Echosmith Returns to the Spotlight on New ‘Lonely Generation’ Tour

Echosmith, the sibling trio known for radio hits “Cool Kids” and “Bright,” took their “Lonely Generation” tour to Boston’s Paradise Rock Club this past Valentine’s Day. Although the show was part of their first album tour as a band and only their second headlining tour, Echosmith graced the stage with ease and an awkward charm.

Fans of all ages filled the balcony and pit of the venue for an extended night of music. Many also appeared to be fans of the L.A. rock band, Weathers, who opened the show along with popular YouTuber Jayden Bartels. Weathers sustained a high energy set with neon hair flipping and shredding guitar solos. Their top streamed song “Happy Pills” inspired a crowd sing along, and their lyrical dance moves to “I’m Not OK” had the whole pit jumping. Jayden Bartels, a 15 year old singer-songwriter, played three original songs and covered Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” at the end of her set. The young artist was emblematic of Echosmith’s early start — lead singer Sydney Sierota was the same age, a sophomore in high school, when “Cool Kids” was first written. Still, Echosmith continued to bring their own youthful energy to the stage.

Echosmith’s set began with an extended intro to “Love You Better,” settling into the minor key shifts that drive the pulsing beats of the track, while the band members stood waiting in the shadows. The stage was multi-leveled with keyboard and soundboards raised in the back of the stage. Standing bass drums surrounded the floor, foreshadowing an epic drumbeat finale.

Wearing a pink jumpsuit and multicolored blue denim suit, respectively, lead singers and siblings Sydney and Noah Sierota were the first to step on stage. Their bright colored ‘70s outfits broadcasted their optimistic energy and certainly suited the Valentine’s holiday. Sydney immediately began interacting with the crowd, reaching out for hands in the front row as she bounced around the stage. She and Noah stayed close to the crowd the entire night, and even exited the stage directly into the crowd after the show. From their hand holding to their direct conversations with fans after the show, Echosmith’s performance was characterized by their connection to the audience.

After a warm welcome and formal introduction to the “Lonely Generation” Tour, Echosmith rattled through four more songs. Although Sydney and Noah remained energetic, a monotony developed from the simple, stagnant light effects and the neglect of both levels of the stage. The mood shifted during their more popular single “Over My Head,” and the band gained momentum with more interactive crowd elements. During “Lost Somebody,” Sydney caught and tossed back a tambourine for each chorus. After she dropped the first throw, the whole crowd cheered when Sydney got back on her game and even praised the stagehand making the throws.

The show was riddled with interludes where Sydney expressed the band’s love for Boston and their fans. Mid-set, the Sierotas’ mother came on stage to take a group picture of the band and audience. Sydney said “squeeze together,” as if inviting the audience into the family, optimistic the entire venue would fit in an iPhone frame. Their next song, “Bright,” with its warm, romantic mood, was a significant moment for the Valentine’s couples in the audience. For the single fans, Echosmith made sure to say they could be the band’s Valentine.

When introducing the back half of the set, Sydney talked about the importance of vulnerability for the band in their new album, and how they’ve written about feeling like an outsider since their start. Every action performed on stage seemed to send their message of love and inclusion to the audience.

Valentine’s Day also marked the release of Echosmith’s music video for “Follow You,” a song Sydney wrote as a wedding gift for her husband just weeks before their marriage. Sydney went on to perform an acoustic version of the song alone on stage.

The final sequence of songs brought the energy again to a high, and paid homage to the band’s humble beginnings performing covers as they played Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Stop Now.” Sydney took time to introduce the band, her brothers, and guitarist Jacob Evergreen, who replaced eldest brother Jamie when he stepped away from the band to care for his child. Sydney gave heartfelt speeches for each of the brothers, a sister happy to be living her dream alongside family.

Finally, the last song of the set, “Stuck,” utilized the ominous bass drums around the stage with the three siblings slamming the drum heads in unison. Fans didn’t have to scream long for the band to come back out for their two song encore. Celebrating the album, Echosmith performed their titular track, “Lonely Generation,” before the long awaited 2013 hit “Cool Kids.” Sydney took time to tell the story of “Cool Kids,” the feelings of exclusion and sadness she felt as a high schooler. To close out the night, she invited all who’d ever feel left out to raise their voices and let those feelings go.

—Staff Writer Jacob R. Jimenez can be reached at jacob.jimenez@thecrimson.com.