Big O says:
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Rhian Daly, thefortyfive.com [reviewing the April 15, 2023 show]:
Huddled around one microphone, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker sing in beautiful harmony ‘Without You Without Them’, the opening song from their debut album ‘the record’. It’s a moment that sets the tone for the rest of the show - the three musicians always united, even if they’re spread across the stage.
Lyrically, ‘the record’ is full of intense emotions and seeing boygenius bring them to life on stage is all the more impactful; like that punch in the stomach Bridgers sings of in ‘Letter To An Old Poet’. But, instead of leaving you feeling triggered and bereft from your own personal trauma the songs remind you of, the band have a way of making you feel comforted. They barely say a word on stage, but seeing these women turn their own experiences into such a moving, flawless performance is like them throwing their arms around you and letting you lean on them, just like the billboard poster.
When they do take a moment to speak, it’s to deliver an important message – and another kind of support. “I don’t know if you’ve seen the tomfoolery that’s been going on in Florida and Missouri and some of the other places, but trans lives matter, trans kids matter,” Dacus tells the crowd to big cheers. “We’re going to fight it and we’re going to win.”
Before they continue with the music, Bridgers adds an extra point. “And abortion rocks, and fuck [Florida governor] Ron DeSantis.”
A few songs later, ‘Not Strong Enough’ begins, bright guitars spooling through the PA. “I don’t know why, I am/The way I am/Not strong enough to be your man,” they sing as the chorus hits. Tonight, though, boygenius are pillars tough enough for themselves, each other, and all of Coachella, inadvertently forming the best support group around.
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