Bright, indie-rock/pop band Smallpools played a phenomenal show at LA’s El Rey Theatre on Friday. Not only did they bring a good time, but they also brought their friends The Romance, Caroline Romano and Grayscale — who also delivered feel-good performances as supporting acts.
Kicking off with their upbeat tracks “Nightshift” and “Passenger Side,” Smallpools had the crowd in a frenzy from the moment they walked onstage. With an array of colorful lights and stage production, each song continued to highlight the band’s effortless talent and stage presence. Performing covers of “Everywhere” (Michelle Branch; with Caroline Romano) and “Everyone Wants To Rule The World” (Tears For Fears), Smallpools continually showcased their ability to bounce from song to song and keep the audience engaged and cheering for more.
Frontman Sean Scanlon kept the party going by stepping into the crowd on multiple occasions. He hopped on the barricade during the first three tracks and then made his way through a sea of people in the crowd later during “Lovetap!” Nothing says “we love what we do” as much as jumping into an audience to get up closer and personal with your supporters.
Another fun highlight was the band’s story behind their song “Killer Whales” and the launch of an inflatable orca to be tossed around. During “Million Bucks,” Sean chose someone from the crowd to participate in a tambourine toss timed perfectly with a specific part of the performance. A crowd member named Colin was the lucky guest for the show and absolutely nailed his quick moment in the spotlight. To close out their encore, Smallpools ended on a high note with their mega-hit “Dreaming” and had the entire room bouncing from floor to ceiling with excitement.
With their glowing dispositions and enthusiastic audience reactions, it is safe to say that experiencing a Smallpools show is like flipping a switch for an instant good time. The vibrancy of their music stage presence is truly unmatched. We can’t recommend checking out Smallpools the next time they go on tour — for now, be sure to give them a listen and we promise you will get an instant mood boost. (We highly recommend, “Dreaming,” “Million Bucks,” and “Night Shift” off their latest EP, ‘Ghost Town Road (east)’ for starters!)
SMALLPOOLS – MAY 3, 2024 – EL REY THEATRE (LOS ANGELES)
