The sultry summer breeze of a year gone past blew a generous crowd into the Enmore Theatre for the performance of American dream-pop band, Beach House. Intimate and air-conditioned, the Enmore Road showhouse provided the perfect venue for the American duo to ease in another year, beginning with an honest and emotional supporting set by innovative yet timid solo violin act, Wintercoats, who perfectly prepared punters for a night characterised by a slow, swooning sway.
Beach House took to the stage amidst a darkly lit backdrop that consisted of only a few retina-burning floor lamps behind metallic drapings, casting a heavenly glow over the band and drawing particular attention to frontwoman Victoria Legrand and her seemingly rough elegance. Opening with recent hit, Myth, the crowd of recovering partygoers and endearing couples immediately realised that they were in for a romantic set of clean ethereal guitars, splashing drums, and electric organ arpeggios as they welcomed the band with modest applause. However, it was Legrand’s soothingly raspy low tones and complimenting power notes that gave the night its moments, as the crowd floated to graceful tunes, mostly from their latest album Bloom, such as Other People and Lazuli, while later being blown away by the poignant harmonies of Wishes that crescendoed to the point of auditory ecstasy.
The hour-and-ten-minute-plus set was appropriate for the band’s recklessly laid-back sounds, finishing with a driving encore that had the crowd staying until the lights came on. However, it must be said that the stage lighting was as astonishingly stellar as the performance, with many members regretting leaving their sunglasses at home or in the car. Apart from this minor hindrance, the American duo brought a memorable performance, and I’m sure that many returned home satisfied and ready to face a new year.
