On the Road with Gunnar Gehl
Photos courtesy of Gunnar Gehl
Gunnar Gehl is just getting started, having released his debut single "Ocean Blue" this October, but he already has an impressive presence. The 17-year-old musician has been steadily building his fan base on Instagram and Soundcloud, and with an accessible yet dense sound and more new music in the works, he just may be about to hit his big break. Some may compare his young age and guitar-driven pop to Shawn Mendes, while Gehl says his biggest inspiration is John Mayer, but clear regardless is the vivid way he recounts personal experience through vocals and instrumentals.
Showing his promise, Gehl recently had the opportunity to open for Simon Cowell-formed boy band PRETTYMUCH on their North American tour. Traveling around the continent throughout this fall, the rising star shared moments with his fans, visited iconic sights, and learned how to push through an exhausting yet rewarding schedule, chronicling all of this exclusively for L'Officiel USA. Below, get to know Gehl a little better as he shares experiences from onstage and off.
SEATTLE
The first of many post-show fan meet ups, surrounded by half the general admission pit.
SAN FRANCISCO
Pre-show rehearsals.
LOS ANGELES
Admiring the size of The Wiltern during sound check.
ANAHEIM
Hometown show. Family and friends surrounded the crowd, making this one of the most important nights.
DALLAS
7:30 AM. Morning interviews are never a tour favorite.
SAN ANTONIO
The best show of the tour up to this point. One of our favorite stops.
HOUSTON
The set includes a jump off a stool, but we left the one we had been using in the previous city and had to improvise with the nearest stool. Nobody realized until showtime that the stool was a solid foot higher than the rest.
TAMPA
Sing with me.
FORT LAUDERDALE
Exploring the city around each venue always paid off, especially when it was warm.
ORLANDO
After every single show, fan meet ups were a must.
ATLANTA
Atlanta was crazy. By far the loudest, most active crowd of the tour.
PHILADELPHIA
Gunnar's family surprised him in Philly.
NEW YORK CITY
Woke up with a fever of 105, and spent the day in urgent care. Then poured it all out on stage.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Standing in the rain with fans for a half hour while getting over a fever? Priceless.
CINCINNATI
Kai, let’s go back to Florida. It’s way too cold here.
MILWAUKEE
Hold my hand.
MINNEAPOLIS
Good vibes only.
CHICAGO
We had the day off! It was way heavier than we thought.
DETROIT
Ran into some friends.
CHICAGO PT. 2
All of the lights.
TORONTO
My first international show will be one I never forget.
NEW YORK CITY PT. 2
Meetings. NYC elevators take forever.
BOSTON
What a way to end the tour!
