The first time I saw Tennis live was back in April of 2012 was a couple of months after they had released their sophomore album Young & Old. I had been a casual fan since their first album Cape Dory, but once Tennis put out Young & Old, I was hooked. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to catch them live. My first live experience with the band was excellent to say the least. Tennis’ indie surf-pop is candy to the ears on recordings, but their jams are even sweeter in concert. Maybe it’s the added power of the live drums, or the precision of Patrick Riley’s guitar riffing, or maybe it’s the fact that Alaina Moore’s vocals are flawless live, but Tennis put on a seriously fun and energetic show.
Since catching Tennis in concert a couple of years ago the band have released the Small Sound EP (also excellent) and their third album Ritual in Repeat, which pretty much cemented them as one of my current favorite bands out right now. I didn’t think they would be able to get any better at perfecting their sunny version of aural bliss and they did just that and then some. If you haven’t had a chance to check out Ritual in Repeat, I highly suggest you do so, it is entertaining from start to finish and will most definitely be making one of the top spots on my ‘Best of List’ for 2014.
Lucky for me Tennis chose to make an SLC stop on their tour to promote the new album. At first I was bummed because I originally had plans the night of the show, but luckily things fell through.The plan that night was to show up late enough to Urban Lounge to miss the opener (I know I’m lame), which was Pure Bathing Culture. However, I did not arrive late enough and actually walked into the venue right as the band was about to begin their set. Let me tell you know how insanely relieved that my lameness did not prevent me from catching Pure Bathing Culture live, because they were absolutely captivating and amazing. I had never heard the bands romantic and dreamy tunes until that night and by the time they ended their set I was sold. I was actually so enthralled with their sound that as soon as the band arrived at the merch-table I immediately went up and bought their latest album Moon Tides, which is a straight up charming listen. Pure Bathing Culture had single-handedly restored my faith in catching openers’ sets, which as everyone knows can be hit or miss. Well it was a hit that night.
After being sufficiently warmed up by the opening band, I was now even more excited to witness some of Tennis’ new tunes played live. Upon the first note the crowd was whipped into a joyous dance party. One of the first things I had noticed when I arrived at the venue was how many more people were in attendance compared to the last time I caught one of their shows. The size of the crowd made me smile inside, it was nice to know that the bands hard work had been paying off and that wonderful sounds of Tennis had been spreading its way through the SLC scene. The whole band was on point just like the first time I saw them and they mixed their set up with several of the new songs and a bunch of my favorite tracks form their back-catalog. Moore and Co. were even nice enough to take a request from the crowd for their closing number. How cool is that?! Just like the opening band, I was sure to purchase Ritual in Repeat on vinyl on my way out the door.
The night was a tremendous success. I discovered a new great band in Pure Bathing Culture, I got to see Tennis perform live again, and I snagged two awesome albums. It was perfect way to spend a Friday night. I was surprised to find out later that that it was the first date of the second leg of the tour for both bands. Apparently neither needed any time warming up to playing on stage again after taking a 10 day break, because both Tennis and Pure Bathing Culture were spectacular!