Boygenius by Greg Wong
As live music continues to evolve, the very way we are presented with this live music undergoes changes as well. Whether it’s tiered pricing or bands like The Cure putting a cap on ticket costs, or it’s Harry Styles touring the country but staying in one city for weeks before moving on.
The latest innovation in live music came through Boston this past weekend. A three day, touring festival-of-sorts titled Re:SET Concert Series. Three headliners, along with a gaggle of opening acts of their own choosing, perform in three different cities throughout each weekend of the month of June. Billed as an “artist and fan friendly alternative” to summer tours which gives artists a “respite from the cookie-cutter itinerary” along with no conflicts for the fans who desire to not miss a single minute of every artist.
James Blake by Emily Gardner
Starting weekend one in the Bay Area, LA and San Diego, followed by weekend two in Atlanta, Dallas and New Orleans before arriving for weekend three in Boston, DMV and New York. Boston’s weekend saw sex-symbol Steve Lacy on Friday, electro-rock gods LCD Soundsystem on Saturday and the band-of-the-moment Boygenius on Sunday. (The following, and final, weekend of Re:SET occurs in Columbus, Chicago and Nashville.)
As I left work on Friday, I knew I wouldn’t make it in time to see “Deep End” singer-songwriter Fousheé (gates for Re:SET opened at 3pm each day); however I pulled into lot 3 with only moments to spare before the second act. The adorable funk-wave artist Toro y Moi was about to take the stage. Fortunately, lot 3 truly was only steps away from the gates, providing relief that I may not miss much of Toro after all.
The lush grounds of Suffolk Downs welcomed attendees with preserved racing track signs and fixtures creating a pathway. The venue is laid out smartly with features lining the sides of an almost-circle shaped field. Bars, food stalls, the merch tent, restrooms, VIP and the stage wrap around you with ample space to lay around and enjoy the sounds in the middle. A lovely feature, in my opinion, are the planes flying just overhead from nearby Logan airport. Loud enough to be exciting without drowning out the ambiance.
Toro y Moi led a fun and funky set carrying the crowd into the weekend with ease. Stopping every now and then to flash a winning smile at the crowd before continuing to please with standout tracks “Ordinary Pleasure” and “Freelance”, frontman Chaz Bear proves they’re worthy of a longer set time, and perhaps a much bigger stage.
Steve Lacy by Emily Gardner
I hopped in line for a greasy and scrumptious pulled pork grilled cheese from Bees and Thank You, a Worcester-based local honey-infused grilled cheese food truck. The sandwich did not disappoint, and I still regret not getting the tomato soup on the side.
UK producer and professional sad boy James Blake emerged from stage smoke and took us on a soul repairing journey. His set lulls you into a state of serenity before lifting you back onto your feet and back down again. Complete with covers of Bill Withers and Frank Ocean and featuring recent Metro Boomin’ collaboration “Hummingbird”.
Lastly, the first headliner of the weekend, and most prolific on Tik-Tok, Steve Lacy arrived. Screams of fans filled the air as Lacy began to rip into his guitar, and into our hearts and minds. The California born icon played in front of screens showcasing half-nude projections of himself before stopping to promise another album on the horizon, but that he’s an “artist artist [who actually] has to live experiences before [he] can write about them.”
See photos from day one below.
Saturday was lost to rain and reports of thunderstorms in the area, but not all washed away. Much to their fans delight and surprise, British rock band IDLES set up a last minute late-night show at The Sinclair in Cambridge for only $20 a ticket. Alas Boston did miss out on l’Rain, Jamie XX and second headliners LCD Soundsystem.
Bartees Strange by Greg Wong
Sunday proceeded as planned with more fans, more music and the sun back in the sky. Thankfully I made my merch purchases on Friday night, as the arrival of Clairo and Boygenius merch shifted the wait time from non-existent to over an hour. Alt-indie musician Bartees Strange opened the final day of Re:SET while attendees acclimated to the spongey-wet grounds. Dijon took the stage next showcasing a sound that may be as hard to label as it is easy to enjoy. Swerving effortlessly through Americana, folk, rock, R&B, soul and more.
Next, I stopped by the Pazza Express stand for a heaping pile of French fries, chicken tenders and Arancini before returning to the crowd. Massachusetts raised songstress Clairo appeared next on stage hood up, sunglasses on and ready to make us feel something. Taking some soft moments of pause to remark about her ties to the area before sliding back into standouts “Alewife”, “Zinneas” and “Bags”.
Clairo by Greg Wong
Finally, the weekend closed out with everyone’s favorite boys. Composed of the buttery n’ beautiful Lucy Dacus, the quietly ferocious Julien Baker and gen-Z heroine Phoebe Bridgers, Boygenius kicked things off. But not before a moment of recognition for the indigenous peoples in the area and to acknowledge the land we stood on and its ties in rightful ownership to the Pawtucket, Wampanoag and Massachusett tribes.
Beginning with a broadcast from backstage, the trio softly sings “Without You, Without Them” before fully erupting onstage for lead single “$20”. By taking pauses to say “Hi”, to wish the dad’s in the crowd a Happy Father’s Day, to help fans in the crowd, and to figure out if the verse they had just sung was the correct one; the camaraderie and spirit is undeniable. It’s only a crime these three didn’t start performing together sooner.
Allowing themselves time to shine in their own rights, each “boy” performed one song from their solo albums before coming back together to unleash a new song “Boyfriend” (it had debuted the night before in NY). Continuing with standouts “Me and My Dog” and “Letters to an Old Poet” before returning to the stage for an encore, officially closing out the weekend with the searing “Salt in the Wound”.
Having promised a leisurely weekend of music, Re:SET Concert Series delivered with the structure and ease of a tried-and-true festival while offering some much appreciated differences including no conflicting set times, earlier end to the evenings and a cohesive program of incredible artists. See photos from day three two below.
