The indie-pop duo Tennis brought their final tour for the foreseeable future to Roadrunner on May 30th. After 15 years as a band, the husband-and-wife team announced in early April that Tennis would go on an indefinite hiatus, noting an end “at least in this configuration as Tennis.” The effective dissolution of the band follows the recent release of their 7th and final album Face Down in the Garden, but the farewell tour will continue throughout the year until October.
British singer-songwriter Billie Marten played a solo acoustic set to begin the night, and the crowd received her with unabashed enthusiasm. The crowd listened with rapt attention when it counted, yet several individuals were comfortable enough to banter with Billie between songs, and she commented that “we’ve turned this warehouse into a living room. I feel like I could tell you anything.” Her surprisingly intimate set was dampened only by the intermittent blasts of hand dryers audible from the bathrooms, and otherwise Billie Marten got the show started on the right foot.
When the time came, Tennis was welcomed to the stage by whoops and hollers from appreciative fans. The gravity of their final Boston performance could be felt, but it didn’t cast a pall over the show. At a couple points in their set, vocalist Alaina Moore stopped to thank supporters and express gratitude for the experience of being a part of Tennis over the last decade and a half. Generally there was not much time devoted to talk, other than a scant few moments, and Tennis focused on delivering a memorable, send-off-worthy performance. Moore’s honeyed vocals floated over Patrick Riley’s vibrant guitar and keys, and they demonstrated a natural synergy with each other. Their sharp execution was a reminder that the decision to put an end to Tennis was a deliberate choice to quit while they’re ahead.
The setlist was a balanced mix that largely emphasized their last 4 albums in almost completely equal measure, foregoing an emphasis on Face Down in the Garden that likely would have occurred on a normal headline tour. The audience clearly had no complaints in hearing such a broad cross section of the Tennis discography. The concert ended fittingly with “12 Blown Tires,” a reflective song about the highs and lows of touring and marriage that could be interpreted as a summation of Tennis in a single song. Ultimately, the farewell was not drawn out as the headlining set concluded within an hour and 20 minutes. Fans gave an extra loud ovation to mark the end of an era and to show Tennis some parting Boston love.
Game to check out Greg’s set of photos below? Then we’re a match. Haha. Tennis.
