Girls is not just another indie rock band. The San Francisco-based duo is more or less the product of decades of punk and rock influences. While on tour promoting their album “Father, Son, Holy Ghost,” the band stopped in Phoenix March 3 and proved the diversity of its sound.
Just about each and every lyric and hook in the “Father, Son, Holy Ghost” shares meaning and influence in its inception. From lead vocalist Christopher Owens' coarse vocals to Chet White’s powerful bass, the critically acclaimed band uses its songs as tools to elicit nostalgia. Every song they play contains a sense of familiarity that enables the band to connect on a deeper level with their audience.
On its spring tour that started in Australia in January and will end at Coachella in April, Girls packed downtown Phoenix's Crescent Ballroom for a sold-out show. The venue’s close proximity to ASU's Downtown campus ensured a large gathering of students at the concert, dividing the room into two separate crowds of underage concertgoers and older fans.
The evening got off to a late start as the crowd waited 45 minutes from the scheduled start time for the opening act, Earthmen and Strangers, to take the stage at 9:15 p.m. The generic indie rock band put together an adequate performance as the audience impatiently anticipated the impending headlining act.
As Owens and the gang took the stage, the crowd finally exhaled and prepped for the upcoming set. From the second Owens began singing, the entire audience attentively took in each and every hook and lyric. At one end of the spectrum, excited high school and college students packed an energetic under 21 section. The younger, trendy and vivaciously dressed crowd made sure to sing along and dance. Meanwhile, those in the 21 and over section enjoyed the evening in a more mellow way.
With roses adorning the microphone stands as a possible metaphor of the band's beautiful and sharp demeanor, the band opened with “Laura,” a favorite off of their 2010 album “Album.”
Many different bands and influences presented themselves through Owens’ stage presence as the band played through their hour-long set. Whether it was his sandy blonde hair, the droves of adoring fangirls, or his pure emotion, Owens showed many artistic traits similar to those of Kurt Cobain. In regards to the deliverance of these expressive songs, his voice sounded like none other than Elvis Costello’s.
The band had moments of surf rock as they jammed through “Honey Bunny” and transitioned to the fast-paced and hard-rocking “Die” toward the end of its set. This diverse use of sounds continued to be a theme throughout the night.
The band made little time socializing with the audience, which was not a problem for enthusiastic fans awaiting the next song. The set underwent several tempo changes throughout the show and ended with a three-song finale.
From the onstage roses to the appeal of frontman Christopher Owens, Girls provided a sensory experience in addition to their live music. That is what a concert should be about, after all. Owens jived and grooved for some numbers and stayed motionless for others. As his band followed in unison, the tone constantly changed based on the song and emotions in the venue. The deep connection Girls achieved through their stage presence with audience members left them satisfied and eager for the next time they could see the band perform. Owens left the crowd on a tease after the encore concluding, “See you guys next time.”
The show may have started late, but it was definitely worth the wait. Reach the reporter at mbobman@asu.edu
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