Outside of Brooklyn indie music venue Warsaw Concerts, the faint sound of the night’s soundcheck seeped through the brick walls and out to the street. Lined with security and dedicated fans waiting for entry, the space would soon host the third and final Alvvays concert taking place at the venue last week. Alvvays, a popular indie-pop band hailing from Toronto, was supported by alternative staples Hatchie and Snail Mail. The venue, which can accommodate 1,000 guests, was sparkling – decked out with a disco ball, strobe lights and silver tinsel, which served as the backdrop on stage. Such a venue is only fitting for all three bands, who are playing select dates across the country in a long-awaited tour.
The electric, bubblegum pop aesthetic that surges through each band allows their sounds to collide, creating a perfect atmosphere for the audience’s overflowing effervescence. Hatchie, an Australian band, was the opener for the night. Singer Harriette Pilbeam embodies ’90s synth pop and shoegaze in her wispy vocals and fuzzy guitars. With inspiration from Cocteau Twins and Mazzy Star, Pilbeam has carved out a space in modern indie for sounds reminiscent of another era. Hatchie was able to perform all of the songs from her 2017 EP “Sugar & Spice,” a perfect showcase of her talent and style for previously unfamiliar fans.
Following Hatchie was Snail Mail, an act which has risen to worldwide fame in just under a year. The Baltimore, Maryland, group, signed to Matador Records, was formed by 19-year-old powerhouse Lindsey Jordan. From playing a house show in Uniondale to opening for Interpol at Madison Square Garden, Snail Mail has established itself as a band with a consistently impressive sound in the midst of a competitive indie scene. Snail Mail played a diverse setlist, drawing from their 2017 EP “Habit” and new album “Lush.” Despite having been on tour for nearly a year straight, Snail Mail maintains professionalism and energy with each show they play.
As the lights dimmed and turned to a sultry shade of blue, the crowd prepared for Alvvays to take the stage. Fans were clad in the band’s merch, with one fan wearing a homemade t-shirt and bracelet. Cheers erupted from the audience as lead singer Molly Rankin walked on, her blonde hair reflecting teal in the light. Playing a black Fender Duo-Sonic, Rankin performed effortlessly on the last night of the residency, carrying over the quality and delivery from their studio recordings. The band opened with “Hey” from the album “Antisocialites,” and played several other songs from the 2018 album, including “Dreams Tonite” and “Not My Baby.” Rankin smiled upon hearing the audience singing along. “Tonight’s crowd is definitely the best out of the three,” she laughed. “Thank you for making this such an awesome show.” The band went on to play their closing song, “Next of Kin,” from their self-titled 2014 album.
The night wouldn’t be complete without an encore, and Alvvays didn’t disappoint. The lights brightened to reveal two extra microphones, which would be used by Pilbeam and Jordan, alongside Rankin, for a cover of “Alimony” by The Hummingbirds. The three indie rockers closed out their Brooklyn residency with a bang, leaving fans pleased and honored to be in the presence of such magical artists. Alvvays will finish their current tour with shows in Philadelphia and Toronto in the coming weeks.
