By now, we’re all conditioned to the idea that The Bends is good for at least three or four stupid-good rock shows a month, but even this one featuring Champagne Superchillin’ — a Serge Gainsbourg-worshiping new wave/pop band fronted by French expat Juliette Buchs — came out of left field. The group’s new album, Beach Deep, brushes a psychedelic haze on top of salt-licked riffs and steamy production on the way to crossing the finishing line as what should be one of the year’s best albums. It’s dark, beautiful music in a swanky dive where Glove and Fever Beam — two bands CL recently featured in its 30 Under 30 Music Issue — open the show with B-52s-style, dance floor-ready new wave and some of the most refreshing country-rock and blues we’ve heard in a long time. Somehow, some way, there is no cover for this late-night affair. The show coincides with the opening of a postcard show by St. Petersburg artist Jacqueline Amick.
Champagne Superchillin’ w/Glove/Fever Beam. Fri. Aug. 3, The Bends, 919 1st Ave N., St. Petersburg. facebook.com/thebendsbar.
See even more of the Tampa Bay live music lineup by visiting cltampa.com/musicweek every Thursday morning.
This article appears in Aug 2-9, 2018.