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Bad Suns on Tour
The third full-length from L.A. band Bad Suns, Mystic Truth gets its title from a piece of art that vocalist Christo Bowman stumbled upon while visiting London's Tate Modern on tour. Created by Bruce Nauman in 1967, the neon-and-glass piece spells out a possibly paradoxical statement in blue spiraled cursive: "The True Artist Helps the World by Revealing Mystic Truths."
"I thought that connected back to the message of the record, which is about finding the extraordinary in very simple things, even though we're living in a very dark time right now," says Bowman, whose bandmates include guitarist Ray Libby, bassist Gavin Bennett, and drummer Miles Morris. "Instead of succumbing to that darkness, I think you've got to try to hold onto some optimism, and try to uncover those simple miracles so you don't lose the plot of what's really important."
Produced by Dave Sardy (The Head and the Heart, The Black Angels, Oasis), Mystic Truth channels that searching quality into songs with a powerful sense of purpose. In creating the album, Bad Suns recorded at the legendary Sunset Sound and at Sardy's home studio, building on the melodic brilliance first glimpsed on their debut album Language & Perspective—a 2014 release that hit #24 on the Billboard 200 and led to massive tours supporting Halsey and The Neighbourhood. At the same time, the band amps up the intensity of their 2016 sophomore effort Disappear Here (praised as their "most dynamic and introspective work yet" by Alternative Press), giving way to a more emotionally urgent merging of rock & roll, post-punk, and pop.
Right from the album-opening "Away We Go," Bad Suns reveal the timeless sensibilities at the heart of Mystic Truth. With its soaring vocals, majestic piano melodies, and fiery guitar tones, the song unfolds as a brightly anthemic battle cry. "‘Away We Go' was mostly inspired by us growing up and really being adults for the first time, and trying to make sense of all that," says Bowman, who co-founded Bad Suns at age 17. "It's about learning how to make decisions for yourself, and sometimes just going for something and blindly trusting that it's going to work out."
While Mystic Truth bears a certain classic simplicity, Bad Suns also infuse the album with its share of sonically surprising moments: the ethereal pop of "A Miracle, A Mile Away," the melancholy waltz of "Darkness Arrives (And Departs)," the shapeshifting piano balladry of "Starjumper." Woven with Bowman's sharply reflective lyrics and finely detailed storytelling, the album also delivers a number of love songs, from the punchy pre-breakup track "The World and I" to the starry-eyed "Love By Mistake" to the starkly tender "Separate Seas." ("I've been in a long-distance relationship since my girlfriend moved to Miami—she works for an airline so she's always flying," says Bowman of "Separate Seas." "That song's about those nights of staying up and staying on speaker phone with one another till really late, even when there's nothing to say.") And on "Hold Your Fire," Bad Suns offer up a solemn yet cinematic meditation on acceptance. "It's about a relationship that's not working out, and it represents that moment when you decide to just accept that it's over instead of trying to fight," Bowman says.
One of the most epic tracks on Mystic Truth, "One Magic Moment" captures a restless determination with its thunderclap rhythms, sprawling guitar lines, and shimmering piano work. As Bowman explains, the song's title partly speaks to its enchanted origins. "We'd been jamming all day and nothing was happening, and all of a sudden there was this shift in the air," he says. "Gavin had started playing this chord progression, and the song just came together when we were least expecting it, like magic."
For Bad Suns, chasing that magic has always formed the essence of the band. With Bowman and Bennett first meeting in seventh grade, the two near-lifelong musicians eventually linked up with Libby and Morris and spent their teenage years working their way through the L.A. music scene. After dropping a demo off in the mailbox at alt-rock radio station KROQ, Bad Suns saw their breakthrough single "Cardiac Arrest" played on the famed Locals Only radio show, and quickly landed a deal with Vagrant Records. The band then made their debut with the 2014 EP Transpose, and soon widened their following by hitting the road with bands like The 1975.
Newly signed to Epitaph Records, Bad Suns found the making of Mystic Truth to be especially charmed. "Recording this album was like a neverending dream—there were times when it felt like we were pulling songs out of the air," he says. One of the most memorable moments for the band took place on a writing trip in Palm Springs, during which they stayed in a mid-century dome house overlooking the nearby wind farm. "We were playing late at night and looking out at all the stars and the windmills, and ‘Hold Your Fire' just came out of nowhere, which felt really special," Bowman recalls.
Over the years, Bad Suns have invited those bursts of inspiration by endlessly opening themselves up to new ideas, often by immersing themselves in art or literature—"Starjumper," for instance, references a passage from Russian novelist Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita. That approach undeniably shaped the emotional undercurrent of Mystic Truth, an album both intimate and universal in scope. "I always want people to be able to insert their own lives into the songs that we create," Bowman points out. "When you're able to unite people through music, even if we're all coming from totally different circumstances and different places in life—to me that's one of the most intense levels of connection you can possibly have."
I was excited to see Bad Suns The Accelerator tour to hear a good mix of their older and recent albums. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they integrated their projects and put on a great show! Thank you for a fun night!
Fun, poppy, lighthearted show! Great hits! The opener, Yot Club, was awesome too!
Sounds incredible live, great energy and great set list. So happy we were able to finally see them live. Wish they played more shows
Love Bad Subs music, but didn’t know what to expect from their live show. I was blown away. Christo Bowman is hands down one of the best overall performers I have seen. I go to a lot of shows and have a lot of basis for comparison. I’d say he ranks up there with Andrew McMahon as just a force of nature than can carry a show. If they come anywhere near me ever again, I’ll be there to see the show. I’m a fan for life.
This was my third time seeing them and they put on an amazing show every time i’ve seen them. Christo’s stage presence is truly unreal and he really does everything to pump the crowd up. I got the VIP experience and he remembered me from the last time I got to meet them which made the whole thing even better. This wasn’t my first and definitely isn’t my last time that I will be seeing them and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next in their adventure🥰
Bad Suns were fantastic as usual! We see them every time they come to Dallas. The opening band Yot Club were great as well. HOB of Dallas always provides ADA seating for us as my son is autistic and the staff is always wonderful. We highly recommend the bands and the venue!
I've been listening to Bad Suns for 4 years now and they did not disappoint!! The concert was super engaging and a blast
Venue was perfect and small! Audio was clear without blaring. Bad Suns were awesome!
Bad Suns is an incredible band and they are incredible performers. The show was so interactive and fun, and I could tell that the band really cared about making it a good experience. Their songs are amazing, so upbeat and positive, and just feel like summer. Highly suggest going!
Ace of Spades is an intimate but welcoming entertainment venue in Sacramento. If you are into new/small shows, this is a great place. First of all tickets are fairly priced. There are great upgrade options as well. This show in particular had two opening bands. The Ramona Flowers was a great start - they've been around across the Pond for a while and had a few internationally known alternative hits. The lead singer (Steve Bird) oozes personality backed by great musicians. My favorite surprise of the night was Little Image. These young men from Dallas Texas came out swinging. Their charisma on stage was un-compared. Bass player Brandon played to the crowd, lead singer Jack has great range and drummer Troy even stood on his drum kit for a few minutes. For an opening band, their energy energy, enthusiasm and stage presence had the audience jumping their entire set. It's no wonder they had been in Sacramento opening for Joywave a few weeks before. Loved the camaraderie between the members - congratulations Brandon on the new baby. Definitely added to my playlist and follow pages. Then the Bad Suns - all I can say is WOW! My first time seeing them live after being introduced via Spotify - been a fan for about 9 months. My motto "come for the beat, stay for lyrics"did not disappoint. Christo brings everyone in the audience to his level of vocal commitment. They started off right away with a new single "Slow Karma"from the Accelerator album (due in August 2025) and then right into (my favorite) "We Move Like the Ocean". They continued to play tracks from all of their albums and then Christo went into the crowd on a dynamic version of "Rearview". The 19 track set list ended with their latest release "Communicating"(also from Accelerator) "Cardiac Arrest"and "Daft Pretty Boys". All in all a FABULOUS night out. Bad Suns and Little Image have been playing 24/7 since.
The band was really good live. My wife was very excited to see them. I only knew 4 songs and I enjoyed every minute. I would love to see them again if they return to vegas.
amazing beautiful iconic never done before would see 1000x
The line moved pretty quickly. Drinks are expensive but of course not required but venue was big enough to dance and jump and the band is just exceptional
Bad Suns is my absolute favorite band ever and has been since 2018. Meeting them was a dream come true. The whole thing was really. They were so sweet and made me comfortable. I did not once feel awkward because of them. They made me feel welcomed and didn’t rush me or tell me I had to make it quick or short or anything. I probably talked to them longer than I was supposed to but it was so worth it! And seeing them perform was another dream come true. They were so amazing live! I honestly think I’d prefer seeing them live then just hear them on an app! But mostly just because, well, it’s just so amazing. They sound so amazing live. Exactly like on youtube or whatever app you use to listen to them. But, if you’re thinking about seeing them. Do it. It’s an absolute, go for it! It’s so worth it!!! I loved every second of it & I’m sure you will too! This is your sign to buy the tickets & if you can, buy the VIP as well! Again, so worth it! It was an absolute and literal dream come true! Buy the tickets already!
Best band - great job boy/s, keep working on it boy :)
have y’all even heard of bad suns? best band I’ve ever seen ever thanks.
Bad Suns puts on an incredible show each and every time! Do not miss them!
i love this band. This was such a good live performance and I hope I get to see them again some day :))
This band really puts on an entertaining show and I’d see them every chance I get. The set list was perfect and a mix from every album. Please tour with The Maine next!
Their show was absolute magic! Christo was made for this stuff!! The energy stayed through the ceiling for their entire almost 2 hr set which included stage dives, crowd surfs, walks through the crowd, and singing on the bar! Also so much crowd interaction, you felt like you were a part of it all! A full experience!
