Tastemakers Presented Car Seat Headrest – 10/2
When I shot Car Seat Headrest at The Sinclair a few weeks ago for Allston Pudding, I figured it would be Will Toledo’s last Boston show in a 500-cap club. Little did I know I’d see him play a Starbucks last weekend.
With the May release of Teens of Denial – Toledo’s first for Matador Records – the Seattle-via-Virginia songwriter officially had his breakthrough moment. Car Seat Headrest had been a lo-fi cult favorite for some time, but the widely acclaimed Denial succeeded in catapulting them to mainstream indie fame practically overnight. Tickets for September’s Sinclair gig sold out far in advance, and commanded a staggering $165 on Stubhub day-of.
Last Sunday’s show, organized by my good friends at Tastemakers Magazine, was planned as a larger outdoor event before being thwarted by unpredictable autumn weather. Hence, one of 2016’s fastest rising bands – plus a great pair of openers in Mutual Benefit and TV Girl – performed at Northeastern University’s premiere indoor music venue/coffee shop. It was a weird scene, but also a great show (even if Toledo didn’t reprise the “Exit Music” cover to which I sang along at an embarrassing volume during the Sinclair gig).
Photos from all three sets are below. I’d hoped to have a better angle on CSH this time, but had to leave this show midway through Mutual Benefit’s set to shoot Billy Bragg and then rush back. Alas.
