Fresh off of their sets at Athens Popfest the day before, Waxahatchee brought the show on the road over to Atlanta’s Terminal West with their current tour consisting of Outer Spaces and Palehound, all of which played Popfest. While Popfest allowed the three bands to mix it up with other artists at different venues around Athens, seeing the trio together as one bill was another reminder that today female-fronted bands are making some of the best and most compelling rock ‘n’ roll music around.
Waxahatchee
The thing about all three of these bands is that they bring a diversity throughout their songs, whether it’s straight rock ‘n’ roll with grungy guitars that rock the walls, or the quieter moments that further shows off their heartfelt songwriting. Each band brings their own unique spin to their music, but at their core each is bringing real, deeply personal music to the forefront. And through it all they are able to mix up their set list with some songs that lean more towards rock music, while other times they put their touch towards pop music, just with a lot more soul than you will find in radio pop.
Outer Spaces
The first band up was Baltimore’s (previously Athens, GA) Outer Spaces, a three piece band led by the lovable Cara Beth Satalino and flanked by Rob Dowler and Chester Gwazda. While Outer Spaces took much of the last summer to work on their new album, they were back on this tour with Waxahatchee behind their 2016 debut full length A Shedding Snake (Don Giovanni Records). With rugged guitars and steady rhythms, Cara Beth reels in the listener with warm vocals and songs of reflection. She has a presence on stage that’s hard not to be enamored in, while the songs take you through short journeys. There’s no doubt that Outer Spaces is a band on the rise.
Palehound
Up next was Boston-based Palehound who is led by singer/songwriter and guitarist Ellen Kempner alongside bandmates bassist Larz Brogan and drummer Jesse Weiss. Palehound is currently touring behind their sophomore album, A Place I’ll Always Go, released earlier this year via Polyvinyl. Palehound brings a technical lo-fi indie sound that mixes everything from grunge to folk. Since Palehound’s first release, the 6 song EP Bent Nail in 2013, Kempner has become known for her confessional songs about love and love lost, gaining momentum with each release. Her songs can at one moment exhilarate and the next crush you to the core. With bassist Larz Brogan dancing around stage with a huge smile on her face playing to each song, it’s no wonder that Palehound’s live show is so invigorating. Palehound is just one of those bands that make you feel – and no matter the emotion each song portrays, these songs make you feel alive right alongside the band.
Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield
To cap off the evening, Waxahatchee came out behind the brilliant new LP Out in the Storm, released this year via Merge Records. Alabama-raised and Philadelphia-based Katie Crutchfield fourth album as Waxahatchee is probably her best, and most accessible album yet. Not that this is a pop album meant for the radio by any means, but on Out in the Storm, Crutchfield continues to build upon what’s made her an indie darling over the last few years, with heartfelt and relatable lyrics that are deeply personal backed by lo-fi grunge that will scorch the sadness right out of you. Onstage Katie Crutchfield is a commanding presence with a quite confidence that allows her to fully release herself within her songs. This isn’t the completely shy introvert trying her best to release her demons onstage, instead you see Crutchfield as a flower that continues to bloom; unafraid to fully show herself, open, front and center. It’s that beaming confidence that she continues to spread at her shows – showing it’s okay to put your self out there.
Waxahatchee’s Allison Crutchfield
Backed by her all female band, including twin sister Allison Crutchfield on guitar and keyboard, the group played tight together throughout the night. With Allison, who released her own stunning solo album Tourist In This Town earlier this year, providing harmonies perfectly in sync as only twins can do, Waxahatchee played a mix of new songs, such as “Silver”& “Never Been Wrong”, and old songs like “Air”, “Under a Rock”, & “Piece and Quiet”. The band showed why Waxahatchee has been building such a buzz with each release – and once again showing that females sure can rock ‘n’ roll with the best of them.
Waxahatchee @ Terminal West Atlanta
These three bands all on one bill – Waxahatchee, Palehound, and Outer Spaces – is just further proof that female fronted bands are making some of the best, most interesting and certainly most compelling rock music today.
Check out Mike Gerry‘s photos from the show:
Waxahatchee is currently on tour in Europe, returning to the states for a new tour in November:
