Swedish indie-rock darlings, Shout Out Louds, made their way back to Pomona touring in support of their latest album Work. Originally scheduled for The Glass House, the show was moved over to the renovated Fox Theater Pomona to accommodate a rescheduled Minus the Bear show.
It had been a while since the Shout Out Louds had made their way back to the States and maybe it was for the better. As the saying goes: Time apart makes the heart grow fonder. Sold out shows across the US proved that including two nights in Los Angeles at the El Rey.
First off, I have to say that the Fox is a great venue. When I found out the show had been moved from The Glass House the first two thoughts that went through my mind were 1) Awesome, I don’t have to put up with the prominent use of warm colored lighting gels and 2) I finally get to check out what the Fox is like since it re-opened last year. Before the renovations the Fox had been a ghost in the Pomona Arts Colony for years after hosting concerts and raves in the late ’90s. It’s once again a monument to Southern California’s art deco golden age with an atmosphere that’s closer to a Hollywood venue than anything else you’d find in the Inland Empire.
After releasing the much-loved Howl Howl Gaff Gaff in 2003, Our Ill Wills in 2007 and landing on soundtracks for “What Happens in Vegas…” and “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist” the Shout Out Louds have developed a loyal fan base. Their set wasn’t so much concentrated around tracks off Work, but more of a fan favorites type of list.
Favorites such as “The Comeback” and “Impossible” were met with cheers from the opening few notes. “Tonight I Have to Leave It” saw frontman Adam Olenius break out the cowbells and the crowd transform into a wriggling mass of smiling faces. The always-adorable Bebban Stenbor melted hearts after playing her squeezebox and singing on “Too Late, Too Slow” which is the closing track of Work.
Minus the Bear headlined the show after rescheduling from the previous Friday date with The Glass House. They put on a solid set but the contrast of energy between the Shout Out Louds and Minus the Bear was apparent. The energy was no doubt high for both bands but it was just different. Maybe it was the fact that it seemed more like Minus the Bear was just tacked onto the show but many Shout Out Loud fans didn’t stick around for the entirety of Minus the Bear’s hour and a half long set.
It was a good night for the Fox Theater so odd a pairing as the two bands might have seemed to some. Fans of both bands got a dose of great music from two great bands. As the Stockholm rockers head home, I’m sure after the reception they received on this tour they’ll be back soon rather then later.
