Author: Bridget Benevides
Photo by Bridget Benevides
On Tuesday, February 27th, I headed over to the Neptune Theater in the University District for a night of music. It was my first time at the Neptune and I was pleasantly surprised by the venue. It was multi-tiered, with two sections for standing and one balcony seating option. I got there early enough to get a comfortable spot in the crowd, and even as more people started flowing in I never felt claustrophobic or uncomfortable. The venue featured many panels of greek gods and goddesses in stained glass which were illuminated in between performers.
The Weather Station began the night with a half hour set which included some very relaxing and mellow songs. They were a group of four, with three playing guitar and singing together and one on the drums; they created a very welcoming and joyous environment within the small venue. Their music was very easy to listen to and enjoy as the purple and blue pastel lights lit up the stage and the faces of the crowd.
Image courtesy of Highwire Magazine
After a short wait, Bahamas’ Afie Jurvanen’s voice came on over the loudspeaker asking the audience if we were excited and ready, which was met with whoops and hollers from an enthusiastic audience. He said they had a good set planned for us with “some old songs, some new songs, some good songs, and some bad songs” to which we laughed and cheered before he and four other individuals walked out on stage. There were three guitarists (including Jurvanen), one person on the drums and one vocalist (in addition to Jurvanen). They were all wearing neutral browns and off-white colors, and the backdrop was of this color scheme as well to celebrate Jurvanen’s new album Earthtones.
Image courtesy of Highwire Magazine
He held true to his word and played some new songs and some old songs. Songs from his new album and from years past. He added his own spin to some songs and interacted with the audience after almost every song. He was accompanied by the beautiful and talented Felicity Williams on vocals. She had such a smooth and delicate voice, but radiated power when she sang. In my opinion, even though Bahamas is Afie Jurvanen’s band, the vocals of the show relied heavily on her talent. There was so much fun energy radiating from the stage, smiles and laughter filled the space with every quirky little moment from Jurvanen.
I was really excited when they played “Lost in the Light”, which was the first song I ever heard by Bahamas (and still my favorite). It was so magical to hear live and experience with so many fans. There was no pressure to dance and there was room to stand comfortably in my bubble which made my night much more enjoyable. I loved the attitude of all the “indie-rock” music fans which was friendly but quiet. After “Lost in the Light” Jurvanen joked that he was glad he wrote “at least one good song”. He was very funny and unapologetic about his life as an artist and a traveling husband and father which made this show very unique.
Photo by Bridget Benevides
Bahamas is a band I know I will continue to enjoy and respect. It was a concert filled with new sounds, new songs, new friends and new memories. A pretty perfect Tuesday if you ask me.
BRIDGET BENEVIDES | Music makes me happy | KXSU Music Reporter