Los Angeles outfit White Arrows played Baby’s All Right last night as a part of their first ever headlining tour for their new album In Bardow, released last fall. The night also featured opening sets from fellow New York bands Chappo and Yabadum.
Unfortunately I only caught the very end of Yabadum’s set. But I caught all of Chappo’s, and was enamored by what I saw. The local psych-pop/rock group delighted the crowd with a set of highly enjoyable tunes with 60s-psych grooves blended with modern synth elements. They brought the party with them, full of confetti sticks and a glorious fog machine set up that sent the fog through the mouth of a little monster creature. It was a colorful set that did more than just warm the crowd up, they nearly stole the show.
Just like with their 2012 debut Dry Land Is Not A Myth, White Arrows’ most recent LP In Bardow questionably went slightly under the radar. It’s odd, considering their ability to take so many different genres and produce larger than life anthems so smoothly. The group, led by founder Mickey Church, went in a slightly different direction with the new album, signaling that they’re still very much a band finding themselves. They’re already well on their way, but tons of potential to explore even more avenues. That’s exciting to see.
Live, the group are able to reciprocate the urgency found on their recordings, big brash songs with psych-undertones, pushed forward with a great sense for pop melodies. They were in a tight groove throughout their hour long set at Baby’s last night, blending material from their two albums quite seamlessly. From the tropical funk of “Coming Or Going,” the Empire Of Sun-esque “Nobody Cares” or the finishing punch of “Get Gone.” All while looped visuals inspired by the In Bardo album art were projected over them.
It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday night with two young bands with bright, exciting, futures ahead of them.
White Arrows Set List:
1. I Want A Taste
2. Coming Or Going
3. Devil’s Chimes
4. Chill Winston
5. Get By
6. Scream
7. Leave It Alone
8. Fireworks Of The Sea
9. Can’t Stop Now
10. God Alert
11. Nobody Cares
12. We Can’t Ever Die
13. Get Gone
Chappo:
White Arrows:
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