After getting the chance to talk with the delightful Emily Hope Price and Jeremy Styles of Pearl and the Beard, I was excited to see the band play in concert at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. They did not disappoint. Brian Bonz opened the night with a charmingly brazen set that mixed standup comedy with sugary songs about serious stuff. Franz Nicolay (formerly of the Hold Steady) delighted the audience with accordion, banjo, and guitar. With a waxed mustache, ostrich leather shoes, and a bottle of wine, he was part vaudeville act and part circus showman, but his songs were substantive and impressive.
Pearl and the Beard took the stage last and left a lasting impression. Far from the sugary pop group many reviews would lead you to believe they are, the trio played a soulful set that combined old favorites with newer tunes. Standouts included “Douglas, Douglas,” “Sweetness,” and a new as-yet-untitled track that the band had never played live. “Just keep in mind,” Styles told the crowd, “that this is the worst we will ever play this song.”
Needless to say, it was stellar. Pearl and the Beard closed with “Oh, Death,” and nearly the entire audience sang along, lending the trio a hand. I came into the show a fan; I left a believer.
DOWNLOAD: Pearl and the Beard - Reverend (MP3) or Follow us for more Pearl and the Beard MP3s (Twitter)
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
thanks so much nadine! probably the best compliment a photog can get!
and thanks for reminding me to embed the video in the post too!
by Steve Benoit on Sun May 20, 2012 at 09.33 am from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
I can’t get over how these photos captured my up close memory of the night.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 11.08 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Or should it be whoever? F my grammar.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.30 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Whomever took these photos certainly captured the night!
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.26 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
“Mindkilla” is awesome. I’ve got this music video last week and really impressed through watching every performance particularly “Glass Jar”. Thanks dude. :)
dance contest
by Mark Waugh on Thu May 17, 2012 at 05.54 am from the entry: Gang Gang Dance's Illuminating "Mindkilla"
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
love these, Chris!
Thanks Beth!