Show Review & Photos: Beach House @ Sub Pop’s 30th Anniversary Party

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Show Review & Photos: Beach House @ Sub Pop’s 30thAnniversary Party – 8/11/18
by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Beach House rocked Alki Beach at Sub Pop’s 30thAnniversary Party. The free outdoor festival included four stages that featured 18 artists from the now-iconic Seattle record label. Scattered thunderstorms threatened the venue all day long, but hardly dampened the crowds.

Beach House‘s Victoria Legrand

Beach House stepped onto the Flippity Flop Stage to eerie golden backlighting courtesy of a wildfire-smoke sunset. The Baltimore dream-pop duo includes keyboardist Victoria Legrand and guitarist Alex Scally, who were joined by drummer James Barone. They emphasized tunes from their latest release, 7, which has been well-received for its complex sonic layers and weightier-than-usual psychedelia. Beach House did create a massive sound, but Legrand’s ethereal vocals still floated atop the clouds of synth, slide guitar, and steady drums. Both artists played covered up—Scally by a dark, full-length overcoat with forearm-rolled sleeves, and Legrand behind a stylish PVC suit, long auburn hair, and a mask of black eye makeup.

Alex Scally of Beach House

Earlier in the day, Los Angeles hip-hop group clipping‘s rapper Daveed Diggs coaxed an initially reluctant audience into frenetic jumping and stage-diving. A representative of Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office then announced the official proclamation of Sub Pop Day to recognize the label’s musical and cultural influence. Seattle locals Shabazz Palaces followed with a set of Afrocentric experimental hip-hop and eccentric fashion. As Beach House concluded, the enormous crowd tried to filter next door to the Loser Stage to see closing act Father John Misty, but was disappointed by an impenetrable sea of earlier arrivals. With the popularity of SPF30, Seattle music fans are already anticipating SPF40 and beyond.

Beach House will return to Seattle’s Moore Theatre on Wednesday May 8 & Thursday May 9. A few tickets are still available.

Beach House
Shabazz Palaces
Father John Misty
clipping’s Daveed Diggs
Schedule & Atmosphere

Show Review & Photos: Thievery Corporation & the Suffers @ the Showbox

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Thievery Corporation & the Suffers @ the Showbox, 12/28/18
Show Review & Photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Thievery Corporation packed the Showbox on December 28, 2018. Based in Washington, D.C., the band plays classic trip-hop with a world feel—including sitar, tablas, chimes, and congas. Their tour supports the album Treasures from the Temple, which was recorded in Jamaica in 2017.

Founding member and producer Rob Garza was joined by an impressive musical lineup of guitarist Rob Myers, bassist Ashish Vyas, percussionist Frank Orrall, and drummer Jeff Franca. It was a polished and high-energy set, accentuated by the playful individuality of the band members: Vyas high-strutted barefoot in a blue jumpsuit, Franca tossed his drumsticks into the audience, Myers shredded guitar and sitar solos, and Orrall took a turn on vocals while also doing the splits and swinging a lightbulb above the crowd.

Thievery Corporation – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Five talented vocalists from several countries rotated through the evening, including Mr. Lif (Jeffrey Haynes), Puma Ptah, Racquel Jones, Natalia Clavier, and Loulou Ghelichkhani. Each brought a unique flavor to the music as they sang, rapped, jumped, and danced. All performers were impeccably dressed, and the colorful lighting set a psychedelic mood.

Thievery Corporation delivered an excellent and memorable 20-song set from across their discography, including old favorites “Amerimacka” and “Lebanese Blonde.” The encore began with an extended introduction of the band that was set to “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for the Seattle crowd. Garza expressed gratitude to each performer, followed by a round of hugs. It was a genuine and heartfelt moment that showcased the love this long-time group has for one another and for their fans.

Houston eight-piece soul group The Suffers opened the evening with a very danceable set. Lead singer Kam Franklin grooved seductively in a velour jumpsuit as she belted out the group’s original tunes. The crowd loved The Suffers, and the band seemed to have a Seattle following already. Franklin made sure of it by quizzing the audience: “What are we called? [The Suffers!] … And where are we from? [Houston!].”

Thievery Corporation – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn
The Suffers – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn