Concert Review: Silversun Pickups return to The Music City with some of their best work yet.

By: Dylan Basden

Marking their first show in Nashville since July of last year where the band opened for Greta Van Fleet, and their first headline show in the city since 2022, Silversun Pickups fans were more than eager to see the band again in their full capacity. Stepping into Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl fans were greeted with a packed house with an eclectic mix of people of all ages and backgrounds.

Now nearly a quarter-century into their career, Silversun Pickups have truly cemented themselves in modern indie-rock as legends. The band is on the road in continued support of their 2022 release Physical Thrills, the band’s first foray into the 2020s. After cutting their teeth commercially in the latter half of the 2000s and expanding on that throughout the 2010s, the band has seen substantial sonic growth, something immediately heard in their live set.

Combining elements of post-punk, shoegaze, and dreampop into a cathartic alternative style, Silversun Pickups continue to push the envelope not just in their recordings, but they manage to translate their sound to the live setting with ease. Fronted by Brian Aubert on guitar, the rest of the band follows suit with Nikki Monninger on bass and secondary vocals, Joe Lester on keys and synths, and Chris Guanlao on drums. Despite the relative size of the band, clocking in at only a quartet, the group manages to fill out a massive sound through reverb, delays, and sound manipulation. Pound-for-pound, Silversun Pickups swings well above their weigh class.

Soaked in red lighting, Silversun kicked off the night like the engine of a seasoned racer. “Growing Old Is Getting Old’s” slow and building rumble led way to an explosive opening, with the band effortlessly switching into gear and upping the ante. This song felt fitting for a reintroduction with the crowd, the band made it known that despite being over two decades into their career they were not ready to slow down. 

Shortly after, the band broke out into what I think is an incredible three-song catalog-spanning run in “It Doesn’t Matter Why,” “Panic Switch,” and “Scared Together.” Balancing a setlist can be difficult for bands with such extensive discographies, but not only did Silversun pull this off, they each highlighted different members of the band flawlessly. “It Doesn’t Matter Why” brings out some incredible dynamics in Aubert’s voice and the dramatic distortion on his guitar solo felt simultaneously dark and ethereal paired with some incredible manipulation from Lester. “Panic Switch” saw Guanlao’s drumming kick into high gear, staying incredibly tight and punchy, kicking the audience directly in the chest even up in the balcony. Then there was the catchy ear-worm bass line from Monninger on “Scared Together,” a repetitive chug of a groove that sticks out so well.

The rest of the night saw the band touch on hits and also deeper cuts from their discography. The Pickups have such a fun dynamic throughout theirs shows, bouncing from huge, rocking, experimental anthems into more melodic, receptive ballads. This band is unafraid of presenting their true self while performing, leaning into their more abstract thoughts and delivering a one-of-a-kind experience. There is seldom a time when you find yourself bored.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new acquaintance, Silversun Pickups puts on an incredible show that is worthy of your time. There is something to be said about a band who can continue to deliver a new and exciting show year over year. For me personally this was my third Silversun show, with each show bringing a unique experience. In Nashville, that was witnessing the longevity of a band that refuses to relent, eager to continue their career and push their music to new and exciting places. 

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