After a captivating performance from newcomers Tanukichan, Alex G took to the stage. He kicked the set off softly while seated at a dimly lit keyboard for “S.D.O.S.,” then moved onto an acoustic guitar for most of the night. The set would run the gamut from quiet to loud, peaking volume wise into fierce, cold digital soundscapes on “Brick” and “Horse.”
The G man told the audience that people in New York say “bad things” about Boston. This elicited a muted response at first. However, upon returning to the subject repeatedly, the crowd began to jeer. Alex G wouldn’t specify what the New Yorkers said, but he made sure to let us know that he knows multiple people in New York that do not like Boston, and that he disagrees with them. Alex neglected to mention where he comes from, for helpful background context but that’s okay, I looked it up and it is Havertown, Pennsylvania. Which I find interesting because I have never heard, read, or seen anything about Havertown, Pennsylvania.
But I’m sure Havertown, Pennsylvania is great. That’s because Alex G is Great. Maybe Great is what the ‘G’ stands for. I am not going to look that up. I do know that Alex G is Great because he, with his four piece band, made a pavilion full of people shriek-gasm to his song “Sarah” which shook the Seaport. Friends, “Sarah” was a collective hand-over-mouth, ‘can you believe we’re here?’ kind of moment where couples started instantly making out with each other. Suffice it to say, this kind of concert magic where thousands of people are connecting together by experiencing simultaneous musical dopamine hits, is powerful.
Alvvays hail from Prince Edward Island and feature lead singer Molly Rankin, who was sporting her trademark hotrod red. Alvvays were born out of late 00’s blog rock and align their core influences with obscure throwback crooners like Julee Cruise. They practice reverb drenched, crooner, indie synth pop. Rankin’s vocal prowess shined on her agile melodies, including my favorite, “Tile By Tile.” Alvvays also bring a sort of early 80’s Smiths/REM jangle post-punk vibe to the party which I do in fact really like, such as on “Pressed.” Both tracks are off of 2022’s stellar Blue Rev album.
Alvvays’ echo effects enveloped the crowd along with the warm sea breeze. Revelers swayed ecstatically to “Archie, Marry Me” under a canopy that resembled an oversized wedding tent. They drew the night to a satisfying close on “Lottery Noises.” I felt like I was in a float tank for 90 minutes because after the show I felt regulated, relaxed, and ready. I was All Set. There was no pain in this Pavilion.
