Written by Gianna Capri
The breathtaking 18th century Piece Hall in Halifax in the UK welcomed the supergroup boygenius —Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker to the stage. The trio delighted a crowd of 5,500 in its first of two sold-out nights on August 22nd.
While Bridgers may carry the most recognition, she doesn’t overshadow her equally talented group members. All three possess the ability to craft meaningful melodies, and when their voices harmonize, it can evoke memories of the eighties group formed by Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt. This contemporary trio stands shoulder to shoulder with those legendary artists in terms of their exceptional musical prowess.
Devoted fans of boygenius had patiently lined up for hours ahead of the historic gates’ opening, eager to experience the evening’s performance. The iconic notes of Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ marked the arrival of boygenius, where the trio then kicked off their set with ‘With You Without Them,’ presented from backstage with their silhouettes projected to the anticipating crowd.
With just a self-titled EP and their latest album ‘The Record,’ this trio blends introspective ballads of challenges and sorrow with uplifting anthems of love, artistic expression, and freedom. Their performance tonight captivated a diverse audience, with a significant presence of many teenage girls and younger couples.
Adorned in coordinated suits, the band seamlessly transitions between rock riffs and folk melodies, as well as from anthems to captivating solos. Evident influences from artists like Tori Amos, Aimee Mann, and the late Sinead O’Connor shine through as the group delivers their evergreen Americana-infused tunes to their audience.
Effortlessly shouldering their goddess-like duties, the band provides their fanbase not only with enjoyable and light-hearted moments, but also with narratives of everyday life and guidance for navigating the complexities of life’s trials.
The trio delivered their captivating rendition of the beloved ‘Twenty Dollars’ and the flowing ‘True Blue,’ as well as ‘Souvenir,’ although it temporarily halted due to a medical incident in the audience. In a playful gesture, the delightful ‘Boyfriends,’ an unreleased song, was humorously dedicated to the boyfriends in attendance. As the band wrapped up their performance, they treated the crowd to encore performances of ‘Ketchum, ID,’ and ‘Salt in the Wound,’ the latter of which prompted Bridgers and Dacus to engage in crowd-surfing.
Taking center stage in an extraordinary venue, boygenius flawlessly merged their distinct talents, treating the audience to a remarkable display of their collective brilliance. Their unforgettable performance went on for more than 2 hours and encompassed 22 songs.
The name “boygenius” carries a touch of irony, serving as a response to the multitude of underwhelming male artists who have been prematurely hailed as the next messiah without substantial merit. The added twist of irony lies in the fact that Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker have united their talents to create a winning formula that truly approaches genius on many occasions.
