New Zealand-based group The Beths have made introspective indie rock spanning four albums- from Future Me Hates Me in 2018 to this year’s LP Straight Line Was a Lie. The four-piece’s steady stream of upbeat sound yet emotional lyrics has garnered fans across the globe, and for the act’s headlining evening in Dallas, thousands of miles and a broken down van wouldn’t stop the band from making a deeper connection with the audience at The Studio this week.

The fellow New Zealanders of opening act Phoebe Rings instilled a more pop and 70s soft rock sound for their chill introduction to the crowd. Vocalist and keyboardist Crystal Choi remarked during the set that this was the band’s first time in the US, and appeared immensely grateful to be there.

With a bare production, Phoebe Rings let the music take center stage for the feel-good jazzy pop they’ve crafted.

The Beths are not the time of band to have a bombastic live performance, but the songs themselves were clearly enough to make a connection with onlookers.

One of the highlights of the set was near the end as the band jammed and let out some energy. Most of the setlist was focused on songs from Straight Line Was a Lie, which as an album with a slightly slower pace than before, gave the set some more dynamically diverse elements.

Frontwoman Elizabeth Stokes let out a few jokes and light-hearted humor between songs- making the performance feel like a relaxed and jovial experience as the band blazed through tracks with simply a backdrop and illuminating lamps.

The Beths showcased what they do best: no frills, fun indie rock without the pomp and circumstance to distract from clever songwriting and a bond with fans.

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