After a frigid first two days of Coachella, New Jersey’s Real Estate provided a ray of sun on the hottest day yet.
Their sophomore album, Days, is one of those gentle jammers that you listen to on your way through the suburbs.
But don’t be fooled by the soft singing of frontman Martin Courtney and the beach-ready jams from lead guitarist Matt Mondanile’s Fender Jazzmaster.
The band seems to have grown from one that fit solely in the lo-fi, sun-drenched pop bin to real rockers.
Live, Real Estate was tight as ever, with Jackson Pollis’ drums and Alex Bleeker’s bass providing more of a pronounced backbone than heard on their self-titled debut.
While the audience – which filled the Mojave Tent to the brim Sunday afternoon- was happy to hear some old favorites, such as “Fake Blues, the new tunes were definitely highlights.
“It’s Real” drew oohs and aahs as the first notes were played, and “All the Same” proved to be an excellent closer, with Pollis and Mondanile extending the jam for a few minutes.
Real Estate’s show was a chill moment to a hot day, but this band is putting to rest their association with chill wave.
