Big Baby turns on the charm at Sound of Music show with poppy, upbeat tunes

by | Aug 11, 2017 | MUSIC

For a band of its size and youth, Big Baby can please a room. At last night’s show at Sound of Music Studios in Scott’s Addition, the band shared the stage with Big Quiet, Big Bliss, and Serqet.

Big Baby closed off the night with a softer, more pop-infused sound than the previous bands. The trio, comprised of Ali Mislowsky, Chris Smith, and Brian Dove, provided a more twee-pop vibe than the earlier heavier bands. Nonetheless, they still delivered toe-tapping, hand-clapping, dance-inducing beats.

The band dove right in, playing their up-tempo hits such as “Dumb Guys,” “Not That,” and “Often.” Mislowsky’s vocals synced perfectly with Smith’s harmonies, never faltering even a half step from one another. Dove’s tune-driving beats lifted the two guitars through the songs, even when Dove lost a drumstick halfway through a song and had to drop out momentarily to retrieve it. A noble effort was made and appreciated.

Playing hits off both of their EPs, Dumb Guys and the latest release,  Sour Patch, Big Baby offered some heartfelt tunes that were disguised by the twee-pop notes and rhythms. However, the songs did seem to blend together in sound and theme as the night waned on. Plucky lead guitar started the song with rhythmic guitar licks behind it. Although the drum fills did vary, it was also hard to decipher between songs since the vocals were not very audible or understandable. However, that was most likely the sound mixing and not the vocalist. Additionally, all of their songs were noticeably short, hovering around two and a half minutes, without any guitar or drum solos.

The waltzing melodies and head-nodding guitar strums of “Lemons”, a song of their new EP, was a personal favorite of the night. The tight harmonies sing of longing, lonesomeness, and blues. It’s a slightly different feel from the upbeat, pop songs the band churns out.

Given the room, the size of the crowd, and the allotted time they were given, Big Baby gave an excellent performance. Besides the quiet vocals and drumstick mishap, it was an enjoyable evening in the thumping Sound of Music concert space.

Jo Rozycki

Jo Rozycki

Field reporter for GayRVA/RVA Mag. RVA born and raised. Theatre nerd, french fry lover, dog-obsessed, die-hard Montreal Canadiens fan. Storyteller. William & Mary 2020, Sociology.




more in music

BTCHFEST, BAT and Barn: Punk Press RVA

This week get ready to immerse yourself in a groundbreaking music festival that's set to shake up Richmond's music scene. BTCHFEST is here to spotlight the incredible talent of women and nonbinary femme artists, taking center stage at Cobra Cabana and Another Round...

Sub-Radio, Dumb Waiter & Tiara & Andrew: Sound Check

Invaders from the north! This next week not one, but two prominent Washington, D.C. bands are descending on the city to bring their tunes upon our stages for us to bear witness. This weekend both Origami Angel and Sub-Radio will play their pop influenced tunes...

Richmond Day Tripper! Waynesboro Will Surprise You

In Virginia's countryside, picture a scene straight out of a postcard – rolling hills, farms, and winding roads leading through the sometimes misty mountains. That's Waynesboro for you, a cozy town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. With about 22,000 folks calling it...

It’s Back! And We’ve got Your Friday Cheers 2024 Lineup

It's that time of year again! The weather is warming up, the sun is setting after 7:00 PM, so that can only mean one thing: it's Spring. My favorite time of year when the weather is perfect, the trees are blooming, and hope and revival float through the air along with...

Municipal Waste, Prisoner & Collateral Damage: Punk Press RVA

This Saturday, March 16th, marks the homecoming of Richmond’s own Municipal Waste, concluding their electrifying Brainsqueeze Tour 2024 at The National. In celebration of the 21st anniversary of their debut album, Wast’Em All, the band has curated a powerhouse lineup...

Kids of the Black Hole

We stepped down the cobblestone steps, our backs to that gothic tower of bricks seeing us off into a damp night. Jesse’s face was blue as he stared down into his phone and said: C’mon, I think it’s this way. It’s west? I asked.  No, it’s in this direct—I mean...

Pin It on Pinterest