Best Coast played the Fox Theatre on Monday night along with Wavves as part of their 'Summer is Forever' tour.
The California-based groups have been travelling the country on their “Summer Is Forever” tour, which started in late January. On Monday, both bands made their way to Boulder to let audiences feel the love.
Up before Best Coast was Wavves, the San Diego surf rock group led by Nathan Williams. The group came out ironically decked out in Misfits-style makeup and poked fun at metal bands throughout their set.
“I guess you deserve another song,” said their guitarist, Stephen Pope, in his best demon voice.
Besides the gimmick they put on, Wavves played an energy-packed show that left the audience dancing and moshing with delight. The jamming, distorted guitars along with the upbeat rhythms riled up the crowd, especially with their more popular songs such as “King of the Beach” and their closer, “Post-Acid.”
Wavves did a great job of covering all of their material and sounding faithful to their recordings. Williams’ distinctly whiney voice sounded even better in person and the music had even more kinetic energy playing live.
There was considerably less moshing for Best Coast, as their set was a breezy and fun hour of sunny rock. Although the band consists of the people listeners would least expect to be in a rock band, Best Coast did a great job of surprising the audience with its lively distorted garage rock. Even though lead singer Bethany Cosentino was wearing high socks and a dress probably bought from Etsy, she still shred her guitar so hard she broke a string halfway through the show.
The headlining band also did a good job of getting all of its big songs in the show, including its big single, “Boyfriend,” but there were also a lot of other good surprises packed into the set. In addition to the band’s classics were a handful of new songs, as well as a cover of Loretta Lynn’s “Fist City.”
The group also added a lot to its live show. During the song “When I’m With You,” guitarist Bobb Bruno’s solo was nothing short of face-melting. On the band’s closing “Each and Every Day,” it also added an intense jam session in the middle of the song that got the entire crowd energized for the big finale.
Although it was slightly disappointing that currently-dating lead singers of Best Coast and Wavves didn’t do a song together for Valentine’s Day, Cosentino still paid homage to her boyfriend’s band when Best Coast covered Wavves’ “I’m So Bored.”
Another part of the show that was almost more interesting than the concert itself was a trip to the merch stand. Wavves and Best Coast both offered a plethora of obscure merchandise to purchase. In addition to a tote bag that featured a weed-smoking Garfield, Wavves also sold personalized grinders with the signature cat on them.
While couples held hands and went to expensive dinners on Valentine’s Day, Best Coast’s effervescent sound was sweeter than any box of chocolates attendees could have received.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Matt Glassett at Matthew.glassett@colorado.edu.
