Michelle Shiers on March 30th, 2016

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Fans piled into the sold-out Echoplex on Tuesday night to see co-headliners Porches and Alex G. What they didn’t expect was a surprise cameo from Dev Hynes (Blood Orange), who came out bedecked in denim to perform with Porches, nor did the fans expect to be sternly instructed to lie down on the floor during the last song in Porches set. Helmed by Aaron Maine, Porches easily held attention with Maine’s bizarre between song banter and antics — including flipping off the crowd, laying belly-down on the stage and spanking himself.

In contrast, lo-fi indie-pop craftsman Alex Giannascoli, under the moniker Alex G, was far less theatrical as we might expect from someone who released his seventh bedroom-made record, “Beach Songs,” in October 2015.  Alex G pushed through his contradictory rhythms, complex arrangements and brave pitch shifts reminding his fans why they intensely enjoy being in his lush alternative thrall.

While the co-headliners seemed somewhat sonically dissimilar, Porches with their cosmic pop sheen and Alex G with his weighty lo-fi crunch, what they both have is a large stockpile of influences and inspirations, allowing neither of them to be easily cataloged. And as fans would prove at the packed Echoplex, allowing both acts to be easily enjoyed.

Porches and Alex G were supported by indie-folk outfit Your Friend.

Photos by Michelle Shiers courtesy of the Echo