Concert Review: The Backseat Lovers at Stubb’s
Stopping in Austin for its “Waiting to Spill” tour, The Backseat Lovers drew a full crowd at Stubb’s on November 14, 2022.
Written by Miranda Garza
Photos by Roo Moody
The Backseat Lovers played a magnetic sold-out show at Stubb’s for its “Waiting to Spill” tour. A crowded line of fans stretched around the block as they anxiously awaited access into the outdoor venue. Bundled up in thick jackets and beanies, the night’s cold weather was not going to dim their ardor. Inside was indie-pop band Toledo, who opened the show with a short, yet sweet set. The group’s lighthearted sound was the perfect pregame for the headlining performance to come.
At approximately 9:12 p.m., The Backseat Lovers made their way onto the stage. A swarm of cheers immediately went silent as the first strums to “Silhouette” rang through the venue. The band disappeared among foggy orange stage lights, while lead singer and guitarist Joshua Harmon took center stage under a beaming spotlight. The audience stayed quiet while Harmon sang the opening verse, but immediately broke out into praise when drummer Juice Welsh queued into the song with a resonant drumbeat.
The now stark red stage lights reflected onto the crowd as the band continued with “Close Your Eyes.” The opening lines, “Do you wanna be like your father? / The older you get, your head’s getting hotter” echoed among the crowd members as they excitedly sang along with Harmon. Guitarist Jonas Swanson and bassist KJ Ward stood on opposite sides of the lead singer, intently playing the lively track. Harmon then traded his electric guitar with an acoustic for the plucky “Morning in the Aves,” where his tender vocals paired perfectly with subtle guitar strums. The seemingly soft track gradually gained momentum until it closed with a crest of instrumentals, a common theme within the band’s catalog.
Then followed the band’s first of many audience interactions of the night. “What’s up, you guys?” Harmon asked as he grabbed a bouquet of flowers from a fan in the front row and thanked them earnestly. The musicians quickly moved onto the dreamy “Growing/Dying.” The song’s lively atmosphere stayed grounded with a steady drumbeat that created the perfect sonic balance between the two. Welsh’s bass drum was covered with a realistic moon decal that stood out among the stage’s hazy purple stage lights. Bursts of colorful lights also flashed on stage, in perfect sync with sharp electric notes played by Harmon and Swanson.
Harmon timidly thanked the audience for waiting in the cold before moving on to the moving “Words I Used.” Swanson retreated to the keyboard behind him and played the ballad’s piano arrangement, which stood on its own until accompanying instrumentals joined in to create a sonic medley. Harmon switched back to his acoustic guitar for the strummy “Snowbank Blues.” Minimal instrumentation complimented the modest guitarwork as Harmon sang poignant lines, “Wish I could roll the windows down / But the snow has swallowed up our little town.”
After the song, the lead singer took to the audience again and warmly expressed his gratitude for the crowd. “Thank you guys for being here. It’s so crazy to hear you guys sing all of our songs and it means so much to me and to all of us,” he said with a shaky voice. Then, he retreated to the keyboard for the heartening “Follow the Sound.” The song’s upbeat piano patterns and jaunty drums created a wave of zeal that flushed over the audience.
Harmon checked in on the crowd, reminding them to let the band know if they needed anything and to keep an eye out for each other before jumping to “Slowing Down.” The heart of the song was embedded within its deep bassline, which Ward played effortlessly. A change in pace ensued with the upbeat “Know Your Name.” By this time, the temperature had slightly dropped, making the chilly weather more apparent, but audience members stayed warm by following the music and dancing in place.
At this point in the show, Harmon asked for a round of applause for Toledo and announced to anyone unaware that the band had been playing their latest album Waiting to Spill from start to finish and that they’d reached the last song. Thus began the soft strings of “Viciously Lonely,” where wholesome guitar patterns played delicately behind Harmon’s radiant cadence. The audience held up their phone flashlights and illuminated the dark outdoor venue. The end of the song was met with resounding acclamation. After a brief pause, Harmon reacted by saying, “Alright, let's get this show on the road!” signaling a move o nto some fan favorites.
The band kicked off its unspoken second act with hypnotic “Pool House.” The audience echoed through the venue as they sang back to the band. Harmon tackled his guitar solo head on as he shredded remorselessly and flipped his signature long hair back and forth. The band followed with its hit “Kilby Girl,” which was instantly met with cheers and exhilarated dance moves. The group continued with rhythmic “Maple Syrup” and groovy “Still a Friend” before Hamon kindly thanked the crowd once more and his bandmates departed from the stage. Unsatisfied, the audience began chanting “Sinking Ship! Sinking Ship!” demanding that the musicians come back to play the beloved gem. Moments after, they returned and did just that. They played the punchy track vibrantly and ended their encore with a crescendo of fervent instrumentals.
The energy and appreciation from both the audience and band alike made the show a spirited environment for everyone in attendance. The Backseat Lovers will return to Austin on March 17, 2023 at the Moody Amphitheater for its U.S. and Canada tour. This gives fans the opportunity to reunite with their favorite band for a night, while first-timers will get a chance to see the remarkable performance for themselves.