Photos: Warpaint @ Twilight Concerts | Santa Monica Pier, August 17, 2017

L.A.’s finest Warpaint fittingly closed out the Twilight Concerts at the Santa Monica Pier on a cool late summer evening, a perfect hour-long escape from this bummer of a summer. Just how far the local 4-piece has come, in terms of performance and songwriting, maturing nicely into their second decade, is fairly impressive. Their backbone is tight and punchy, the bass hypnotic and groovy, all while ethereal and dreamy at the edges. Not an easy mix to pull off as well as they do. They’ll be opening for Depeche Mode on their upcoming tour, which includes four nights at the Hollywood Bowl in October.

The concert series, in its 33rd annual edition, featured the likes Khalid, Eric Burdon of the Animals, Valerie June, Mon Laferte, among others this year. The huge attendee crowds – estimated to exceed 50,000 for some shows (Khalid cited 60,000 for his opening night show) have become a concern to Santa Monica police. As one of the highlight free traditions of a city rapidly pricing out the average, hopefully the crowding issues can be managed and the series is able to continue. –Victor

Warpaint | warpaintwarpaint.com
Twilight Concerts | santamonicapier.org