Badflower gives a feeling of hope in a world that feels like it’s ending.
written + photographed by hunter astrid
If you know me, it’s no secret that Badflower is one of my favorite bands and i was eagerly awaiting this concert for months. I hadn’t seen them since October of 2019 and it was long overdue for me, so I was anxiously counting down the hours for this show. I can confidently say that this show was better than I expected, which I did not think would be possible. Badflower is always an amazing time and Des Rocs and Blood Red Shoes were perfect matches and amazing openers to warm up the crowd for Badflower.
Badflower -
This was the second time that i saw Badflower live and this was honestly one of the best live shows I have seen in my life. The second that they all walked onto the stage I was mesmerized. The singer Josh Katz has a way of pulling in an entire crowd with his demeanor and powerful voice. Plus, his outfit of overalls with a neon pink beanie was instantly eye catching. The energy that all four of the members has is impeccable. In their performance of the song “Stalker”, Josh made his way into the crowd and performed the song in the pit. Towards the end of the song, bassist Alex Espiritu pulled out a long mirror that Josh used to apply joker-esqe makeup to play into the role of a crazed incel. They had a very diverse setlist going in between upbeat rock songs with intense rifts to heart-wrenching ballads about mental health. You will definitely be in your feelings after their set. To add to their stage presence Josh’s stage banter was the perfect amount; he mainly dogged on Bostonian’s love for Dunkin Donuts and how the last time they performed in Boston he was dropped by the crowd (I’m so sorry, I do not take responsibility).
The band formed originally in 2008 under the name Cartunes by frontman Josh Katz and lead guitarist Joey Morrow. The name was changed to Badflower in 2013 when they recruited bassist Alex Espiritu and drummer Anthony Sonetti. They started to gain attention when they played several shows in Los Angeles and were found by former NSYNC member Lance Bass. After a show at the iconic Los Angeles venue The Troubadour the band signed the label Hundred Handed (now signed to Big Machine). In March of 2015 they released their first single “Soap.”
Under the name Badflower they released the EP Temper in 2016 and two studio albums; Ok, I’m Sick in 2019 and This Is How the World Ends in 2021. Their song “Animal” was released in 2016 and helped bring them more attention and recognition; it was even used during New York Fashion Week.
Badflower only has two studio albums and I cannot wait for more music from them. Every new song they release is better than the previous and they only keep getting better as a whole. Like I mentioned before, they’re one of my favorite bands and their song ‘Fukboi’ made it to my number one most played song on Spotify in 2022. Their music sounds beautiful studio recorded and translates perfectly live with their hypnotic stage presence. I await the next tour they have and will be one of the first people in line.
MY FAVORITE SONG: Let The Band Play off of Temper (2016), Move Me, and Fukboi off of This Is How the World Ends (2021) — honestly all of their songs are my favorites.
Des Rocs -
The first time I saw Des Rocs live was all the way back in 2019 when he was on tour and opening for grandson. He immediately grabbed my attention back in April of 2019 due to his talent and charisma, yet somehow his confidence and stage presence grew immensely over the years. He moves around constantly on the stage, using up every inch of floor space, which does in turn make it difficult to catch a picture of him. His voice is one with wide range and a strong register, coming off as very soulful and aching. Seeing him perform with his guitar and popped collar made me think of a young Elvis Presley. Other than sheer talent and skill, the one other thing that remained consistent between the nearly four years since I had seen him last is that during his set Des Rocs holds his guitar behind his back and plays part of a song without being able to see. If that doesn’t scream raw talent, then I don’t know what does.
Daniel Rocco, stage name Des Rocs, is from New York and has been active since 2018. He has been performing in bars and basements since the age 13 and was in the band Secret Weapons with friend Gerry Lang before he started Des Rocs in 2018. He released his first album under Des Rocs in 2021 titled A Real Good Person In A Real Bad Place. Preceding this album, he released three EPs; Let The Vultures In 2018, Martyr Parade in 2019, and This Is Our Life in 2020.
Des Rocs has opened and toured with bands like Muse, The Rolling Stones, grandson, and The Struts. Although a solo project that’s produced and led by Daniel Rocco, he is joined on tour by bassist Eric Mendelsohn and drummer William Tully.
Des Rocs is hands down one of the most energetic artists I have ever seen live. Seeing him on stage was like getting whiplash, but in the best way possible. His performance was mesmerizing and caught everyone’s attention. He has amazing stage presence and sounds incredible live, Tully and Mendelsohn being a perfect match for him.
MY FAVORITE SONG: HVY MTL DRMR off of Let the Vultures In (2019)
Blood Red Shoes -
This was the first time I have ever seen Blood Red Shoes live and I honestly had never heard of them before. They opened with the song “Elijah” which gave me very strong shoe-gaze vibes that quickly changed into strong guitar rifts and drums. Their first song instantly pulled me in. The duo doesn’t jump around the stage full of energy when they perform, but they don’t need to. They have a more laid back and chill vibe which matches perfect with their sound. Although their music does have a lot of energetic rifts and composition, their music alone pulls in the crowds attention. Their music is perfect for any emotional state you are in; moody vibes, sad, and upbeat and happy.
Blood Red Shoes is an alternative duo from Brighton in the United Kingdom and have been around since 2004. Their genres range from alternative rock, indie rock, garage rock, noise pop, punk rock and even shoegaze. They have six full length albums; Box of Secrets in 2008, Fire Like This in 2010, In Time to Voices in 2012, Blood Red Shoes in 2014, Get Tragic in 2019 and Ghosts On Tape in 2022. The band consists of members Laura-May Carter (vocalist and guitarist) and Steven Ansell (drummer and vocalist).
They formed in late 2004 when Ansell and Carter’s previous bands broke up. The name ‘Blood Red Shoes’ came from the musical Swing Time where Ginger Rogers had turned a pair of white dancing shoes red with blood due to the amount of dancing she had done practicing for the role.
Like mentioned above, I had never heard of this band before but after their set on Monday night I will definitely be adding them to my daily mix.
MY FAVORITE SONG: I Wish I Was Someone Better off of Box of Secrets (2008)
