Bleachers rolled into Boston this September and delivered a nearly two-hour headlining set at Roadrunner that felt both loose and carefully built, a balancing act that made the night satisfying from start to finish. The venue, one of Boston’s newer mid-sized rooms, was packed wall-to-wall with fans who came ready to sing, sway, and jump. The energy in the room was electric even before the first note, and by the time the band took the stage, the anticipation had turned into a restless buzz that didn’t let up until the final encore.
What immediately stood out was the stripped-down lineup. Without horns, the band leaned heavily on guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, creating a sound that was tighter and more direct than some of their recorded work. Instead of glossy layers or over-the-top arrangements, every part of the show revolved around sharp musicianship and carefully controlled dynamics. It was Bleachers distilled to their essentials, and it worked beautifully in a live setting.
The opening blast of “Last Girls at the Party” set the tone right away. The song, already something of a fan favorite, built from a simmering start into a crashing chorus that sent the crowd into motion. The band locked into a groove early, guitars cutting through the mix while the rhythm section kept everything driving forward. From that point on, there was little chance for anyone to stand still.
They followed quickly with “Touch Myself” and “Me & Me,” two songs that hit the sweet spot between indie-rock grit and big, singalong pop. Each tune felt a little looser than the studio versions, stretched just enough to let the players breathe and react to the crowd. The audience responded with deafening choruses, a sea of hands raised and waving in time.
The first half of the set moved with deliberate pacing. “Cigarette” kept the momentum high, its jagged guitar lines slicing through the air as the drums pounded with relentless precision. “Grow Up Tomorrow” and “Shower Beer” followed, both offering a mix of bittersweet lyrics and upbeat melodies. These songs, delivered with a rawer edge than on record, drew some of the loudest singalongs of the night, their choruses bouncing off the walls of the venue like shared secrets shouted into the dark.
Mid-set, the band eased off the gas for a run of more introspective material. “Did I Say Too Much” came first, a slow-burner that let the keyboards take center stage, wrapping the room in a warm, shimmering glow. “Fine, Let’s Get Married” kept the mood intimate, its gently pulsing rhythm and plaintive guitar tones pulling the audience in closer. With the stage lights dimmed to deep blues and purples, these songs felt like private conversations despite the size of the crowd.
After that quieter stretch, the energy came roaring back with “Dirty Laundry” and “Can I Call You in the Morning?” The band sounded locked in, each instrument sitting perfectly in the mix while still carrying a sense of spontaneity. Roadrunner’s sound system deserves credit here—every detail, from the snap of the snare to the shimmer of the keys, came through clean and powerful.
The set’s final third was a showcase of pure momentum. “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid” exploded with jittery urgency, its stop-start rhythms creating a tension that had the crowd bouncing. “Everything Is Boring” turned that tension into a release, a galloping anthem that felt tailor-made for live performance. Then came one of the night’s most striking moments: “Lesbian of the Year,” performed with no guitar and minimal accompaniment. Stripped of extra instrumentation, the song’s melody carried the room, quieting the crowd before swelling into a cathartic singalong.
From there, the band pushed hard to the finish line. “Edge of the Earth,” with its expansive build, set up a thrilling closing run. “Jocelyn” came next, its soaring hook sending a jolt of adrenaline through the audience. “Takes One to Know One” and “Blame Brett” followed in quick succession, each delivered with an urgency that made the already-long set feel like it was hurtling toward a triumphant conclusion.
Of course, the crowd wasn’t about to let the night end there. After a brief break, the band returned for a three-song encore that kept the energy alive while adding a few surprises. “I Wore You Better” opened the encore with a mix of driving rhythm and bittersweet melody, setting a reflective tone. “Sorry for Your Loss” followed, slower and moodier, giving the room a moment to exhale before one last burst of energy. The band then brought the night full circle with a reprise of “Last Girls at the Party,” turning the opener into a closing celebration and sending the crowd out on a high.
Throughout the night, what stood out most was the band’s chemistry. Every transition felt natural, every dynamic shift carefully timed but never stiff. The absence of horns didn’t feel like a limitation—it gave the guitars and keys more space to cut through and made the rhythm section’s punch all the more important. Rather than relying on spectacle, Bleachers let their songs do the heavy lifting, and the results were undeniable.
The nearly two-hour set wasn’t about flashy solos or elaborate production. It was about songs that connect, musicians who listen to each other, and an audience eager to be part of something bigger than themselves. It wasn’t the kind of night that tries to rewrite the rules of live music, but it didn’t need to be. By the time the final notes rang out and the lights came up, the crowd left Roadrunner buzzing—proof that sometimes a really good show, played with heart and precision, is exactly what you need.
Setlist – Bleachers, Roadrunner, Boston, MA
Main Set:
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Last Girls at the Party
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Touch Myself
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Me & Me
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Cigarette
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Grow Up Tomorrow
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Shower Beer
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Did I Say Too Much
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Fine, Let’s Get Married
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Dirty Laundry
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Can I Call You in the Morning?
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What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid
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Everything Is Boring
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Lesbian of the Year (No Guitar)
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Edge of the Earth
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Jocelyn
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Takes One to Know One
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Blame Brett
Encore:
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I Wore You Better
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Sorry for Your Loss
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Last Girls at the Party (Reprise)
Bleachers’ night at Roadrunner was proof that a band doesn’t need elaborate production or oversized arrangements to deliver a memorable concert. With a focused lineup, a carefully built setlist, and a room full of fans ready to shout every word, they crafted a show that was smart, heartfelt, and consistently engaging—a really good night of live music, plain and simple.
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