By Josh Kitchen / May 29, 2024
Photo by: Danielle McDuffie @danmcduffs
Bully played a sold out show at the Echo on Thursday night. Formed in Nashville by Alicia Bognanno, the band never let you know they were about to play to some of the biggest crowds of their career in the days that followed. 350 Angelenos were squeezed into the tiny venue on Sunset Blvd to watch Bully play behind their excellent, hook-filled confessional fourth album Lucky for You, out on Sub Pop. For Angelenos, The Echo has become a reliably cozy, beloved spot to see your favorite band swing through when they want a night to remind them of the club days. The vibes are intimate, and you can watch a band with a bag of popcorn or a slice of pizza from the bar that sits a mere four feet from the stage.
Supported by the excellent Reckling, who no doubt made a few fans of their own during their frenetic and guttural half-hour set, Bully played Lucky for You in full, albeit not in order. She even played "How Will I Know" twice, once with the band, and again to open the solo piano encore. "Plot twist: piano time," Bognanno declared after the crowd desperately applauded for more. She ended the show with her latest single, the heartbreaking "Atom Bomb," which is a serious song of the year contender.
Bognanno displayed her great guitar skills over a 65 minute set, her raspy voice sounding even better than on record. The band sounded best on killer tracks like "Lose You" that features Soccer Mommy on the album, and "All I Do." You wouldn't have guessed that the following night Bully would be opening for Queens of the Stone Age at the Santa Barbara Bowl. But that's what makes shows like this even more special, the feeling that this is just for those lucky enough to be there.
Bully will be back in Los Angeles in October supporting Suki Waterhouse at the Greek. You won't wanna miss it.
Follow Bully here: https://www.subpop.com/artists/bully
Photo by: Bobbi Rich
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