Live Review: Beach Fossils, Turnover – The Novo, Los Angeles, CA

In the heart of Los Angeles, Beach Fossils took to The Novo for a night where time seemed to bend, folding in waves of indie rock nostalgia and fresh new energy that washed over an eager crowd. The evening’s prelude was helmed by Turnover, who, with heartfelt gratitude, declared this as their finest hour in LA – a bold claim for a support act, but one that the night’s atmosphere would soon substantiate.

Turnover‘s set resonated with heartfelt genuine intimacy, especially when frontman Austin Getz recounted the story behind “Super Natural”, from their album Good Nature, a heartfelt tribute to his wife – who was attending the concert. The Virginia quartet took the audience on a journey through their discography, merging fan favorites from Peripheral Vision with tracks from their latest release, 2022’s Myself in the Way. The audience was captivated when “Dizzy On The Countdown” was introduced, and the sense of camaraderie on the tour became clear as Getz continuously gave shout-outs to Los Angeles opener Provoker and their tour mates Beach Fossils, before closing with the anthemic “Take My Head”.

Listen to Turnover’s “Take My Head” below

Beach Fossils kicked off their set at The Novo with “Don’t Fade Away,” from their new album Bunny. The opening song set the tone for the evening, which followed into a smooth transition of 2017’s Somersault track “Sugar”. They kept the energy going with a throwback to the lively tune “What A Pleasure.”

The crowd’s excitement echoed throughout the venue when Beach Fossils performed “Shallow,” sending a wave of energy across the GA floor. Dustin Payseur, the lead singer, thrived on the enthusiasm of the local fans, noting the Los Angeles show felt like a “hometown show” due to the many familiar faces. He then posed a question to the crowd, asking if they’d like to hear a new song. Following the crowd’s eager agreement, the band launched into Bunny‘s opening track “Sleeping On My Own,” which was met with great applause.

There’s a certain magic when a band balances new material with beloved classics. Beach Fossils struck this balance effortlessly, weaving through their discography with an emotional rendition of 2011’s “Adversity” and driving the crowd closer to the stage with Bunny‘s “Dare Me.”

Watch Beach Fossils’ “Dare Me” music video below

At the band’s request, The Novo was transformed into a sea of lights for “Sleep Apnea,” with the crowd flipping on their phone flashlights. With the stage lights dimmed, the band delivered a soulful, stripped-down, performance that drew the guitarist Tommy Davidson to the very edge of the stage, much to the crowd’s delight.

Before playing “May 1st,” the band offered a sincere thank-you to their crew and opening acts. The song, with its lively instrumental outro matched by the equally vibrant stage lighting, captured the essence of their headline set. When the band exited to the backstage, the audience’s insistent chants of “one more song!” made an encore seem more than inevitable.

The encore, which saw the band revisit crowd-pleasing anthems such as ‘Down The Line’ and ‘Daydream,’ had the audience singing in unison – a true testament to the enduring and endearing power of Beach Fossil. On November 2nd, The Novo bore witness to a band that captivated their fans not only with a compelling live performance but also with their musical journey throughout the past decade.

For more information on Beach Fossils and their tour dates, visit their official website.