Sunflower Bean rocks The Casbah with gritty charm and indie-rock precision, while opener GIFT delivers a hypnotic, synth-laced set of psychedelic shimmer.
On this cool and foggy evening, beneath the flight path of San Diego International’s Runway 09/27 – where incoming jumbo jets seemed close enough to touch – The Casbah, San Diego’s beloved subterranean venue, played host to Brooklyn’s Sunflower Bean on a Southern Californian stop of their Mortal Primetime Tour.
Opening the night was GIFT, a rising psychedelic indie-pop outfit whose 40-minute set of swirling electronics and reverb-drenched textures offered a spellbinding prelude to the main event.
GIFT commandeered the stage with “Gumball Garden,” a kaleidoscopic opener that showcased haunting vocals and shimmering synths. Their blend of dreamlike textures and rhythmic thrust earned a warm, anticipatory response from the crowd in the small nightclub. Though brief, their performance struck a memorable chord, preparing ears for Sunflower Bean’s headline set.
At 9:35 PM, Sunflower Bean emerged, greeted by a riotous cheer. Frontwoman Julia Cumming and guitarist Nick Kivlen – co-leads on vocals – immediately launched into “Champagne Taste,” the raucous lead single from the band’s April-released Mortal Primetime. The song’s gritty guitars and propulsive rhythm confirmed the band’s heavier evolution since their earlier work, a sentiment echoed by recent interviews about their fresh, robust sound.
The band steered into “Lucky Number” and “Teach Me to Be Bad,” evolving the energy with a controlled swagger. What follows was a masterclass in pacing: the introspective swell of “Who Put You Up to This?” offered lyrical reflection before segueing into the opener crescendo. Fans savored tunes from Mortal Primetime such as “I Knew Love” and “Nothing Romantic,” the latter a moody gem from the new record that resonates with longing and depth.
Mid-set highlights included “There’s a Part I Can’t Get Back,” where the band’s interlocking vocals and guitar interplay created a rich, shoegaze-tinged atmosphere. The gritty familiarity of “22” and the vulnerable emotion of “Look What You’ve Done to Me” underscored the trio’s versatility.
The 55-minute performance crescendoed with an encore featuring “Nothing Romantic” and “Shake.” Yet, it was “Shake” – a whirlwind garage-rock anthem – that left the venue buzzing, its final rattling chords followed by a hush, then an eruptive applause.
Throughout, Cumming’s presence was magnetic, alternating between defiant commands and near-whispers, supported by Kivlen’s agile leads and Olive Faber’s crisp percussion. The self-produced flair of Mortal Primetime was evident in every note: raw yet polished, intimate yet expansive.
While some may note the set was under an hour – roughly 55 minutes – it was packed with impact. Few missed extravagance; what mattered was the intensity, unity, and genuine artistry on display.
By the end, The Casbah felt versatile worlds deep – sweaty, ecstatic, transformed. Sunflower Bean are not just touring; they’re forging connections, sharing textured new music, and reinforcing why they’re one of indie rock’s most thrilling live acts today.
In sum, Sunflower Bean and GIFT are two compelling live acts well worth seeking out. Their Casbah performance was a vivid snapshot of a headliner confidently balancing introspective lyricism with muscular post-punk swagger, paired with an opener pushing the boundaries of psychedelic indie-pop. It was a night that proved great things still come in small packages. In an era of algorithm-driven playlists and endless content, it’s these young bands – touring tirelessly, making noise in intimate rooms – who keep the flame of rock and roll burning bright.
