The garage punk titans’ forthcoming EP That’s Life arrives on March 17
Last week, Los Angeles-based garage punk titans FIDLAR came through and slayed their show at Observatory North Park, which marked their first performance in San Diego since 2018. Playing to an exuberant sold-out crowd, the band stormed through a mix of greatest hits and a small handful of new-ish tunes – whetting fans’ appetite for their forthcoming EP That’s Life – which arrives on March 17 along with a limited vinyl release.
You just knew it was gonna be a legendary FIDLAR show when they came out and led off with “Cheap Beer,” a classic ripper and one of their most enduring fan favorites. From there, the group raced through highlights such as “Stoked and Broke,” “40oz. on Repeat,” “West Coast,” “Punks,” and many, many more. Frontman Zac Carper was in top form, leading the crowd from one singalong-inducing track to the next, and encouraging them to mosh and crowd-surf until they could barely stand.
The band also performed “Centipede,” one of their newest singles which is set to appear on That’s Life, and it went over extremely well with the rabid audience. Eventually, FIDLAR performed “Cocaine” during their epic encore. As the final breakdown snowballed, Carper enticed the crowd to crouch low to the ground; once that final riff kicked in, everyone sprung into the air and erupted into unabashed celebration, bringing the show to its joyous conclusion. All of us in the crowd felt whipped up into a frenzy. Simply put, FIDLAR are one of the best and most reliable touring rock bands in the game. If the tour happens to be coming through your city, do not miss out.
Prior to FIDLAR’s headlining performance, the rising L.A. alt rockers Liily delivered a thrashy, spirited opening set that perfectly warmed up the crowd. Watch out for Liily, they’ve got a very bright future ahead of them.
FIDLAR’s upcoming comeback EP That’s Life was recorded with Dave Sardy (Spoon, LCD Soundsystem) at Shangri-La in Malibu, resulting in six songs that represent some of their most irreverent and feral vibes to date. The band promises to serve up more carefree energy and point-blank lyricism, as evidenced by the previously-released single “Centipede.” You can pre-order a vinyl copy of That’s Life HERE. Until that drops, you can check out the mind-melting video for “Centipede” – directed with eye-popping aplomb by the band’s longtime collaborator Ryan Baxley – as well as the photos from last week’s SD show, below:
