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The Tufts Daily
Where you read it first | Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Speedy Ortiz gives enjoyable, energetic concert

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Speedy Ortiz returns to Boston to give a series of concerts at Great Scott.

 Of the many '90s-influenced, noise-rock bands to enter the local music scene, Speedy Ortiz has perhaps garnered the most praise in recent months. With two fuzzed-out guitars, thunderous drum beats and caustic lyrics courtesy of frontwoman and self-described “third grade poet” Sadie Dupuis, the band has become Pitchfork’s favorite obsession and receives similar adoration from fans. 

The band’s mainstream success began with the release of “Major Arcana” (2013), which featured the grungy “Tiger Tank” and the endearing misfit anthem, “No Below,” the closest thing Speedy has to a ballad. This album was followed by “Real Hair” (2014), a short EP, which stayed true to Dupuis’ distinctly unusual songwriting with catchy melodies that hovered over a backdrop of haphazard guitars and metallic bass lines.



Returning to their home state amidst their busy touring season, the members of Speedy delivered, live at the Great Scott in Allston last Thursday, the same energy present in their recordings. It is worth noting that the band’s two openers -- Pile, whose members are fellow Bostonians, and the all girl power-trio Ex Hex from D.C. -- gave strong performances themselves, amping up the crowd before the headlining act. Pile’s dynamic sound and visual nonchalance was clearly on par with Speedy. Singer/guitarist Rick Maguire was understated in appearance, but vocally powerful, while drummer Kris Kuss was an absolute monster behind the kit. And though Ex Hex was musically cliche, with repetitive punk rock ditties that blended into one another, bassist Betsy Wright stole everyone’s hearts with her fun stage performance, frequently kicking the air in her black Chuck Taylors.Singer/guitarist Mary Timony was not terribly impressive on the guitar, masking unoriginal solos with a slew of effects, but she too managed to give the audience a good time with her chipper personality and coy chemistry with Wright.

By the time Speedy took the stage, it was nearing midnight, but eardrums were still intact. As soon as Dupuis rang out her first chord, however, it was evident that this would not be the case for long. Her guitar tone was equally dirty and Fender-warm in the best way possible -- but absolutely blaring. Throughout the set, it was nearly impossible to hear the second guitarist, Devin McKnight, play his complementary lines. Nonetheless, the show was worth the hearing loss.

The opening song, “Taylor Swift(2012) was a blatantly heavy number with little nuance -- the perfect transition from Ex Hex’s reverb-drenched set into the noisy, thick sound of Speedy’s. The charm of a small dive bar atmosphere did a lot for the show, too; large venues are too impersonal to create any sort of legitimate connection between the band and the audience. The intimate setting of the Great Scott let Speedy joke around and address audience members directly. “Who are you tonight?” someone asked Dupuis, who donned a pink wig. She was evidently dressed as Nicki Minaj, and proceeded to show off her hip hop knowledge by rapping between songs. These moments made the show memorable, even beyond the music.

This is not to discredit the magical musical moments during the set, however, as there were plenty. One of the highlights, “Plough” (2013), was mind-blowing to watch and hear. From the discordant intro to the rhythmically decadent ending, Dupuis’ characteristically messy guitar playing and drummer Mike Falcone’s hard-hitting prowess carried the song to realms unparalleled by the song's studio version.

 “Silver Spring” (2012) was another outstanding song in Speedy’s set. Dupuis’ vocals shone through the softer beginning section and gained more power during the hauntingly catchy chorus: “Hack up my face / You’ll never drag me out alive / Stuck between a rock and another rock that’s bigger.” Her first guitar solo in this song is one of her more melodic, allowing her warm, driving tone to stand out in the mix. Though her heavier, sloppier playing is great as well, these melodic moments add dimension to the band’s sound. They set Speedy apart from bands who merely recycle the '90s sound instead of offering a fresh perspective.

For those who can handle constant ringing in their ears for the following few days, Speedy Ortiz will be returning to the Great Scott for a three-day holiday residency on Dec. 5, 12 and 17.