
Photos of Japandroids at O2 Academy in Leeds, U.K. on March 23rd, 2013
Photos of Japandroids at SXSW 2013 in Austin, TX
Photos of Japandroids at 2012 Beacons Festival in Skipton, U.K.
Photos of Japandroids at 2012 Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, Spain
Photos of Japandroids at 2012 London Calling Festival in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Photos of Japandroids at SXSW 2012
Photos of Japandroids at Death by Audio in Brooklyn, NY on October 26th, 2010
Photos of Japandroids at 2010 Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal, PQ, Canada
Photos of Japandroids at CMJ 2009 in New York, NY
Photos of Japandroids at 2009 Siren Music Festival on Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY
Photos of Japandroids at 2009 Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago, IL
At UCSD’s (partially open-air) Porter’s Pub, Japandroids guitarist/vocalist Brian King took the stage on Saturday, November 10th. Like a juvenile Neil Young, King cast electrified chords to the night sky. As the last blast drifted on the wind, the ample crowd applauded. King beamed, “Just based on your reaction to my noodling, I know you guys are going to be great.”
The duo (completed by drummer/vocalist David Prowse) opened with “Adrenaline Nightshift”, a cut from their latest release Celebration Rock (QRO review). It was energetic but ragged. King confessed to some kinks and promised improved proceedings.
The Vancouver based Japandroids seemed determined to make their second San Diego visit count. “We’re really happy you came to see us,” King admitted. “We know how many great shows are going on tonight.”
The duo’s grateful attitude and upbeat, garage rock anthems (which included “The House That Heaven Built”, “For the Love of Ivy” and “Evil’s Sway”) struck a chord with the largely hipster audience. Japandroids infectious energy even transcended to the portion of fans outside in the beer garden. Lyrics such as “We yell like hell to the heavens” from “The Nights of Wine and Roses” were particularly apropos.
The group’s indie qualities and lack of bass were, however, hard pressed in the venue’s unique environment. The acoustics didn’t flatter the duo’s more murky tracks such as “Wet Hair” and “Heart Sweats” both from the lo-fi, 2009 release Post-Nothing. What nuisances there were blended into a wall of sound. Yet nothing could dampen the Japandroids apparent affection for one-another and their upbeat stage presence. Members of the audience displayed their appreciation with stage diving and some stylish crowd surfing.