Photos and review by ALYSON CAMUS
LOS ANGELES – Making a comeback is difficult. It’s both challenging and brave – though some might criticize me for calling Garrett Clark Borns, aka Børns, brave.
In 2018, after a meteoric rise, his once-promising career came to an abrupt halt following accusations of sexual misconduct by several young women. I remember seeing him perform at the Santa Monica Pier in 2017, where an ecstatic crowd – especially young women – experienced something close to a Beatlemania episode. At the time, I didn’t know who he was, but with his angelic, androgynous features and long hair, he looked like a Botticelli painting. He had it all: infectious, anthemic songs, an aesthetic to die for, and a distinct brand – a slashed “ø” in his name evoking a Scandinavian mysticism that made his dreamy electro-pop sound even more exotic.
Then, everything-Børns went silent for many years. Despite calling the allegations “disturbing and false,” and acknowledging and apologizing for having “brief relationships” with fans while on tour – emphasizing that the relationships were consensual – music festivals and his label cut ties with him. It was a familiar story; one we’ve heard before. But talent is hard to erase.
In 2023, Børns resurfaced with a new EP “Suddenly” and this year, he released a new album, “Honeybee,” reinventing himself musically. Whether he is distancing himself from his electro-pop beginnings or simply continuing his artistic evolution, one thing is clear – his audience is still here. As an independent artist, he booked a second night at the El Rey Theatre after the first sold out quickly. That second show appeared sold out as well, creating an atmosphere of shared joy and gratitude – a stark contrast to the lingering hostility that persists online.
Garrett’s girlfriend, Courtney Farren, opened the show with a set of introspective, melodic compositions, most of them from her debut album, “Punchlines.” Accompanied by two musicians, she performed on electric or acoustic guitar, her voice warm and subtle, weaving through slow, intimate songs. There was an effortless nonchalance and a confessional tone to “I Must Like It,” and she followed “Internet Age,” a timely reflection on phone addiction that felt especially relevant. Exploring the complexities of solitude, “I’m Not Alone (I’m Lonely)” carried familiar sonic textures, while “Easier to Laugh” maintained her signature dreamy indie-pop feel.
Enjoying the moment, she beamed onstage for the second night in a row, gushing about her “beautiful, glamorous” boyfriend. “He’s going to blow you away,” she promised. As a treat for the Børns crowd, she performed a “deep cut,” “Together, Together,” a song she co-wrote with him – before closing her set with a more upbeat track.
Børns opened the show seated behind a beautiful white piano, accompanied by three musicians on guitar, bass and drums, and starting the night with a few piano-driven songs. “I brought a white piano; this is a real piano” he made sure to point out after a few numbers.
The rambunctious and unpredictable, “Just in Case I Love You” showcased his signature high-pitched vocals over lively, Elton John-esque piano-rocking lines. He quickly shifted into the playful, pop-infused “Honeybee” that made “destination” rhythm with “motivation,” and if he didn’t have a string quartet for the upbeat and bouncy “Blue Corvette,” his piano hooks felt instantly familiar.
Børns seemed genuinely happy to be performing live again, and when he switched to guitar for the next song, someone in the audience complimented his tie adorned with tiny bees. “That was the whole point to be here, to see what’s on the tie!” He joked. “Grateful for” turned into a feel-good singalong, his honeyed vocals carrying through the crowd. Without pause he flowed seamlessly into “Holy Ghost,” from his “Dopamine” album blending the two songs effortlessly. “Thank you for singing,” he said to the crowd with a smile. Then came the euphoric “10,000 Emerald Pools,” its soaring hooks igniting another ecstatic crowd chorus – one of those beloved, dreamy indie anthems that helped propel Børns to fame.
After the Spanish tempo guitars of “Breakfast of Bohemians” – delivered with a playful, adventurous attitude – someone in the audience continued singing the laaa-laaa chorus and Børns took notice: “Very beautiful!” he complimented them with a smile.
While his debut album, “Dopamine,” was packed with irresistibly catchy, pop-heavy crowd-pleasers, his sound has since evolved, incorporating a broader range of styles. The night’s setlist showcased this versatility, highlighting his creative range. “OK, this song is kind of a song in retrospect about my journey West to get here,” he told the crowd before launching into “Taylor.” “We’re gonna see how fast we can play it without being too fast.” With its obvious country influences, the song was a clear display of his eclectic, genre-blending abilities.
Soon, he was back on piano for the slower and melancholic “Suddenly” and its Father-John-Misty vibe, and this was followed by the poignant and stabbing keys of “Sad Face,” adding another layer of emotional depth to the set.
“These are special shows my friends, because it’s happening right now, but also because these are the first shows that I played in seven years” Børns told the crowd, his voice filled with gratitude. “I’ve been told I was an indie artist even when I was on a major label but now, I’m really an indie artist. Oh, and it feels so good! thank you for supporting me!”
He went on to explain the inspiration behind a drawing of his hand holding a butterfly featured on his merchandise.
“A butterfly that I actually raised, his name was… her name – actually we studied the patterns of the wings, and I think it was a she – was Gershwin,” he said. “She hatched on a bookshelf and so we put her in a little container and she made the little chrysalis… it was truly beautiful. it was really emotional, I put her on a finger, went outside, and she flew away.”
The poetic anecdote set the stage for “Suddenly,” which he described as a song about “the age that we live in.” “Oh boy, there’s just a lot of stuff going on and we all know about it, even if we don’t want to! So it’s kind of a conversation with myself about when it all just gets overloaded in your head.” The funky “Junk” brought in the wah-wah pedal while still keeping its piano-driven core. “Back to the Way We Was” felt like an Elton John-meets-Father John Misty moment while “Letting Myself Go” showcased Garett’s iconic high-pitched vocals in a soaring, operatic wail, almost Freddie Mercury-esque in its dramatic flair.
Encores always bring the hits, and Børns delivered two crowd favorites from “Dopamine”: He began with “Past Lives” on piano, making triumphant walks toward the audience, mic in one hand, and arm raised in the air. The energy soared when he noticed and accepted a note from a fan, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
He then closed the night with a euphoric rendition of ”Electric Love,” filling the venue with pure exhilaration. While the setlist rightfully focused on songs from his latest releases, “Suddenly” and “Honeybee,” the night’s diverse soundscapes proved that Børns is more than a fleeting pop sensation – he is a musical force and a multifaceted artist here to stay.
Setlist
Just In Case I Love You
Honeybee
Blue Corvette
Grateful For
Holy Ghost
10,000 Emerald Pools
Breakfast of Bohemians
Taylor
Suddenly
Sad Face
Wait
Junk!
Back to the Way We Was
Letting Myself Go
Encore:
Past Lives
Electric Love