The Beths, a four piece power-pop band from Aotearoa, sold out two nights at The Sinclair to close out February. At the second show, I was there with other Canterbridgians who were treated to an intimate venue experience from a band that has clearly outgrown it. The crowd was rapturous: eyes were glued to the stage and shoes to the floor, making the perilous path to the stairs for the balcony climb nigh impossible. Lucky for us, there are great sight-lines throughout The Sinclair (for readers in New Zealand, as someone who spent a lot of time in Auckland, this place is exactly like The Powerstation).    

A giant inflatable half-fish loomed in the back of the stage, an irreverent conversation piece that slipped its way into the band’s banter. The Beths’ bits included name-the-fish (my favorite crowd suggestion was “Sagittarius” even though “Pisces” would have been more appropriate), introducing the band (cringe) with an interesting fact (oh wait I take it back, that’s fun). This led to bass player Benjamin Sinclair introducing his Beths’ blog where I learned he was impressed with the food (Felipe’s and Cardullo’s) and unimpressed with some locals being rude. Welcome. To. Boston.

The show began with the band walking out to a child-like keyboard instrumental version of “Future Me Hates Me” playing on the PA before they launched into the song for real. It was the vocal harmonies for me though, which were lovely every single time, including on songs “Expert In A Dying Field” and “Head In The Clouds.” I’ve been singing the refrain from “Expert” in my head for the past two days. The Beths are masters of their craft. 

One critique is that I could personally do with about 40 – 65% less guitar solos. For example, on “I’m Not Getting Excited,” the recording has two bars of one note guitar solo vamping before the chorus hits. The live version adds a long, busy guitar diversion before the chorus.

There’s a ton of depth in the set: from the faster pop-punk (“Silence is Golden”, and “I Told You I Was Afraid”) to the mid-tempo palm muter (“Jump Rope Gazers”). “Don’t Go Away” was an ambitious moment that shined a spotlight on The Beths’ wide ranging capabilities. “Don’t” dazzled us with volume and tempo changes on the break-down and rave-up.

The Beths ask “how does it feel?” and I’d have to say, leaving the show, I felt energized and lucky. There was a false-alarm blizzard warning the night before so I was dreading a cancellation. They mused onstage that it’s weird that they always come to Boston in the winter. Here’s hoping for warmer temps to go with the warm melodies next time around. 

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