What better way to kick off summer than with the reverbed-drenched guitars and beachy-pop hooks of Southern California’s Best Coast? On June 26th I did just that, alongside a sold out crowd at The Observatory North Park in San Diego, CA.
Opening their set with the very appropriate “The Only Place,” Best Coast had the entire crowd singing along:
“Why would you live anywhere else?
We’ve got the ocean, got the babes
Got the sun, we’ve got the waves
This is the only place
This is the only place for me”
The duo (Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno), sharing the stage with three additional backing performers, played several songs from their brand new album, California Nights (Harvest Records).
Halfway through Best Coast’s set, Cosentino shined over the waves of distortion and showcased her voice in “I Don’t Know How,” showing the crowd that this girl can not only shred on the guitar, but can belt out angsty love songs with the best of ‘em. The group powered through the rest of their set, which included the songs “Feeling Okay,” “Jealousy,” and album title track “California Nights.”
Best Coast took a brief pause before returning to the stage for their encore, comprised of an Oasis cover of “The Hindu Times” and a dedication of their song “Boyfriend” to love of all kinds after the landmark ruling for equal rights earlier that day.
For a dose of West Coast love and breezy indie pop, Best Coast is a must-have for this summer’s soundtrack.
– Submitted by Carly Grimm, Music Design