REVIEW: Tanukichan, Alex G, and Alvvays at Artpark (9/1/23)

With an evening full of dream pop and shoegaze, the final concert of the 2023 Artpark summer season, was an absolute delight and monumental success.

The bill included a surprise opening act by Tanukichan (lead singer and bassist, Hannah van Loon, guitarist Jared Mattson, and drummer, Joe Lyle), which helped create the perfect atmosphere for the evening’s following acts. Smoke billowing from the wings and lights turned low, the mood was set.

As Tanukichan (an ethereal shoegaze ensemble) left the stage to make way for Alex G, the crowd went from cheers of applause to a roar of excitement. It felt as if witnessing the surge of Beatles fans in their North American tour, only later rivaled by the rapture heard by the crowd as Alvvays entered.

Accompanied by Sam Acchione on guitar, John Heywood on bass, and Tom Kelly on drums, Alex G stepped out on stage with who you could tell were his friends, ready to entertain a full amphitheater of adoring fans. There was an obvious comradery among the musicians, as they each took position behind their instruments, with Alex first sitting behind a keyboard; nearing the end of a months-long tour.

Tentative as Keaton Henson, albeit not nearly as demure, Alex appeared rather shy at first, as he glanced out to the audience before singing his first notes. Playing, eyes closed for the majority of his first song, I was reminded of his background on YouTube, performing alone behind a camera, and how drastically different the setting now was. But as the song ended and he stood, now taking place more center stage, guitar in hand, I saw Alex effortlessly transform and shine before our very eyes.

It was not lost on me why, despite his foremost description of folk, he was on tour with Alvvays. His lo-fi, jangle-esque folk resembled elements of Built to Spill and Guided by Voices, with some obvious influence of Tom Petty in both his lyrics and many of his melodies (particularly in his song “Miracles”). Similarly, the harmonization of the band was so effortlessly synchronized, that it resembled that of Fleet Foxes, and I was truly impressed by how much they all enjoyed working together and the efforts cultivated throughout the tour.

Frequently playing with his back to the audience, and moving about the stage, Alex appeared truly at home upon the stage. It was akin to witnessing an impromptu jam session, rather than a mere performance, which brought a special and indescribable life to the entire experience, helping to transport the entire crowd into a small garage and the most pristine atmosphere to experience such intangible music. It speaks volumes of such a well-known act, to be able to take a massive venue and make it feel so intimate, and Alex G was able to do so with impeccable ease.

Impressed by Alex and his band’s performance, and their command over the captivated crowd, I nearly missed the clever and rather cheeky lyrics of his songs. A mixture of romance and longing, coupled with Christian overtones (as his latest album is titled “God Save the Animals”), Alex G’s lyricism reminded me of Elliott Smith and Jeff Buckley, with a contradictory and almost sardonic melodic style, similar to Ugly Casanova.

Alex exited the stage at the end of his performance to an uproar of applause and screams from the audience, a performer truly adored by his fans, and rightfully so. Every musician on stage with him was absolutely masterful and the set list was impeccable. Including his songs “Runner”, “After Ur Gone”, “Mission”, and “Brick”, it was a truly transformative experience to witness Alex G live.

Followed by headliner, Alvvays (pristine vocalist, Molly Rankin; keyboardist, Kerri MacLellan; guitarist, Alec O’Hanley; drummer, Sheridan Riley; and bassist, Abbey Blackwell), and their mystifying jangle pop (akin to Jesus and Mary Chain meets Slowdive), Alex G proved to be the perfect accompanying tour act. Accompanied by Kat Borderud and their masterful lighting design, the entire night was like a fever dream of serenity, one I will forever remember as one of the best concerts I have ever attended.