- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of New Times free.
Downtown's indie rock mecca hosted Vivian Girls on their last go-round
in Phoenix, and the improvements in their live set were gashes beyond
what this reviewer was expecting. What were unhinged vocals with
missing clarity have now become harmonies that still achieve a raw
edge, but actually sound prepared. Stage presence also developed over
the course of a few seasons, with a far more comfortable vibe coming
from the band.
Critics Notebook:
Last Night: Vivian Girls, The Pods and Chandails at Modified Arts
Better than: P.O.D. at Modified Arts
Personal Bias: I'm not crazy in love the Vivs. I think they're all talented enough, and I do enjoy their music, but sometimes I'm not too sure of the substance there. I cannot entirely pinpoint where this feeling comes from, but, eh, there's my personal bias for you.
Random Fact: Vivian Girls got their name from Henry Darger's In the Realms of the Unreal.
Further listening: An ode to our homeland, "The Desert."
Keep Phoenix New Times Free... Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Phoenix with no paywalls.
