Acclaimed indie dream-pop duo, and apparent harbinger of spring weather, Tennis made a stop at Turner Hall Ballroom on Monday, April 10 in support of their latest full-length album, “Pollen.”
Tennis’ set started off strong, opening with the crooner One Night with the Valet. Moore was playing the keyboard, and Riley was playing guitar. An additional two musicians joined them on stage to fill out their live set. The live band has mastered the Tennis approach– somehow never feeling repetitious, despite reworking a familiar sonic formula from song to song.
Husband-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley’s inescapable chemistry just added to the excitement of the night, especially during the song Matrimony, where Moore stepped out from behind the synthesizer and took center-stage to sing. She eventually moseyed over to Riley and looked him in the eyes while singing, “Doesn’t matter if we’re rich or poor/ The less we have, it makes me love you all the more / I’m not waiting for some twist of fate / To tell me that our lives interlacing.”
The set opened with some strong Regina Spektor/Feist sounds coming from Kate Bollinger and her band. Bollinger’s swingy and sparse vocals sound like they are right out of the mid-aught. Backed by light bass and drums and simple guitar riffs, Bollinger’s opening set was a treat. Her closing number, Look at it in the Light, was a little more uptempo, a nice transition into the starring act.
“Pollen,” which was released on Feb. 10, dives into a wistful sound. Several songs feature vintage synthesizer sounds and hazy vocals, others stronger guitars and keyboards. The results, though nostalgic in feeling, are undeniably contemporary.
Despite a strong frisson sensation while listening to their music, Tennis’ songs are sonically simple and contained. For some, this could create a challenge while on tour. How do you fill the space of the venue? How can you recreate the sensibility of a studio sound in a larger, more atmospheric and demanding environment?
Tennis has done an exceptional job at this translation, as the live show doesn’t lack any of the dreamy dynamism they have become known for. Though each song was unique, with some tunes sounding like bossa nova, others like disco or ambient pop, the overall theme and feeling remained the same throughout the set.
Moore’s keyboards and synthesizers expand to fill the room, supported by, but not overtaken by, melodic guitar riffs with the occasional stand-out string moment. The band tracks really cushion Moore’s vocals for an overall aesthetically plush and enjoyable experience.
Luckily, the audience members weren’t the only people enjoying the night. Moore applauded the audience stating that they were “the warmest and bounciest crowd yet.”