Best Coast

Best Coast have long been one of my favourite bands. Lo-fi and loveable Bethany Costentino and her band mate, Bobb Bruno make for a formidable team on the surf-pop and laid back garage L.A rock scene. Primarily influenced by 50’s and 60’s surf rock, Best Coast’s brand of west coast rock pop is instantly catchy and yet somehow manages to steer clear of being kitsch. The perfect embodiment of this quality is surely their single, “Boyfriend” from their debut album, ‘Crazy for You’ (2010); I challenge anyone to get the infectious refrain, “I wish he was my boyfriend” out of their heads after just one listen.

Admittedly, their song composition is simplistic and the basic verse/bridge/chorus structure along with straightforward, repetitive lyrics may seem a little naïve to some, but to Best Coast fans, this is the essence of their appeal. Simple, basic and repetitive transforms into unpretentious, classic and unforgettable when these two are involved. And this is still present in their latest release, ‘The Only Place’ (2012) albeit in a more polished fashion than previous releases. I (finally) got the opportunity to see them live at Reading Festival in 2011, after having obsessed over such tracks as the dark and ominous, “Honey,” the bitter-sweet “Our Deal,” (the music video for which was directed by Drew Barrymore) and pouring myself over the music video for “Sun Was High (So Was I)” – a heart wrenching excerpt from the Claude Lelouch French New Wave film, ‘Un homme et une femme’ – for months. It must be said, I was sceptical about the festival tent setting for seeing Best Coast live for the first time, but, of course, they did not disappoint. Much like their music, their performance was simple and genuine: airtight and precise in execution, yet passionate and charmingly entertaining. I cannot wait to catch them next time around and highly recommend seeing them live, no matter what the setting.

Some bands’ trajectories can be measured simply in terms of critical or commercial success; for Best Coast, though, it’s easiest to chart their short career to date in terms of the level of distortion in their sound. On their early singles, Bethany Cosentino’s voice was so washed out that the lyrics were difficult to make out, whilst layer after layer of scuzzy guitar created a hazy backdrop. By the time they put out a debut record, Crazy for You, they’d cleaned things up a little bit, but were still generally sounding a little rough around the edges; that’s mainly why it was so shocking, with follow-up The Only Place, that they suddenly sounded crisp, clean, and polished. As jarring as that sounds, though, it’s actually translated very neatly to their live shows; Crazy for You material never sounded quite as lo-fi live, anyway, especially in terms of Cosentino’s vocals, which were never quite as unclear. Given that there’s inevitably some live fuzz lent to The Only Place’s pop sheen, too - particularly in terms of Bobb Bruno’s guitars - you’ve actually got a full set of songs that sound pretty similar, and the band certainly fire through them with a consistent level of vigour. Look out for the odd surprise dropped in there, too; Cosentino’s cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Storms’ is an absolute treat.

Best Coast, the duo made up of Bethany Cosentino and
Bobb Bruno has gained huge critical acclaim since their incarnation in 2009. Having only released two albums to date, the band has also amassed a huge following for their classic surf rock sound. There is a natural, garage-like feel to the band's rock and this really appeals with the British audiences who flock to their shows in droves whenever Best Coast visit.

Starting the anticipated show with a grungey rendition of 'The Only Place' the crowd explode in excitement partly to the surprise of the band who look partly bemused, partly confused. They capitalise on the enthusiasm and run through 'Last Year' and 'Summer Mood'. They transform the dull, uninteresting O2 Academy in Birmingham into awash of surf and summer in an instant. The hazy blue/pink light illuminates the duo and the psychedelic guitar riffs push the surf vibe out onto the crowd.

By the finale of 'Sun Was High (So Was I)' and 'Boyfriend', perhaps the band's best known track the crowd can practically smell the sea. The duo performs a huge extended rendition to wrap off the show and keeps the audience cheering rapturously long after they have departed the stage.

Saw them with paramore a few days ago at Massey hall :) i know they were openers, but I still wish more people there were fans because then If everyone else was singing I’d have sung louder too.

Ah well, can’t have everything. I’ll catch them on tour when they headline for sure, they put a great show on.

They played eleven or ten songs and I Want To was one of them. If they ever cut that song out of the set list I think I’m gonna cry XD that’s one of my favourite songs of all time and I think it translated so well live.

Maybe it was the nervous feeling of performing in front of people who don’t know your material, but I feel like the stage energy was kinda low. Bethany still sung beautifully and bobs guitar skills are amazing.

Best coast was amazing. So glade they went on tour with Paramore. The place was awesome too. The MGM Natonal Harbor was gorgeous. The only thing that was lame is that the floor had seating and we were not allowed to stand up at the railing. They made us sit back down. I've seen Paramore 4 times before and the shows were pit/general admission. I proffer pit better than seating, it just didn't feel right. Still had fun tho. Great show.

I love Best Coast. I listen to them all the time and saw them headline at First Ave earlier this year. However, last nights performance at Northrop was underwhelming. The band seemed rushed and only played for like thirty minutes. It seemed like Bethany couldn't wait to get off stage and nearly sprinted as soon as the vocals were done in the last song. Disappointing, for sure.

I have seen Best Coast live many times and they always rock the house! Bobb Bruno is an amazing guitarist. I love his solo stuff too. Bethany is great fun and has a fantastic voice. I love their surf garage sound. They also have some songs reminiscent of the female vocalists of the 1960s. I love all of their records! To sum up “When I’m with You, I have Fun!”

California is the only place where I wish I was born and bands as Best Coast only makes me feel more into it. I love their style, the sound of the guitars, the lyrics, the atmosphere and of course, Bethany. The half and hour I spent there flew. This was one of the few concerts in which I love every single song. I would do it again with my eyes closed.

Loved the show! I just wish they'd tour more often.

But I didn't like the Novo theater. Nondescript entrance was very hard to find. Pillars blocked the view of the stage. TV screens also blocked the stage but at least projected the stage. Awful venue.

Amazing! Saw them the first time about a decade ago and they just keep getting better. Love them! Bethany and Bob still have that cute friendship; her vocals are awesome and bob can still shred. Applaud her sobriety- it’s definitely goals.