A Prosperous Proper Tour with Black Country, New Road

Black Country, New Road performing at The Regent Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez

FIRST HEADLINE North American TOUR + 2/3 SOLD OUT LA DATES

On their second stop in Los Angeles, UK emerging young band Black Country, New Road played to a rowdy yet modest audience at the sold out Regent Theater. The six piece ran through their latest album Live at Bush Hall, opting to completely ignore their first two records which have received critical acclaim and rushed the young artists to indie stardom. Due to the sudden departure of lead singer Isaac Wood last year, the band has adjusted to the loss and carried on with many of the members taking over vocal duties while retaining their respective plethora of instruments. With the group sharing that they would only be performing their single album as the newly formed band, it was of interest to see fan reaction at their live performances. After selling out a first show in downtown LA, their second was similar.

Fans packed out the general admission floor while few flocked to the balcony for a birds eye view. LA underground outfit Dummy opened the show with shoe gaze experimental alternative songs that the audience gravitated toward. After five tracks or so, members of Black Country, New Road began to appear on stage to tune their respective instruments. Every face was greeted with a loud applause from the audience, showing just how strongly they felt about this relatively new band. This was their first proper headline tour after all with stints opening for Black Midi and festival appearances.

Black Country, New Road performing at The Regent Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez

Once 10:15PM hit, the band walked on stage to David Guetta’s “Where Them Girls At” that prompted fans to chant “hey” several times. It was apparent that the group was excited to be in the states performing to sold out crowds. From then on, they performed most of Live at Bush Hall in order, along with fresher tracks “24/7 365 British Summer Time.” As previously stated, the uninsured notion of the audience being pleased with only new songs being performed was laid to rest right off the bat. During saxophonist, flutist, and lead vocalist Lewis Evans’ gorgeous performance of “Across the Pond Friend,” fans sang along to the chorus as well as in unison with bassist and vocalist Tyler Hyde on “Up Song.” An infectious feeling felt at the very back of the balcony where I stood.

Black Country, New Road performing at The Regent Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez

The set was concise but plenty. With a huge loss striking nearly at the cusp of their growing acclaim, Black Country, New Road put themselves to the test to carry on with guilt and burden, but with stronger bonds as well, all of which heavily influence the latest record. Through another perspective, audiences may have never heard the vocals of several members of the band that fans are now enjoying. Evans joked about how “badass” he would have looked if he had water company Liquid Death as a kid since it’s essentially water in a beer can. These tiny quips along with the opening intro music reminded those in attendance of just how young and fun these people are. One can argue their musical capabilities propel them to classical composers who should be performing at Walt Disney Concert Hall, but the fact that they’re a group of UK kids making methodical tracks about their lives; you can’t help but be blown away. The growth is only rising, and performing at prestigious venues such as the Disney Hall is not out of the realm of possibility. Black Country, New Road will get there on their own terms, carving a specific path as their name suggests. Check out the setlist here!

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!