Photos and Review by NOTES FROM VIVACE
LOS ANGELES – Livingmore, named after band members Alex Moore and Spencer Livingston, had double reason to be cheerful during their headliner set at The Echo on Friday night: It was their 10th year performing and playing music together and they have a new record release, The Garden.
About the fact that the band has lasted 10 years and is still going strong, lead singer Alex Moore had this to say: “That’s crazy. Yeah, Mike (their longtime drummer Mike Schadel) says it is longer than some marriages.”
As for the record release, Livingmore kicked off their set with the last song on the new album, “Think of You.” The song was a dreamy way to start the night off.
Their song “Places” is where we get the album title “The Garden.”
“Places we love. Places we dream. Somewhere you live. Somewhere so free. In the garden. I can be home. Away from it all. Somewhere out there.”
Sometimes one should just sit back and enjoy life and reject the go-go lifestyle for just a few moments. “At Ease” has hints of Mazzy Star as Moore lets her vocals float. This is a song where Livingston’s guitar play shines, as well, creating a wonderful melody.
The band’s set could be said to be split in two. The first half was dedicated to “The Garden.” The second half was the greatest hits from the past 10 years. I’ve followed this band since 2017 (so I can’t say I’ve followed this band almost from the very start).
One year, I saw this band more than any other band. I would see them far more frequently now, but I believe this past Friday night was the first time the band played a set in more than a year. And the last time they played, I got sick and so it has been a hot minute since I’ve seen a set by Livingmore.
Anyway, I mentioned to them once that their genre influence always seemed to change. One set their sound would swing towards country. The very next set, it would swing towards pop. And then rock.
I’m not sure they were convinced by my opinion. Yet there was a trio of songs that I think prove my point. “Counting Sheep” has hints of a country influence and maybe caused a few misty eyes in the audience, “I can never say no to my heart. I was doomed from the start.” “Memory Hill” is perfect pop bliss. Finally, “Sharp” has indie rock vibes that’ll remind listeners of The Cranberries.
If one hasn’t seen the music video for this song, that’s a must. It’s a joyous ride through the streets of Los Angeles. Perhaps getting the loudest cheers for the night was the stripped down singer-songwriter song “Little Bird.” The song apparently connects with the band, as well, as it’s one of the first songs the band ever released and they still keep it in the setlist rotation.
Opening up for Livingmore was Warsaw Pact and Aloud. I do believe that Warsaw Pact had two versions of their set list. One was in English the other was in Cyrillic. Their song “Black September” is goth and loud. Aloud had a saxophone on stage and used it to turbocharge their retro-rock sounds while their bassist danced to the beats.
Livingmore setlist: Think of You, Part Of the Talk, Places, No Vacation, Inner Child, Eyes, At Ease, House, Don’t Go Anywhere, Counting Sheep, Memory Hill, Sharp, Really Mean It, Little Bird, Energy Taken, Mysterious Love, Dead Fruit.
https://www.instagram.com/aloudonline/
https://www.instagram.com/warsaw_pact/
https://www.instagram.com/livingmoremusic/
