Best Coast Packs the Alhambra for a Sweaty Set

Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino—click to see an entire gallery of photos by Corey Terrill

Waiting outside for the doors to open, I and the rest of the crowd were very much looking forward to leaving the sun for a cool, air-conditioned ballroom. As we entered, we became very disappointed.

The music was not a factor in our dismay, though. Opening band Bully, fronted by the punk stunner Alicia Bognanno, absolutely kicked ass with their upbeat alternative from Nashville. Bognanno impressed, able to shift her voice from a low, sultry tone to a heavier and grittier punk sound. The crowd was into it and the band was having a blast on stage.

Bully at the Alhambra—click to see an entire gallery of photos by Corey Terrill

However, as Bully left the stage and Best Coast took it over for the headlining set, one thing was at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

Opening with “The Only Place” and shooting straight into “Heaven Sent” (watch the video below), one of the singles off the new album California Nights, Cosentino eventually took pause to address the elephant in the room.

“It’s so hot in here,” she said.

It truly was. The A/C in the Alhambra was not doing its job (if it even existed), and the whole of the room was like a musty oven, simmering with the smell of body odor. Regardless, the crowd and band both pushed through the circumstances, allowing us to enjoy a very pleasant and sonically beautiful night of Best Coast.

And as Cosentino and Bruno played through their 20-song set, images of love in the summer and drives on a California beach at sunrise ran through my mind. In the end, the sweat seemed worth it all.