On Friday night, before Fortress Festival sent waves through the DFW area, Beach Fossils brought their Brooklyn vibe to Gas Monkey Live.
The short US Tour got its headway in California playing Coachella. Dallas was their last concert in the state after a four-stop excursion around Texas.
At almost 10 p.m., Beach Fossils took the stage late, following openers Why Bonnie and George Clanton, who will both join them on the remaining five dates of the tour. Each band was distinct and not at all similar, unless you categorize them all as not being part of the mainstream.
Self-described as “bedroom pop that moved to the couch,” Austin, Texas natives Why Bonnie looked like a high school garage band reminiscent of Snail Mail and Phoebe Bridgers, but with more guitar and not as obviously sad. The lead singer subtly belted the lyrics wearing a hot pink cowboy hat, giving a strong performance.
LA-based artist George Clanton took the stage next, introducing an entirely different sound to the room and a whole lot of smoke. It sounded like Netflix’s Stranger Things (think ’80s nostalgia sonics) met electronica and somehow inherently reminded me of Aaron Maine from synth-pop band, Porches, who I saw open for Blood Orange at the Granada Theater back in February. It was an odd choice, given how chill Beach Fossils’ music conveys over headphones, but it definitely brought a pick-me-up to the show and made everyone dance.
By the time Beach Fossils finally took the stage, everyone was ready. But, let me tell you: it was absolutely worth the wait. What immediately came through from the stage, again, were the guitars. There were three of them, accompanied by drums, and they’re what really distinguish the band as indie artists.
“Why is everyone asking for yee-haw?” the lead singer, Dustin Payseur, asked at one point (apparently people had been pining). He said he’s from North Carolina, so he gets it. Then, naturally, he asked the crowd for one. And like the good Texas audience it was, the people yee-hawed back.
Aside from one commotion in the crowd that caused the band to stop playing because they wanted to ensure the security didn’t kick anyone out, everything felt like a hang loose sign. It’s just music that makes you feel good.
They ended the night after a three-part encore on the same note I’d like to leave you, saying, “Take care of everyone around you.”
Beach Fossils will close the tour in Phoenix, Arizona on May 3. You can stream their most recent album, Somersault, released in June 2017, on all platforms.
