While Sunflower Bean have been around since 2013, there critically acclaimed sophomore album Twentytwo in Blue has catapulted this New York based trio into the stratosphere.
Touring like maniacs in support of this release, they stopped in to the Entry on Wednesday night to a packed house and rocked the room hard.
First up was Public Access T.V. These guys are proof that while rock may be on life support, it ain’t dead yet. These guys came out balls to the wall and just oozed cool. The four band members just ripped into it, and looked like they were playing for a basement full of friends. PATV has a Joe Jackson meets Tom Petty vibe, hooky garage rock jams. Highlights of the set included “In Love And Alone ” The set pulled heavily from their Street Safari release.
Sunflower Bean came on right around and started the evening with “Burn It”, the opening tune on Twentytwo. It was immediately clear that band is much larger than a sum of its parts. It was hard to believe this sonic maelstrom was coming from just 3 people. The solid wall of sound gave a heavy twist to the recorded versions of the set list. Guitarist Nick Kivlen delivered riff heavy guitar, mystical and sludgy.
Singer/Bassist Julia Cumming packs a heavy punch in a small package. Her voice and stage presence belie her adolescence. Cumming showed exceptional vocal range on “Easier Said”, and watching the crowd sing along with the chorus was one of the cooler moments of a way cool show. “Harvest Moon”, a Neil Young cover, was another highlight of the set.
Tinges of punk could be heard in another crowd pleaser, “Crisis Fest”. There is a raw honesty to their music and their lyrics that is both relatable and fresh. The band was having a blast on stage, and the happiness was infectious.
Thought just barely old enough to drink, Sunflower Bean rocked the Entry hard and are certain to be in a much bigger venue the next time they come through the Twin Cities.
