Tuesday night at the Great Scott offered up an insanely cathartic and catchy three sets courtesy of a group of artists from very different backgrounds, albeit with one precious thing in common — honest-to-blog, genuine star power. It’s rare to happen upon a show where every performer oozes the kind of enthusiasm, professionalism, and passion for music that Hall of Mirrors, Basic Vacation, and Australia’s Alpine provided did when they took the stage for an evening of music that was accessible as it was interesting.
Hall of Mirrors, a band to root for composed of Marco Lawrence on vocals and synthesizer, guitar from Sophia Carreras, and Jenna Calabro on cello (though Calabro couldn’t perform that evening), first made an impression on us when the band’s single “Keep,” a winsome and beautiful song full of tender piano and creamy vocals courtesy of Lawrence, was featured on Allston Pudding’s own Marathon Relief mix tape (their EP, “begin,” is five tracks of serene and subtle music well worth a purchase). Lawrence and Sophia Carreras, took the stage, their instruments wreathed in blue string lights, and delivered a memorable performance that more than does justice to their smooth recordings. Lawrence’s voice is pure, smooth, and very obviously fueled by passion for the music. Though Calabro’s cello is a special thing and communicated well in recordings, seeing the band with only guitar and keyboard really showed off both of the performers’ skills.
Next up came Basic Vacation, an indie-rock trio from New York City via Philadelphia. Comprised of Chris Greatti on guitar and vocals, Mike Montalbano on drums, Jon Paul on bass, and Chad Sabo on keyboard for the evening, Basic Vacation is the band that we all wish played our senior prom. They’re a gang of picture-perfect young punks, under-21 exes criss crossing a few of their hands, their instruments held on by black duct tape.
Lead singer Greatti is lean, blue-haired, and confident with his ability, demonstrating impressive and passionate command of his scratched-up black Fender (the wood is showing through the paint, very punk rock) and singing with ease and vigor. Montalbano beats the crap one of the coolest drum sets we’ve seen (Winona Ryder’s face stares blankly out at the audience from the bass drum) with athletic intensity, and Sabo, mustachioed and precise, who was only with the band for the evening, brought theatrical piano and synth riffs to the table that elevated the set from standard rock band to 80’s-tinged glory.
Basic Vacation’s music is instantly lovable, making astute use of catchy hooks, perfectly timed solos, and synchronous timing to great effect. The band’s new single “I Believe” is as infectious as any party anthem could be and “Jamie” is a sexy-times jam that the band took to new heights, but the band’s cover of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” was the true standout moment of the evening. It’s curious that a band who released their debut EP only that day could be so professional in their execution and marketing, but one thing is for certain — they’re a band to watch, with high-grade musicianship, a finely-tuned pop sensibility, and a healthy dose of attitude.
Alpine rounded out the night with a headlining set so fun and perfect the mind fairly boggles. The six-member ensemble, led by front women Phoebe Baker and Lou James, hails from Australia and is touring North America for the first time with their first full-length album, “A is for Alpine.” Baker and James make an eye-catching and utterly charming pair; Baker is a Titian-haired, Ann-Margret-esque bombshell clad all in black, while James is tiny and crackling with energy in a harlequin-printed romper, glitter tights, and white creepers. Their voices, crystal-clear and angelically high, weave in and out of each other. Sometimes it’s like a duel between them, a ferocious back-and-forth, but they often present a formidably sweet united front. The vocals are well-supported by dooming bass riffs and on-point percussion.
It’s always a pleasure to know that the musicians onstage are having a good time, too, and it was absolutely clear that Alpine was psyched to be on stage. All six members dance energetically, grooving together and cracking jokes between songs that make it clear that, though they are highly seasoned performers, their shows following long hours of practice and cooperation, they don’t take themselves too seriously. “We need to take a rest. We’re really fit,” Baker says with a sarcastic grin after the band delivers a crackling performance of “Lovers,” the album’s two-part opener. It’s not all fun and games, though — “All for One,” a sweet but sad number, grounded the performance in an emotional place. “Gasoline,” the album’s single, was a highlight of the entire evening, groovy and exhilarating, full of infectious little guitar blips and seraphic vocals. “I wish it wasn’t just the nighttime,” Baker croons.
If you weren’t at the show Tuesday night, well, we’re sorry for you — but we strongly suggest you check all of these bands out, if you haven’t already. The evening showcased a group of real rock stars, young, talented, and ready to break into the stratosphere.