Alvvays. Photo by Norman Wong.
This week, Alvvays took to NPR’s hallowed Tiny Desk for a stellar stripped-down performance of four songs from their 2022 album, Blue Rev.
According to Tiny Desk constraints, the band was allowed none of the heavy reverb and other vocal effects which saturate their produced releases. But as often occurs in the face of these rules, the raw strength of Alvvays’ lyrical charm and vivid musicality came into clearer view, highlighting an apparently natural ability to amplify shoegaze rock into a lofty universe of indie sublime. (For another win for Tiny-Desk's constraints, see T-Pain’s 2014 performance).
The Canadian band sailed with magnitude, at times airy and fluttering, at times with true alternative grit, over some of Blue Rev’s best. Songs included “Pressed,” “Tile By Tile,” “Very Online Guy,” and “Belinda Says.” The latter hit-single made Alvvays first-time GRAMMY nominees this year, selected in the category of Best Alternative Performance.
Check out the performance below.
This Tiny Desk showing comes on the heels of touring in Asia and Australia; the tour is set to pick back up in April for shows across the United States.
The performance also follows the limited edition vinyl release of Blue Rev featuring the actual Blue Rev alcoholic soda, just floating around in its lining. Unsurprisingly, the 50 copies sold out in minutes.
