Wild Child at Racket (photo by Kevin McGann)
Last week, Texas’ indie folk-pop darlings Wild Child brought their End of the World tour to NYC’s newest concert venue, Racket. The tour, named after their first new album in five years, End of the World (Reba’s Ranch Records), finds Austin natives and founders Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins reuniting after exploring some side projects. While some time has passed, you’d think they’d been jamming all along based on their performance that night, backed by some incredible musicians/friends for the tour.
Wilson was clearly having a great time, taking advantage of the stage as she walked it (barefoot) from side to side making sure everyone in attendance was having a good time. Just to be sure, she took the show in to the crowd where she joined the audience on the floor and treated them to a truly intimate mid-show interlude. Beggins and the band put on a solid set that was fun and upbeat and explored songs from their previous album, Expectations and as well as the rest of their catalog. Highlights included the title track to their 2011 debut Pillow Talk, as well as “Sinking Ship,” “Alex,” and a poignant “The One” as they simultaneously sang, “You’re not the one for me, you’re just the one that I choose.”
Opening the night were the California natives and college friends that make up Proxima Parada. And like their home state, they brought the sunny vibes and feel-good grooves of their distinct brand of R&B and soul. Lead singer Nick Larson, who has a smooth voice and goes between keys and guitar, radiates good vibes. So, it was no surprise that he was a high school Spanish teacher who left it behind to pursue his dreams of music. And apparently, it’s paying off as the audience was there for them, singing along to every song in what was one of the best pairings of opener and headliner I’ve seen in some time.
This tour takes Wild Child and Proxima Parada all around the States so try and catch a show so you can forget your worries for a few hours and enjoy the good vibes of both bands.
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)
PROXIMA PARADA
WILD CHILD
