Silversun Pickups Concert Review | Cleveland, OH | 03.02.24

Silversun Pickups rocked a sold-out House of Blues here in Cleveland on Saturday, March 2, Bringing their Physical Thrills tour to its 70th stop! The band hasn’t been in Cleveland since 2016, so the anticipation was palpable. The band took the stage silhouetted against red background lighting. As they took their positions, the crowd was too loud to even know the band hadn’t started. Then, without warning, the familiar thump of Christopher Guanlao‘s drums kicks in and is joined by Nikki Monninger‘s bass. This could only mean one thing: “Growing Old Is Getting Old.” (This reviewer, who is standing shoulder to shoulder with a fire code violation overly sold-out crowd, couldn’t agree more with this song title.)

Clevelanders have waited over eight years to experience Silversun Pickups’ electrifying performance for the next two hours. Undoubtedly, they will remember this show for years to come. Taking the stage with their signature blend of alternative rock and shoegaze influences, the band immediately captivated the audience with their dynamic energy and powerful sound.

Frontman Brian Aubert’s distinctive vocals were in top form, conveying a range of emotions that connected deeply with the audience. The blend of Aubert’s and Monninger’s vocals is so symbiotic that sometimes, one doesn’t even know which one is actually singing. Aubert’s guitars are so distinctive and technical that it’s easy to forget that the band has one guitarist.

Meanwhile, Monningers’s bass playing was solid and mesmerizing, anchoring the band’s sound while providing its own moments of melodic interest. She clearly loves what she does. With her constant grin and jumping up and down, she’s having as much fun as anyone else in attendance on any given night. She particularly shines on “Mean Spirits.” The bass-heavy song drives straight through the whole time.

VIEW CLEVEROCK’S EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW!

However, Guanlao’s drums are a necessity in order to achieve this. While poorly lit and sitting in the back, his unique drum sound and setup can be overlooked. The lefty, with his emotionless face and extra tall single crash cymbal, impresses anyone with his dedication. Surrounded by Titan Tubes illumination around his kit, Guanloa was the driving force for the entire night.

Every member of this band leaves their mark, including Joe Lester, who was situated up front with his keys, sitting with a single beer and spot-on performance the whole night. His keyboards on “Alone on a Hill,” along with Nikki on heavy vocals, was a welcome change in pace towards the middle of the show. It also showed the dynamic range of the band and their songwriting.

The setlist was a well-curated mix of hits and deep cuts, ensuring that fans of all eras got a taste of what they love. While ‘Carnavas‘ was the most drawn-upon album for the Physical Thrill’s tour, fans did get a good amount of new songs never yet heard by the Cleveland audience on any of their previous stops. “Lazy Eye,” one of the band’s most beloved tracks, was showcased as they ended the night. Its intense build-up and cathartic release drew an impassioned response from the crowd.

The visual aspects of the show were equally impressive. The stage was set with atmospheric lighting that complemented the mood of each song, enhancing the overall experience without overshadowing the music itself. While natural colors were avoided most of the night, the mood was designed not to “see the band” perfectly but to enjoy what was seen. The band clearly made the most important part of the evening all about the music. There was so much to love.

Waiting eight years for Silversun Pickups to come back through Cleveland does seem like too long a break. It should not be forgotten that a pandemic was going on for some time. For that, it’s hard to hold a grudge. However, this House of Blues audience doesn’t want to wait another eight years to hear from them again.