influence of retro-futurism.
In addition to the festival appearance, The Residents plan to take “Eskimo” on tour for the first time, marking another milestone in their long career. The announcement follows the band’s latest album, “Doctor Dark,” a genre-blurring modern opera blending elements of heavy metal, classical music, and avant-garde storytelling.
EXOTIKON takes place June 7-8, 2025, at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles. For more information on the two-day event, visit exotikon.com. Passes are now on sale starting at $45 at Eventbrite.com.