Last week, Hinds played eighteen shows back-to-back and ended their run with two sold-out shows at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn. The Spanish pop-rock duo put on an animated performance and stomped across the stage screaming out the words to new singles and fan favorites. Coming in at just under an hour, Hinds kept the energy high and created a rollercoaster of a concert with no breaks.
“I’m juggling tequila shots, sadness, and reggaeton” Hinds shouted into the mics, displaying the never-ending energy that propelled them through the setlist and into the audience. Their setlist was dominated by songs from The Prettiest Curse, their 2020 album with poppier melodies and powerful basslines. ‘Riding Solo’, ‘Burn’, and ‘Good Bad Times’ brought down the house with their blend of Spanish and English lyrics that feel naturally dysfunctional and emphatically real. The Prettiest Curse was the first Hinds album that included Spanish lyrics, which is a welcome addition that adds an extra touch of personality in an already authentic space.
The powerful forces of Hinds, Ana Perrote, and Carlotta Cosials, formed the band in 2014 and are working on their fourth studio album. In February, Hinds released their new single ‘Coffee’, which became the 2nd most added new song on college radio stations across the United States. Rolling Stone Magazine wrote that the song was “sure to energize you more than the beverage”. The band expressed their surprise at the seemingly hit single, saying they originally did not think this catchy tune would even make it on the new record.
In the past, Hinds has been honest about the struggles indie bands face in the music industry and are incredibly transparent when on stage. At Baby’s All Right, a string on Carlotta’s bass broke, which resulted in a wild goose chase to track down another bass for her. While the search continued, she joked into the mic, “This would not happen if we had enough money to hire a tour manager”. The duo is often recognized for their don’t give a fuck attitude, both in their music and in performances. That is not to say that Hinds do not care about their music, fans, or opportunities, but do not care what anyone thinks of them and will always say what is on their mind.
Their setlist included a cover of The Clash’s ‘Spanish Bombs’, which flawlessly fit the concert’s vibe. Hinds stated The Clash as an influence, and how impactful it was for them to hear such a seminal band “name-drop” Spain and speak in Spanish. The standout of the night was ‘Just Like Kids (Miau)’, an anthem that Hinds describes as a track highlighting how all-girls bands are treated compared to any other band. This song exhibits their frustration with lyrics such as “You’re too pink to be admired and too punk to be desired”. Hinds ended the night with ‘Davey Crockett’, the classic Hinds tune that is experimental, absurd, and incredible to sing along to live. Their ability to scream this song without being obnoxious is a feat within itself and their infectious joy left everyone in the room smiling and dancing along.