Illuminati Hotties and Silversun Pickups joined forces on Sept. 27 at The Bellwether, the new independently promoted venue in downtown Los Angeles. Both bands, hailed from Los Angeles played with energy, but the show lacked uniqueness.
Illuminati Hotties, the opening band for the night, played a lively set but to seemingly few fans in the audience. The show resonated best with its power pop hooks and riot grrrl screaming by frontwoman Sarah Tudzin. However, the overall performance fell short of capturing a deep energy in the crowd. Its a lost connection. Listeners seemed indifferent, even uninterested in the performance. The set personified how the Los Angeles communal music scene has changed since Silversun Pickups took the scene by storm in the early 2000s.
Silversun Pickups, who electrified stages like Silverlake Lounge in the early 2000s, dominated a feeding frenzy of early social media bands in L.A. At a changing time in the music industry, Silversun Pickups did one thing perfectly — play live. When the band played on stage at the venue, the energy and musicianship proved they still have it twenty years into their career.
Illuminati Hotties, although played fiercely, seemed to lack one core thing — identity. The band, a standard four-piece, with Tudzin in the foreground implied a dorky and disjointed persona. Tudzin, who by no means tried to appear cool alongside their headlining counterparts for the night, leaned into a quirky aesthetic. At one point the singer even exclaimed an “It’s Wednesday my dudes!” joke halfway through their set. A sentiment the millennial fans of both bands would like, but landed poorly. However, the band doesn’t resemble an understanding or look for an identity other than this.
The music was similar; it lacked a definitive style, tone or meaning. The tracks played mainly felt like an early project, with talented people still in search of their roots. Ultimately, Illuminati Hotties’ personality took away from their performance and made it hard to let alone listen to the music.
Illuminati Hotties weren’t the only thing to lack identity at the show. The Bellwether, a building that is no stranger to being a music venue, previously housed Prince’s historic after-hours shows. It currently houses an awkwardly placed restaurant and lounge. This created a strange vibe with an unusual layout to the room. What was even weirder was the lack of history. The Bellwether cultivated a pay-to-play feel, instead of what should have been an important hometown show.
Even though the band dragged at times, Silversun Pickups’ energy couldn’t be matched on “Lazy Eye” and “Empty Nest.” “Truck,” a newer track from Illuminati Hotties, was much to be enjoyed by concertgoers.
All put together, a show presented by both bands should be proportionately attended by fans. The coupling of the two is an odd choice. But, it is worth pondering if Silversun Pickups tried to usher in a new band because nobody else would do so. Are the criticisms of Illuminati Hotties, not based on their musicianship, but more or less fused on a place where a community of music is hard to cultivate? Instead of blaming the band, should the L.A. rock music culture scene be held responsible?
The identity search in both live and recorded music is crucial. The Bellwether and L.A., doesn’t have the place to serve Illuminati Hotties as it did when Silversun Pickups dominated the scene. It’s hopeful for the community and talent-forward bands, like Illuminati Hotties, that the city will develop more venues like the Bellwether — but do so with more style.
Although the approach is forward, it is short of charming identity at this venue and band. However, it is worth noting one thing — hearing Sarah Tudzin scream is one thing every L.A. venue needs.
Illuminati Hotties is currently on tour with The Linda Lindas throughout November.
Silversun Pickups will continue another leg of touring beginning in February.
***Editor’s note: A former version of this article had a spelling error of Sarah Tudzin’s last name. This review has been updated with the correct spelling of Tudzin’s name.