Let me just start off by saying I feel like I’ve waited forever for this show. The last time beabadobee (i.e., the stage moniker of Filipino-British singer and songwriter Bea Kristi) played Philly was at this very same venue almost exactly 2 years ago (on her first North American tour opening for Clairo). Sadly, I was on a family vacation and had to miss out (stupid Disney World). Shortly after that, it was announced that she would play SiriusXM Alt Nation’s Advanced Placement Tour (along with Taylor Janzen and Eliza & The Delusionals) – the Philly date was planned for March 2020, so you can guess what happened there. So, finally, here we are. My apologies for belaboring these points, but this context is important to highlight my anticipation and excitement for this show.
Tonight’s show at Union Transfer on 11/2 was just the 2nd date of beabadoobee’s North American tour and she brought along openers BLACKSTARKIDS and Christian Leave. I’d recently previewed BLACKSTARKIDS, but I was clearly not prepared for their live show. The energy and showmanship they bring to the stage really must be witnessed live and in person to fully appreciate the trio of Ty, Deoindre, and The Babe Gabe. While still relative newcomers, I predict some headlining and/or festival dates in their future. FYI, they just released a brand new music video for their track “I HATE BEING IN LOVE” from their recently released debut LP Puppies Forever. The album title might be a little goofy, but their live show is no joke.
My first introduction to beabadoobee wasn’t the ubiquitous “Coffee”, but instead the deeply sad and personal 2018 track “Susie May“. Listening to those early hushed acoustic lo-fi/bedroom tracks, I would’ve never predicted the trajectory of her career as a bonafide rock star signed to the same label as (and co-writing with members of) The 1975. While there might appear to be a sonic dichotomy between beabadoobee’s quieter versus rock tracks, her songs can work either way (which she proves on her Bedroom Sessions version of 2019’s Loveworm EP) – case in point is her acoustic Bedroom Session of “You Lie All The Time“. Because of my earliest exposure to beabadoobee, I tend to gravitate toward her quieter and emotional ballads like “Animal Noises” (from the Our Extended Play EP) and “How Was Your Day?” (from Fake It Flowers). However, tracks like “Last Day On Earth” and “He Gets Me So High” straight up slap and bring me back to the pre-aughts when my musical preferences were being cultivated.
Kristi and co. played a set heavily taking from Fake It Flowers, but also delighted with older downtempo tracks like “Disappear” and “Tired”. They ended their regular set with a gleeful performance of “Last Day on Earth” before being exuberantly welcomed back to the stage for a 2-song encore. A few measures into performing “Coffee” (the first song she ever wrote), Kristi realized that her guitar was too out of tune to continue and took that re-tuning time to talk to the audience. It was at that time she confessed that she actually hates coffee and then a fan gifted her with an amazing Flavortown blanket that she gladly displayed – they ended the night with crowd-favorite “Cologne”. All said, the wait for this show was definitely “Worth It”.
Keep scrolling to see more photos from the show, including openers BLACKSTARKIDS and Christian Leave.
