Blondefire
Erica Driscoll lit up the small stage at Upstate Concert Hall last Monday night with fellow Blondefire members, playing a short but very sweet set as they opened for Surfer Blood followed by Foals. Though many female band leaders tend to play up the glamour aspect of their roles (see Karen O, Santigold, Florence and the Machine), Driscoll wore her blonde hair down with minimal makeup and a simple outfit of jeans and a sheer black blouse, differentiating the Los Angeles native from typical frontwomen. Though dressed casual, she did have a very rock star-esque guitar painted with silver glitter. Driscoll played a cool but energetic set, highlights being the new fan-favorite “Waves”, “Always the Last to Know” from their 2008 record and a delightful Fleetwood Mac cover of “Dreams.” The cover was smooth, sultry and added just enough of Driscoll’s own twist to make it her own. The band finished the set with their latest hit “Where The Kids Are” to the very enthusiastic crowd. Blondefire is a definite must-see the next time they come back into town and a band to keep your eye on. Here’s to hoping they release their full-length album later this year.
Surfer Blood
Surfer Blood followed Blondefire to take on a full 45 minute set, and made the most of their time. The Florida natives’ music definitely takes after their name, with a very laidback and surfer sound sure to please beach-lovers nationwide. Their music is perfect for an afternoon in the sun or a long drive with the windows down. The show was a lot of fun to watch—the band, especially lead singer John Paul Pitts, made sure to interact with the eager fans by hopping off the stage into the crowd, drawing cat whiskers on each other’s faces, and a particular standout moment of guitarist Tom Fekete, who broke out during one song and began playing a guitar solo with his teeth. Overall, Surfer Blood wins points for an awesome sound, chill vibes and their entertainment factor—but could use a little spicing up of the middle portion of their set. Check out their new album, Pythons, set to be released June 11.
