The Baltimore-based duo played both rare and new tracks for their Brooklyn performance on Sunday night.
With ambiguous lyrics about love and loss, the ethereal, resonant voice of Victoria Legrand and synchronized, gleaming lights, Beach House dazzled their Brooklyn Steel audience on June 9. Lead singer and keyboardist Victoria Legrand joined guitarist, keyboardist, and backup vocalist Alex Scally, and touring drummer James Barone for the first of two sold-out performances at the venue.
The dreampop band released 7, their seventh full-length studio album, last year via Sub Pop Records. They have been touring in support of the LP ever since.
Before the headlining act took the stage, fellow Baltimore-based duo, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat opened the night with frenzied garage-punk riffs and crooning vocals. The group, composed of lead singer Ed Schraeder and bassist Devlin Rice, performed tracks from their recent album, Riddles.
The stage was then transformed into something more elusive and otherworldly. A checkered platform was placed upon it, and each respective instrument was tested.
After the lights dimmed, colors flickered on an ever-changing backdrop as the three musicians began to play. Beach House opened their set with “Levitation,” from their 2015 critically-acclaimed record, Depression Cherry.
Other songs that appear on the album were included in the setlist, such as “Space Song,” “PPP,” and “Beyond Love.” “Elegy to the Void,” from their 2015 LP, Thank Your Lucky Stars was also performed.
With their signature exquisite lights, reverb-drenched guitar solos and transcending synthesizers, Beach House performed mostly from 7. Highlights from the show included, “Dark Spring,” “Black Car,” and “Lemon Glow.” As flashing lights depicted the three silhouettes, Legrand sang verses in French on “L’Inconnue.”
The backdrop unveiled intricate graphic effects throughout the night, with various patterns moving and shifting. The dreamlike atmosphere created by the band was in full effect.
Fan-favorite songs from their 2012 release, Bloom were played, “Myth,” “Lazuli,” and “Wishes.” Cheers of approval echoed through the venue when fans also heard “Take Care,” and “Silver Soul,” from the 2010 album, Teen Dream.
Legrand and Scally paid homage to longtime fans with live renditions of “Saltwater,” and “Master of None,” two emotive tracks from their 2006 debut and self-titled album.
From their witty banter with the audience to their undeniable stage presence, Legrand and Scally’s New York stop was as ear-pleasing as it was visually appealing.
Beach House closed their exquisite set with “Rough Song,” and “Dive,” for their well-anticipated encore.
The dreampop connoisseurs will continue to tour in support of 7, hitting venues across North America until mid-August.
