Article & photos by: Linda Carlson
Cincinnati, OH – The concert season is picking up following the holiday lull, and fans are ready to celebrate. On this night, a sold-out crowd gathered at Bogart’s to experience the sultry, cool vibe of Silversun Pickups, who are touring to promote the August 2022 release of Physical Thrills, their sixth studio album.
The band’s lineup has remained fairly unchanged since 2002, with Brian Aubert (lead vocals/guitar), Chris Guanlao (drums), Joe Lester (keyboards), and the delightful Nikki Monninger (bass/vocals). There’s something special about glittery heels adorning a bassist’s feet!
The stage was lit by a series of vertical light strips that glowed and flickered throughout the set to provide a sense of soothing energy. Coupled with a colored haze (mostly blue), the overall effect was spirited and, in a way, relaxing, perhaps a nod to the band’s shoegaze style.
The set tapped into the full spectrum of the band’s catalog, delivered with a blend of indie rock infused with a jam band chill vibe. Closing with “Lazy Eye” was a solid choice!
- Stillness (Way Beyond)
- Sticks and Stones
- Well Thought Out Twinkles
- It Doesn’t Matter Why
- Panic Switch
- Scared Together
- The Royal We
- Alone on a Hill
- Kissing Families
- Don’t Know Yet
- Hidden Moon
- Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)
- Dots and Dashes (Enough Already)
- Substitution
- Nightlight
Encore:
- Quicksand
- System Error
- Empty Nest
- The Last of Us (Gustavo Santaolalla cover)
- Lazy Eye
Opening for this leg of the tour is Paris Jackson, who is tapping into her music-rich heritage to bring her own individuality to the stage. Her performance was impressive, ranging from soulful ballads and mellow acoustics to damn fine grunge-inspired rock. She was at times shy and sweet (curtsying when introduced by the band), and other times raw and commanding. She has a bright future unfolding.
The Physical Thrills Tour winter leg continues into March. Catch ‘em while you can to bring some warmth to the winter cold! You can also see Silversun Pickups at the Let’s Go! Festival (June 2-4 in Annapolis). Check the band’s website for continuing tour updates https://silversunpickups.com/tour/. Be sure to take a look at the carousel below for more photos from the performances!