benches at The Regent – Live Reviews

benches, The Regent, Los Angeles, CA., April 26, 2024

San Diego alternative rock band benches has really been making a name for themselves well above and beyond their Southern California hometown. Highwire Daze caught up with benches at The Regent in Downtown L.A., on the road in direct support to IDKHOW – and what an absolutely captivating performance the band unveiled for the early arrivals. It was obvious that a good number of people in the audience already knew about the sonic brilliance that is benches, and were singing along to each and every song.

benches opened the set with their just released single Naïve, instantly winning over the sold-out house with this vibrantly quirky reverie. Common Sense was then performed, rocking it all out in a gloriously thrilling Killers/Smoking Popes style. How wickedly ironic it was to hear LA Friends being played right in the heart of the City of Angels.  And the superbly infectious tunes kept on arriving, capped off by the wistful wanderings of It Doesn’t Have To Change.  A short yet very persuasive opening set that left the audience desiring to witness a whole lot more!

The benches lineup delivered the auditory goods with a massive amount of passion and conviction, featuring Anson Kelley on vocals/guitar, Ethan Bowers on drums, Evan Ojeda on lead guitar, and Charlie Baird on bass. With a performance this well received, it will be exciting to see what the future has in store for the benches brigade.

Be sure to check into benches the next time they arrive to rock out in your part of the world. benches is currently finishing up an EP, so definitely be on the lookout for new music soon!

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Vivian Ortega of So Finch Photography)

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