Thursday night, Boot & Saddle felt even more intimate than usual with headliner Torres there launching the U.S. tour in support of her new, sensual LP Three Futures. The indie singer-songwriter created an atmosphere that made those in attendance feel like they were a part of the heartfelt and intricately personal songs that she performed. It was a supremely electrifying evening. Here are some photos and standout moments:
1. Torres cultivated the perfect sound-to-venue-size ratio to showcase her new work
Torres is one of those unique, adaptive acts who can handle small stages at venues like Johnny Brenda’s or Boot & Saddle—turning them into intimate gather-round-the-campfire experiences—while also captivating in massive venues like the Fillmore Philadelphia or Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. I’ve seen her do both. Lucky for us, last night was one of those more intimate experiences, and a particularly juxtaposing one with the anthemic-nature of her new work booming from the modest South Philly stage.
2. The new material sizzles
Playing a set dominated by new material from Three Futures, it’s obvious that the fresh work matches the larger-than-life nature of much of her past creations. Beginning with new album opener “Tongue Slap Your Brains Out,” Torres and company slowly built up the rock and electronic sounds to a brilliant beat. She did say that she had jitters from playing new stuff on this first night of the tour, but they were hidden beneath the brilliant sounds of her vocals and guitar.
3. The meshing of her old and new sounds was seamless
One of the standout tracks from Torres’s rather new career is 2015’s “Sprinter,” which builds with energizing mini-crescendos of sound and fury. The pacing and sound of it was altered last night to a more-muted tone that gets under the skin in a different albeit still-effective way. It was one of many highlights from her set.
4. Aphra set the tone for the intimate night of song
Philadelphia-based left-of-pop act APHRA began the night with a stirring set of beats. Pairing unique dance moves along with the emotive lyrics, she conveyed a kind of raw emotion that punctuated the intimacy of Torres’s set. The lighting, which was as dim as it ever has been at Boot & Saddle, added to the feeling of being in close quarters with the performers.
