By John Custodio

Peach Pit (“Alrighty Aphrodite”) performed at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo on April 9, playing a mix of classic bangers and new hits off of their recent album “From 2 to 3.”

Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, Peach Pit is an indie pop band described by critics as playing sad pop or surf rock. They released their first EP “Sweet FA” in 2016 and have released three studio albums including their most recent album “From 2 to 3” on March 4, 2022. Currently, the band is signed to Columbia Records. 

Haley Blais (“Small Foreign Faction”) and her band opened for Peach Pit, performing mildly melancholic jams to an engaged audience, something that seems unusual for a relatively unknown musician. Blais and company, comprised of three women guitarists, a man on bass and a man drummer, sang through a few of their more popular original songs including “Small Foreign Faction” and ending with “Coolest F****** B**** in Town,” with a cover of Phoebe Bridgers’ (“Kyoto”) and MUNA’s (“Anything But Me”) recent hit “Silk Chiffon” before tossing the stage over Peach Pit. Blais’s sound is a lighter tone than Bridgers with more focus on the entire band rather than Blais’s single vocals. Blais’s merchandise included t-shirts and tote bags emblazoned with the tag lines for “Coolest F****** B**** in Town.”

Peach Pit opened from complete darkness before blasting the packed audience with lights from around a dozen moving projectors and highlighted from the back by six-petaled flower lights, revealing five of the funkiest little men seen on the modern indie-pop scene. Along with the usual crew of Neil Smith as lead singer, Christopher Vanderkooy as lead guitarist, bassist Peter Wilton and Mikey Pascuzzi on drums, the band added a fifth man whose name was said only once playing keyboard, guitar and violin attached to an amp. 

The venue was perfect for the band, not too small that the crowd was packed like sardines but not too large that the band struggled to fill the room. Terraced with three levels and a large area directly in front of the band, the room had a beautiful trim of ornate golden arches. Restored in 2005 from decades of decline, the venue is reminiscent of a classic 1940s club. Complete with a full bar for those over 21, especially stocked with $5 or $6 Heinekens, the Town Ballroom was a fantastic choice for the bands to perform at.

Peach Pit played a healthy mix of new album bangers and classics, opening with their titular song “Peach Pit” before transitioning into songs from “From 2 to 3.” Every great hit was played, including personal favorite “Alrighty Aphrodite,” with anecdotes about upcoming songs from Smith occasionally. The band had incredible stage presence, albeit occasionally looking a bit dorky if the viewer took a step back. Especially interesting was the power Vanderkooy had over the crowd when he would hop back and forth inches from the front row, as he simply looks like every other guy with a ‘70s/dad-styled mustache. 

After the main set, Peach Pit ended with the heart-wrenching, gut-stabbing and brutally melancholic “Tommy’s Party” before disappearing into the streets of Buffalo. After an incredible opener, fantastic setlist and commanding stage presence, Peach Pit is a must-see for any fans.

Image from Ajsa Mehmedovic