Read previous – Shadow of the City 2021 // Japanese Breakfast + Long Beard @ White Eagle Hall
Double Double Whammy Records label-mates Long Beard and Yowler played Johnny Brenda’s in Philly on Sunday, April 23rd. The project of New Brunswick, NJ-based singer-songwriter Leslie Bear, Long Beard embarked on a short 3-date tour that included stops in Brooklyn, Philly, and DC. The last time we caught Long Beard, she was the opening performer at Shadow of the City 2021 in Asbury Park (coverage here). With shows few and far between, I jump at any chance to catch Long Beard live. Bear’s outstanding 2019 sophomore LP Means To Me (co-produced by Craig Hendrix of Japanese Breakfast) is an album I revisit frequently – her brand of guitar-driven indie pop is akin to the yearning songwriting style of Snail Mail, but dreamier in its delivery.
Long Beard mostly played Means To Me tracks, including standouts “Getting By” and “Sweetheart”; however, she also performed “Porch” and “Hates the Party” from her excellent 2015 debut LP Sleepwalker. In between songs, ethereal guitar loops played while Bear switched guitar tunings. The intimate setting and moody lighting of the venue paired perfectly with Long Beard’s performance.
While there’s no news on her next LP, Long Beard recently released her first new song in 4 years. A collaboration with Ryan Galloway (Crying, BUMPER), “Posters” is poppy and upbeat in its production but remains true to Long Beard’s characteristic sound. Hopefully, more new music is on the way – I’d love to hear more from this collaboration a la BUMPER’s pop songs 2020. Watch the music video for “Posters” below and keep scrolling to see more photos from the show including Philly-based Yowler.
