What a night! I've been a fan of Bad Suns since Language and Perspective dropped, and was afraid to be disappointed by their live performance. WOW I didn't have a single thing to worry about. The band not only sounds incredible live, but has a stage presence best described as electric. Already impatient for their next show.
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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."
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 3/12/17Deluxe at Old National Centre - Indianapolis Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 3/12/17The Club at Stage AE - Pittsburgh Bad Suns is absolutely amazing in perfect. Sound incredible. The energy was intense and carried throughout the whole room. Bad Suns really knows how to get into it with the crowd and the excitement was wonderful. Definitely a band I plan on seeing again. Worth the money. From Indian Lakes was awesome as well. Best concert I've ever gone too for sure.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Bad Suns, the new Steve Miller Band!
by Toshka7 on 3/12/17The Club at Stage AE - PittsburghDespite a sub-par venue, the band flawlessly executed a perfectly chosen set-list. Christo engaged the crowd. The other members missed not a beat, note, chord--first band that had me saying, "they are better even than their album."
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great concert
by Anonymous on 3/8/17Deluxe at Old National Centre - IndianapolisVenue was good, Bad Suns was fantastic. They sound like the do on the record.
Rating: 5 out of 5by dollamillz on 11/22/16Teragram Ballroom - Los Angeles One of the best shows that I've been to. The crowd was insane. The band was insane. The energy was insane. I loved every moment of it.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Bad Suns is so good!!!
by Oliviiamcbriide on 11/21/16Teragram Ballroom - Los AngelesI had seen Vad Suns before and I'm happy I saw them again! They really know how to include the crowd and keep everyone intrigued! Christo was really enjoying himself and his dance moves were bomb! The show was amazing
Rating: 5 out of 5 Honestly one of the best shows I've ever been to
by marilynxcx on 11/21/16Teragram Ballroom - Los AngelesI never leave reviews but I have to say this was truthfully my favorite concert that I've been to. The concert was as the teragram ballroom which is really small and intimate and I definitely prefer this type of venue over larger arenas and stuff. I've only been to one other concert that had two opening acts and the first time it kinda sucked bc I couldn't wait to see the main act but with bad suns, their two opening acts- Kid Bloom and COIN were so good the music was great and the performances were so energetic it was really cool. As for bad suns themselves they just sound so good live I died and became revived after this show. It's that great . I'm speechlesssss
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/21/16Teragram Ballroom - Los Angeles Bad Suns were incredible! They put on such a great show. Overall, it was an awesome performance and I would highly recommend seeing them live.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Amazing Live Performance
by mdhen on 11/21/16Teragram Ballroom - Los AngelesI've been a big fan of Bad Suns for years but due to living overseas and in Hawaii, I was never able to attend a concert. I was very excited to finally be able to see a live performance. I went to their LA show which was the final show of their Disappear Here tour 2016. The show was energetic, and very lively with lots of interactions from the band with the crowd. The show was totally worth attending and I highly recommend seeing them if you can. I would love to attend another concert in the future if I can.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Bad suns never fail
by Jenthe1975 on 11/21/16Teragram Ballroom - Los AngelesOut of the three times I've seen them this was by for the best one never going to forget it they had a pretty lengthy set list longer than average which was amazing they play new songs and also some old ones much love to them!! ❤️❤️
Rating: 5 out of 5 BEST SHOW.
by dianablisss on 8/12/16Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall - Los AngelesThey sound amazing live and have great stage presence.
Rating: 5 out of 5 sweeeeet
by sadbuns on 5/8/15A and R Music Bar - ColumbusThis was my 3rd time seeing Bad Suns & they honestly never disappoint. They only have one EP & one full length album out so their set is only about an hour long but that's okay. They do every single song from the album + 20 years off their EP. Christo is very energetic and has some sick dance moves. Sometimes he crowdsurfs but unfortunately he didn't do that at this show lol. Ray, Miles and Gavin are also pretty awesome. Miles normally gives away the drumsticks he used during the show so that's cool :) Will definitely be seeing these guys again asap.
Rating: 4 out of 5 The Bad Suns were amazing!
by James197 on 5/8/15A and R Music Bar - ColumbusThe Bad Suns made the concert worth wild, I would recommend everyone seeing them in concert (especially during the summer) only problem was the 4 hours of standing of opening acts before they even came on stage, but I guess that is expected.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Trying too hard
by meeeeeeeeeeeetoo on 5/2/15The National - RichmondThese guys are young, they are just trying too hard. They just need to find their own sound and stage presence.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 5/2/15The National - Richmond they were really good! short set list though, but makes sense since they only have one album out.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Disappointed
by IndieQueen on 5/2/15The National - RichmondI absolutely love Bad Suns and was so excited for this concert, however, it was completely opposite of what I thought it would be. The opening band was putting me to sleep and the venue was practically empty! I mean seriously, I had room to move around freely and not even half the floor was filled. Normally when I go to concerts, it's packed so this was a surprise. Because of the small crowd, the energy just wasn't there. And the people that were there were young teens. Overall, I still love Bad Suns, they were great, but the experience wasn't. I'm bummed more people didn't show up because I feel it hurts Richmond's reputation and the possibility of us getting more good indie bands.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Bad Suns
by hgl12 on 2/18/15Bowery Ballroom - New YorkThe only problem I had with the show was how long the wait was. We were standing for nearly 4 hours inside the Bowery Ballroom from 7 until Bad Suns came on at 11 and they played for 45 minutes. However, the show itself was a lot of fun they're really great live!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Not so Bad Suns
by jewjewbeans on 2/18/15Bowery Ballroom - New YorkOMGG. I have seen bad suns many times before, obviously because i hate them.. LoL JKJK. Bad suns are great live they bring amazing energy and Cristos dance moves could earn him a space on so You think you can dance. I heard a rumor that he was competing on the next season of dancing with the stars. All you need to know about Ray is he has great hair and a beautiful guitar. Personally Gav freaks me out. He likes to hold eye contact with people in the crowd for long amounts of time. I do miss his twitter though. Also when Gav isn't making creepy eyes at someone in the crowd his hair is covering his face. I make it sound bad, but hes actually the most entertaining one to watch at the show, his stage presence is creepily charming. Finally, what can i say about Miles.. The last time I saw that many fan girls was outside a one direction concert. Miles has a lot of adoring fans that scream obscene things at him. But regardless he is a talented drummer, but I think he may need a stronger deodorant. THE BOY SWEATS! Also try your best to meet them after the show there super chill guys, totally humble, they love talking about the Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles. Bad Suns are one of my favorite bands, and I cant wait to see them again.
Rating: 5 out of 5 unforgettable concert
by CcristinaMmarie on 2/18/15Bowery Ballroom - New Yorkme and my friends waited outside in the frigid cold all day and got first row so it was worth it. both opening acts were amazing. as the openers were setting up, and afterwards packing up, they talked to us and were really so sweet I would see each again. it was incredibly intimate since there was no barricade and we were literally leaning against the barricade. Ray was standing directly in front of us. Christo crowd surfed and was engaged with the fans. I loved the venue. overall great experience.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Bad Suns was unbelievable
by 7231 on 2/16/15Brighton Music Hall - BostonBad Suns performed so well and the sound was perfect. For some reason my group of friends seemed to be the only ones in the crowd really pumped up and enjoying ourselves to the fullest. I was hoping to meet them after the show but everyone had to leave the venue quickly and it was freezing outside. I would definitely see them again.