Alex G at Paradise Rock Club, 11/9/22

Paradise Rock Club was aflood with Alex G fans – scuzzy, hipstered-out college students came together in a convocation to make their pilgrimage to the new golden boy of indie. 

The venue did not grant press pit entry, so I stood stranded in a wash of tightly packed concertgoers. I was very entertained by the obsessive musings of the people around me. You would have thought God was about to take the stage. “He saved my life, you know.” “This is my ninth time seeing him!” “No… you have NO idea how important he is to me.” Imagine my surprise when a shockingly average looking, slightly slimy man took the stage.

Him and his band of similarly smelly looking musicians produced a delightful symphony of jagged indie tunes, though. The setlist featured almost every song on the new release God Save the Animals – the album’s intricate instrumentation and airtight production translated very well to a live setting. Other set highlights included “No Bitterness”, “Gretel”, and fan favorite “Forgive”. 

The entire show was permeated with an aura of self-awareness, despite the rabid energy of the audience. To a casual fan, the concert felt like an elaborate inside joke… in the best way possible. Nothing exemplified this more than the band launching into Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” upon a shouted fan request. This was bit committal at its finest. They made their way through the nearly 10-minute classic rock epic – indulgent guitar solo and all – transitioning into the manic noise-storm of “Brick”. 

“And this bird you cannot change,” went the frontman’s sardonic quip.