From the moment they began, the band’s infectious energy filled the room, bringing the attention of the bumbling crowd back to the stage and creating a welcoming atmosphere that was especially commendable for an opener. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Charlie Martin and Will Taylor appear in front of blank white curtains with simple yet stark lighting. The duo’s chemistry was palpable, with an impressive sharing of vocals that wasn’t possessive in any way, complementing their sound and engaging the audience right from the start. Sandwiched between Keni Titus, whose sound more closely resembles the headliner with a delightful yet angsty folk-rock fusion, and the headliner herself, Beabadoobee, Hovvdy provided a steady vibe of surf rock/midwest emo eclecticism that balanced out the other sets.
Hovvdy’s performance and presence reminded me all too well of a class UC Berkeley college band show, resonating with a local charm that immediately matched the dilettantish mix of the crowd. On their third song “Make Ya Proud,” I saw couples dancing (and more…) in the middle of the pit swaying to the beat despite not knowing the lyrics. Above the happy couples, phone flashlights glimmered above from the mezzanine level waving back and forth in sync with the music, creating a visual spectacle that enhanced the experience for myself and the band. It was a charming juxtaposition against the more subdued, almost static energy from the rest of the crowd, who stood idly on their phones (a slightly expected sight given their role as the opening act.)
One critique of the night was the layout of the stage, which felt a bit spread out, making it hard to focus on the bass and drums—elements that were unfortunately underlit and awkwardly positioned. At first, I thought it was a mistake as the entire stage was lit except for the bass and drums, yet to my dismay, as the set progressed no changes were made. By the end, I understood that their intention was to represent Hovvdy as the duo and not with their accompaniment, but it made me more attentive to the bass and drums as if they were the underdogs.
After a while, I moved up to my seat in the upper balcony, taking in a glimpse of the concertgoers filling up the enormity that is the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Beabadoobee even noted this was her biggest venue on tour. While Hovvdy’s music occasionally leaned towards repetition—specifically in the chorus or outros—it was far from a negative. Each song resonated well with the audience, proving to be catchy and enjoyable. In fact, the band’s versatility similarly shone throughout the setlist, which flowed seamlessly from one song to another. Their song “Blindsided” in particular, showcased a slight country-rock influence, complete with a southern drawl that added a refreshing twist to their sound. Though I only knew a few of their songs before their set, every song they played I wanted to listen to again and immediately added to my queue for the BART ride back to Berkeley.
In the end, Hovvdy delivered a solid set that provided a much-appreciated break from the California bands typically dominating the scene. Their blend of good vibes, catchy tunes, and authentic stage presence left the audience buzzing. Their performance was a delightful continuation from Keni Titus to a night filled with music and vibrance.
Review by Molly Ho, photography by Izzy Hory