Live Review + Gallery | The Beaches @ SWX, Bristol

The Beaches

SWX, Bristol

31st August 2024

Photography by @vancitykris

Daisy Kennedy

Daisy is a Bristol based freelance writer, mainly producing work for theatre and screen, but especially loves to write about music and live events. Prone to a good dance and the occasional crowd surf.

The Beaches took to Bristol’s SWX for a night of catharsis, crowd work and chaos

Saturday night in SWX may typically conjure images you want to forget. Luckily, no one will be forgetting The Beaches sell out show on the last day of August.

The Toronto based band have been going for over 10 years. Having been dropped by Universal Records during COVID, they rose from the ashes to international fame in 2023 with viral song ‘Blame Brett’. Fresh from Reading and Leeds Festival, they are in Bristol for one night only, before continuing on their sold out tour.

With almost 2,000 people it was bursting at the seams and with the band attracting mainly a younger crowd, friends clung together, holding drinks above their heads, weaving through the crowd trying to get a better view before the gig began.

After a rockstar entrance and rockstar reaction from the crowd, the four piece immediately command the stage, rousing feral screams with hair flips and air kisses. They open with ‘Cigarette’, a cheeky pop infused track about flirting with someone after a break up. Reminiscent of The Last Dinner Party‘s performance style The Beaches are unapologetic and bold, pushing the limits with on stage kisses, going into the crowd and talking candidly and personally. ‘You guys must have the best asses in the country’ Miller states after describing walking up The Christmas Steps during the day.

They conjure images of living fast with modern heartbreak with many songs about past relationships and longing. ‘Shower Beer,’ an anthem about FOMO, feels chaotic in the best way, encompassing the energy of the ‘Blame My Ex‘ album in general.

‘Me & Me’, a rousing anthem about being single really shows off Miller’s vocal ability and unique tone, with 1,800 people clapping quickly in unison, whipping up the energy, before The Beaches fell into ‘Kismet’, a tongue in cheek ode to running into the same love interest repeatedly. ‘The Edge of The Earth‘ being a less drum heavy number was the perfect chance for Earl to show off her guitar skills; it had a vulnerability to it, a queer tale about falling in love with a girl for the first time.

After a taste of their new track ‘Jocelyn,’ they dedicated their final song ‘Blame Brett’ to Love Island star Tommy Fury, with the first note eliciting a seismic reaction from the crowd. It was a postcard of catharsis with audience members holding up names of their exes and jumping up and down fanatically.

The Beaches have something special; their rapport and familiarity translates into their music and performance and it’s obvious after years of touring and making music together, the pop punk quartet have found their groove. It’s without a doubt that with their powerful stage presence, loyal fandom and catchy tunes, The Beaches are going to become even more of a force with their next album.

The Beaches are Jordan Miller (lead vocals, bass) Kylie Miller (guitar, backing vocals), Leandra Earl (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals) Eliza Enman-McDaniel (drums).

Check out the full gallery below: