Best Coast started their appropriately seasoned summer tour last night in Texas at Austin’s Mohawk venue to a sold out crowd. Gal Pals from Austin opened up the show. I had never heard of them before but was ultimately impressed with their set of songs that sounded straight off of a 60s Nuggets or Pebbles compilation. They consist of two ladies (on drums and guitar) and write some catchy jams.
Next up was Lovely Bad Things. They are on tour with Best Coast and played a brand of pop-punk that seems hard to find these days. I could see them fitting in on a bill with Lemuria or now defunct band, The Ergs. The set was good and they seemed to have really nice stage chemistry. I could tell they have fun playing together.
Best Coast plays sun soaked, beachy pop music with melancholy lyrics and hail from the city of Los Angeles. They started off the set with Sun Was High (So Was I) off of their 7 inch that goes by the same name. Singer Bethany Cosentino made some serious scowls as her and Bobb Bruno jumped into a mix of songs from Crazy for You and The Only Place. Bethany bantered about boob sweat and the classic television show Martin between songs. The crowd ate it up and guys yelled their undying love for her. Bethany amused them by yelling “I love you too” back at them. At one point a guy in a Cro-Mags shirt did a stage dive. I forgot what show I was at for a second. This band has great stage presence and really connects with their loyal audience. It’s difficult to believe they have only been a band since 2009. Some of my favorite highlights were the songs “Boyfriend” and “The End” from their lo-fi debut, Crazy For You. I have no complaints about Best Coast or their live show. Go see them this summer.
– Follow David on Twitter: @mchomelesstwit
Remaining Tour Dates:
May 28 Dallas, TX Granada Theater
May 29 Nashville, TN Exit In
May 30 Birmingham, AL WorkPlay
May 31 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
June 1 Raleigh, NC The Lincoln Theatre
June 3 Richmond, VA The National
June 4 Washington DC 9:30 Club
June 5 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
June 6 Boston, MA Royale Nightclub
June 7 New York, NY The Governors Ball Music Festival
July 17 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl with Belle & Sebastian
July 31 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Aug 1 Milwaukee, WI The Rave