While not one for conspiracies, this reviewer discovered Chicago's Beach Bunny upon the release of their debut album 'Honeymoon' in February 2020.
At some point during Melbourne's first-to-fifth lockdown a second copy of the vinyl was sent to me, which apparently no one sent to me. Then a few months later I adopted a rabbit that looks just like the big fluffy lop on the album cover.So it seemed fitting that on this night (17 March), Beach Bunny would be playing at the closest venue to my house just a few hours after my big fluffy lop bunny got out of serious dental surgery.
As mentioned in nearly every review at the Croxton, it's not the best venue at times and that wholly depends on the band and the audience.
Tonight, it was an absolute dream. While not sold out, the crowd was enthusiastic, respectful and clearly very excited to see an artist that few of us would have expected to tour.
And Beach Bunny brainchild Lili Trifilio seemed just as surprised as anyone, finding such a fervent fan base so far from the band's native Chicago.
With a full band now, Trifilio wasted no time rolling out tunes from the debut and 2022's excellent follow-up 'Emotional Creature': 'Weeds', 'Promises', debut highlight 'Dream Boy', 'Cuffing Season', the TikTok viral hit 'Prom Queen', 'Oxygen' and 'Sports' among the standouts of the frenetic 19-track set.
Trifilio isn't reinventing the wheel; her emo-tinted, hooky, happy-sad indie pop is easy to reference with a handful of similar artists. But that somehow undersells just how good she is at writing songs that speak to people. And, importantly, songs for women and queer folk.
Tonight's crowd was an absolute joy to be a part of, and Trifilio remarked several times how quiet everyone was while she spoke between songs. She also admitted she was very tired, but managed to make it back out for an elated encore of 2018 EP single 'Painkiller', a treat for old fans.
After fans filed out, one noticeable thing was how the dance floor, just thirty minutes earlier packed tight with fans, was completely absent of trash. After decades of having to step over cans and cups leaving a venue, this was a weird shock.
More crowds like Beach Bunny fans, please – and more incredible, uplifting, inclusive and killer shows from talented artists like Trifilio, too.
