Elvis Costello was my first concert, and I allegedly wormed
my way in. I’m told my three-year-old self threw a pretty wicked temper tantrum
until my mom, who was headed to the concert, decided it was a bad idea to leave
me alone with my grandmother, so I got to come with. A few years later, the
Bangles became the first band I requested to see. My mom happily obliged, and
what I remember from the experience is dancing in the aisle—hard—and connecting
to the music in a way that made it feel special to be a girl.
my way in. I’m told my three-year-old self threw a pretty wicked temper tantrum
until my mom, who was headed to the concert, decided it was a bad idea to leave
me alone with my grandmother, so I got to come with. A few years later, the
Bangles became the first band I requested to see. My mom happily obliged, and
what I remember from the experience is dancing in the aisle—hard—and connecting
to the music in a way that made it feel special to be a girl.
In High School I got into Luscious Jackson and TLC, but it
had been awhile since my girl band itch had been satisfactorily scratched.
Until L.A.-based sister group Haim came along. I played their two singles,
“Forever” and “Falling,” to death before the group’s album
came out last month, and I’ve been making a broken record of it since. Last
Wednesday, my husband, our friend Allen, and I caught the band at the Fonda
Theater in Hollywood. It’s an intimate venue, and it was one of those shows I
know I’ll remember fondly when the act inevitably moves on to playing bigger
stadiums for bigger crowds (and bigger bucks).
had been awhile since my girl band itch had been satisfactorily scratched.
Until L.A.-based sister group Haim came along. I played their two singles,
“Forever” and “Falling,” to death before the group’s album
came out last month, and I’ve been making a broken record of it since. Last
Wednesday, my husband, our friend Allen, and I caught the band at the Fonda
Theater in Hollywood. It’s an intimate venue, and it was one of those shows I
know I’ll remember fondly when the act inevitably moves on to playing bigger
stadiums for bigger crowds (and bigger bucks).
The sisters killed it. Each of us—a woman, a straight dude,
and a gay guy—were a little turned on by how hard Haim rocked out. They didn’t
act jaded or complacent by their recent success; they seemed as genuinely
stoked to be there as the fans were. They even stopped in the middle of their
set to take a selfie.
and a gay guy—were a little turned on by how hard Haim rocked out. They didn’t
act jaded or complacent by their recent success; they seemed as genuinely
stoked to be there as the fans were. They even stopped in the middle of their
set to take a selfie.
The most fashionable part: the group nailed it in the merch
department. Pairing a concert tee with a pencil or mini skirt is one of my
go-to outfit ideas these days, so I’m always on the prowl for new ones to add
to my evolving collection, which I hope becomes the kind that my future
daughter will one day beg to borrow from. I was disappointed at the Alt Jay
concert when the rough-to-the-touch bootleg t-shirts sold outside after the
show were way chicer than the ones the band was shilling inside. Although I was
initially excited that Vampire Weekend put lacrosse sticks on their tops (what
East Coast girl worth her salt doesn’t love a little LAX?) my excitement turned
to disappointment when it became apparent the shirt looked like something from
Abercrombie and Fitch. If irony was intended, it came across as kitsch. Leave
it to the ladies to get it right. All three of the tees for sale at Haim’s show
were cool enough to be worn by Este, Danielle, and Alana themselves. I bought a
basic white tee with the signature Haim logo on the front – perfect to rock
with everything. I was a tad disappointed that the tour dates weren’t listed on
the back but when it comes to fashion there’s nothing wrong with keeping it
classic.
department. Pairing a concert tee with a pencil or mini skirt is one of my
go-to outfit ideas these days, so I’m always on the prowl for new ones to add
to my evolving collection, which I hope becomes the kind that my future
daughter will one day beg to borrow from. I was disappointed at the Alt Jay
concert when the rough-to-the-touch bootleg t-shirts sold outside after the
show were way chicer than the ones the band was shilling inside. Although I was
initially excited that Vampire Weekend put lacrosse sticks on their tops (what
East Coast girl worth her salt doesn’t love a little LAX?) my excitement turned
to disappointment when it became apparent the shirt looked like something from
Abercrombie and Fitch. If irony was intended, it came across as kitsch. Leave
it to the ladies to get it right. All three of the tees for sale at Haim’s show
were cool enough to be worn by Este, Danielle, and Alana themselves. I bought a
basic white tee with the signature Haim logo on the front – perfect to rock
with everything. I was a tad disappointed that the tour dates weren’t listed on
the back but when it comes to fashion there’s nothing wrong with keeping it
classic.
This post is part of an on-going series with Los Angeles Magazine. Every other Wednesday I share the L.A. shops I love, my most recent purchases and fashion musings as a contributor to The Clutch style blog.
