by Greg Wong

On the last night of September, Bermuda Search Party returned to their roots to play a special show at the one-and-only O’Brien’s Pub. The boundlessly energetic band brought the party to the pub to celebrate the release of their new single, “BETTER LoVE.”

There was no opener for the evening’s event; the show revolved entirely around Bermuda Search Party and the fans who were able to snag tickets before they quickly sold out. They commanded the tiny stage for their 90 minute set, demonstrating the vibrant live performance they’ve built a reputation for in spite of the limited space. The setlist could be described as a half-and-half mix of their older songs and their newer songs, with the latter portion of the show dedicated to Bermuda Search Party’s new album Fools On Parade with the grand finale being “BETTER LoVE.”

Between songs, Bermuda Search Party took their time to contextualize the significance of choosing O’Brien’s Pub for their release show. The last time they had played at OB’s was in March of 2020, immediately prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns and back when Bermuda Search Party was still known as The Q-Tip Bandits. Since then, the band have changed and grown but they haven’t neglected their origins in DIY shows and dive bar venues, nor have they forgotten the support from the people who make up an integral part of Boston’s music scene. To that point, lead vocalist and guitarist Leo Son related a cherished memory of the late Hugh McGowan, who hosted the Open Mic nights at The Burren in Somerville, and credited McGowan’s early support as a pivotal reason for Bermuda Search Party’s existence. In a sense, the concert was not just a release show but a tribute to what makes Boston a supportive space for creatives.

Check out all of Greg’s photos from the show below: