Photos by Marc Fong // Written by Kevin Quandt //
White Denim with Sam Cohen //
The Independent – San Francisco
March 30th, 2016 //
It’s been almost two and a half years since Austin’s own White Denim graced the stage in the Bay Area. Sure, it’s not on a massive stage like Bill Graham Civic Auditorium while opening for The Flaming Lips and Tame Impala. Sure, they may have lost a few founding members in that time. However, with the release of their new album Stiff, they have found a new drive that is sure to take flight in 2016.
Former Apollo Sunshine frontman Sam Cohen took opening duties on this night as White Denim’s touring partner. Cohen’s 2015 debut solo release Cool It has gained some recent attention from these gigs and for good reason as songs like “Let the Mountain Come to You” are shiny diamonds waiting to be discovered. Cohen dialed up the psychedelia when you compare his solo act to Apollo Sunshine, and many were in agreement of the power of this first set at The Indy.
SF and the Bay Area have always helped White Denim in their hearts as they combine equal parts heart and technical chops while making rock ‘n’ roll truly fun again, this time with less leopard leotards and hair spray. “Had 2 Know (Personal)” was a ripping opener, delivered with precision to a seriously packed house. A true highlight was Stiff closing track “Thank You”, which acted as a breezy period to catch one’s breath. This show was only the “amuse-bouche” in the Bay Area for White Denim, as one has to think they are gearing up for lots of touring this year. Fine by me.
Setlist:
Had 2 Know (Personal)
Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)
Brain
Thank You
River to Consider
Real Deal Mama
Holda You (I’m Psycho)
Anvil Everything
I Start to Run
Limited by Stature
I Can Tell
(Unknown)
At Night in Dreams
Take It Easy (Ever After Lasting Love)
Cheer Up/Blues Ending
Shake Shake Shake
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