Indie's version of One Directioners came out in droves with their boyfriends to catch the very lovely Rubens of Lay It Down fame play at one of three sold-out Goodgod shows. OXBLVD warmed up the early crowd with a set that could have easily outshone the main act itself, with their city-slicking country blues tunes. Their tones were well executed, moving from the very sultry to, at times, a rollicking hoedown, harking back to Kings Of Leon's early work. They took on the queen of country with Dolly Parton's heartbreaking Jolene and transformed it amazingly into a fast-paced and rocking track.
Sures were next to take the stage and played to the bar that their predecessors set. The crowd lapped up their brand of slacker-esque surf rock, as the band produced melodic sounds and harmonies that filled the now-full room perfectly. What really stood out was their heavy and pumping percussion that gave their live set some ferocity that isn't as present on their EP. If anyone is going to Wavves, Sures are supporting and are worth getting there early for.
When The Rubens took to the stage it became apparent what so many had come out to hear. Fresh from three months putting together an album in New York, they were unbelievably flawless with a set of luscious blues tunes that proved the band is no one-trick pony. New tracks peppered the set and sounded as good, if not better, than anything else from them we have already heard. Songs were laden with affecting guitar melodies and beautiful vocals that allowed the lead singer to show off his raw style. More well-known songs such as My Gun have been touched up and perfected. The crowd cheered as Lay It Down hit its first chords, finally getting what most came out to see. The track sounded even more brilliant live with such a great depth of sound and emotion.
For a band that is basically in its infancy (they formed little more than a year ago), it's stunning what they have already created.
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