Photos by Chris Maroulakos via OwlandBear.com
Tickets to the June 25 tUnE-yArDs performance at the Troubadour in Los Angeles sold out. Admission was ridiculously inexpensive, but being in Los Angeles, I always put off buying them until last minute in hopes of an “in.” Turns out being overly patient and perhaps ignorantly confident was a bad idea, especially for an artist I like so much. Tickets were cleaned up and scalpers were selling them for up to five times as much.
Luckily for me, the final date of her w h o k i l l club tour took place only two hours south in my hometown of San Diego at the rising music venue Soda Bar. The snug setting creates inescapably intimate settings that leave little to the imagination. If a band takes the stage at Soda Bar and they know what they are doing, you are walking away with a vividly memorable experience. With that said, I’m happy that I did not find my way into the Troubadour. Soda Bar was a much needed life saver. If you ever go there and run into Peter, give him a holler for me. I owe him at least that.
San Diego's Soda Bar
I got in time to see Rafter, an energetic, charming husband and wife lead trio that play Bryne inspired beach jams. The San Diego local band made several shout outs to tUnE-yArDs singer Merril Garbis. They were just as excited as we were. Their enthusiasm got the night start appropriately and set the right tone. Soon after, Garbis would take the stage accompanied by bassist Nate Brenner and her sax duo. What came soon after was just ridiculous.
On record, tUnE-yArDs packs larger than life energy. Her voice shape shifts from monster to angel while her productions constantly loop themselves into crazed party starters. The exact same takes place in a live setting but with a theatrical pulse. The group cover their faces in war paint and sport snake necklaces. Merril constantly interacts with the crowd and keeps them on their feet. In return, they give her the necessary adrenaline rush to turn her two album discography to life.
There lies the beauty of a tUnE-yArDs show. Music that seems impossible to emulate live somehow becomes destined for the stage. Sure, Merril uses a loop pedal, so some snob can argue that it is only real to an extent, but no joke, when she layers endless drum beats and vocals on top of each other to start each song, you get goose bumps every time. From there, she puts on a show, commanding the stage like a crazed maniac you cannot take your eyes off of. About now is where I would start telling you which songs were the coolest to see Merril tear through, but honestly, it would be pointless. From start to finish, her set was insane. This might sound lazy, but take your favorite tUnE-yArDs song, be it “Gangsta,” “Bizness,” or “Fiya,” and she murdered earth with it. Mine happens to be “You Yes You” and that live rendition alone could have sent me home breathless.
The San Diego date closed the tour, but more tUnE-yArDs appearances will be made. If you plan on attending Outside Lands, put them on your must see list. Merril Garbis will shock you.
For some awesome photos of the show, check out Owl and Bear.
Fan made videos:
 on http://quitmumbling.com){kind=link}