Gig Review: lilo At The Lexington

11 Nov

A band whose warmth and honesty make every show feel like a shared moment between friends, lilo prove that DIY can be deeply moving.

How I became acquainted with the band lilo was somewhat by accident. However, being somewhat of a romantic when it comes to moments in life, I’d argue that it was not an accident but rather a moment of destiny.

Last February I made a music pilgrimage to London, in search of mosh pits and sweaty ceilings. I found both things every night of the seven I spent in the city. I became a true believer in the hype around the independent music scene in London. So much so, it led me into an existential crisis on the flight back to the US. I even debated rushing towards the closing door as the plane prepared to take off. But I decided to be an adult about it.

In that moment of intense life contemplation and feeling a wave of anxiety, exhaustion impending, I turned to music. I turned on a new playlist I made of all the bands I saw during my trip. I ventured to click “smart shuffle” and a song called ‘Crash the Car’ by lilo started to play. Fate (Spotify) knew at that moment, that song is what I needed. I might have even put it on repeat during the flight home.

‘Crash the Car’ followed me through returning home, quitting my job the following week, selling most of my possessions, saying goodbye to friends and family, and ultimately returning to London to pursue music. It’ll be the song I will remember most about this point in my life. Funny how songs do that, right?

In return for its immense support, I followed ‘Crash the Car’ to The Lexington last Thursday night to finally see it played live. Personally the moment felt like everything came full circle. But I also argue the band might have been feeling something similar, it was the last show of their tour after all.

However before lilo, the night began with sets from Bekah Bossard and Oscar Browne. Bossard presented the audience with her punchy new single called ‘American Dream’ and overall amazing presence and lyricism. Browne brought out similar striking lyricism coupled with folky overtones and unique instrumentation. Definitely became instant fans of both.

Finally, walking out to what I think was ‘Party Rock Anthem’ by LMFAO (fun shift from the folky introspection), lilo took their places after a quick dance. The band opened with ‘Crash the Car’ and I thanked the Spotify gods at that moment.

lilo is one of those bands that creates an atmosphere where you feel like you’re surrounded by your closest friends, having a chat about life. A feeling that grounds you and makes you live in the moment. From my spot in the crowd, I rarely saw people on their phones or having side conversations. We were all present in the moment together. From the cheers of “lillllooooooo”, the shout out to the moms in the crowd before the band played ‘Simply Put’, laughing at glue-on-nails getting stuck in guitar strings, and to the cheers for “it’s DIY baby.”

It didn’t feel like a gig, it felt like a much needed hang out.

As it was the bands’ last show on tour, it seemed like it was a time to celebrate all the ups and downs of what they described as being “DIY.” Before playing their amazing cover of Emmylou Harris’ ‘Boulder to Birmingham’, the band joked that doing the cover seemed to be some sort of curse, as they missed their Birmingham, UK show a few days prior. Regardless, as someone who has spent a great deal of time in Alabama Birmingham, curse or no curse, I think yall did it justice. But I digress.

At the final verse of their last song, ‘Closing Time’, everyone was just as present as they were in the beginning. There was maybe even some hesitation against the night ending as the crowd cheered, yet unmoving while the band took a few bows. Despite the messiness a DIY tour or show may bring, the world needs more of it and bands like lilo.

Regardless of your opinion on Spotify, if you luckily get bestowed a song like ‘Crash the Car’ through “smart shuffle” and change your entire life, make sure you return the good karma and go see lilo live.