Spreading Sweet Sounds on the Pollen Trail: Tennis's Buzzworthy Tour
Article Written by Destiny Ross Photography by Alec Moody
The energy in the atmosphere was electric as fans eagerly waited for one of the biggest Downtown SLC venues, doors to open, anticipating the start of an unforgettable concert experience. Lined down the side of downtown Salt Lake City venue, The Depot, indie fans alike awaited in the cold breezy weather as we all became antsier by the minutes passing. More and more fans piled the lines and added to the crowd’s excitement and angst to get in. Fans that purchased their “fast passes” made it in earlier and got to take a look at the merch offered while they waited to be let in to claim their spots.
Tennis, the indie-pop duo from Denver, Colorado, has been on a steady rise since their debut album, Cape Dory, released on New Year’s Day of 2011. With their charming, vintage-inspired sound and dreamy melodies, their style happens to be one of the best at blending indie-pop with retro elements, creating one of the most nostalgic and dreamy atmospheres which makes Tennis stand out compared to other indie bands. This husband-and-wife team of Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley has gained a loyal fanbase over the years and now, in 2023, they're embarking on their "Pollen" tour, headlining as they bring their signature sound to cities across the United States and Canada.
One of the bands accompanying Tennis on this tour and specifically our show and the remainder of the tour, is Loving, a Canadian indie band that blends elements of psychedelic rock, folk, and soul. Their laid-back, groovy sound perfectly complements Tennis's retro-inspired aesthetic, making for a night of music that's both nostalgic and fresh. Their sounds pair perfectly together so if you’re a fan of Tennis you’ll enjoy Loving, and if you’re a Loving fan then you’ll most definitely love Tennis. This proves the undeniable fact of indie music magic. The band of five came out and provided such a laid-back atmosphere while still equipping the introspective lyrics sung by the sweet voice of their lead singer, David Parry.
If you’d never heard Loving before you might end up in a trance-like state with how relaxing yet hypnotic their style is. They spoiled the audience with some unreleased songs as they knit them into the set of fan-loved favorites. Songs like “A Long Slow Little Wave/Citizen, an Activity” simply make it impossible not to tap your toes. Having five band members you think the sound would get lost or muddy, but every instrument had its purpose in making its sound and you could tell. Their music laces early Beatles with the evolving sound of indie making their discography timeless.
As the band members of Tennis filed on stage, the husband and wife duo followed closely behind to find their spots and the crowd shook the building with excitement. The crowd’s screams only grew as lead singer, Alaina Moore, tried to start their first track. The lights finally dimmed low as the backdrop displayed pastel colors focusing the energy to create a dreamy setting to match their sound alike. Moore, with a tambourine in hand, played the first note of their hit song “One Night with The Valet” and their fans went ballistic as they sang along to every word. Tennis transported every member of the audience especially with Moore's smooth and soothing vocals filling the room, shifting the audience to a different time and place.
Throughout the night, Tennis played a mix of old and new songs, showcasing their growth as a band over the years. Moore made sure to point out that The Depot in Salt Lake City was one of their first venues to ever play in as a band and now they're back, headlining a packed show in one of their first-ever venues traveled to. This made the interactions between the audience and the bandmates much more special as Alaina shared more thoughts in the lulls of each break between the songs. From playing classic song’s like “My Emotions Are Blinding” to new chart toppers off their newest album Pollen like “Forbidden Doors”.
Their arrangement was vast enough to fill the whole stage yet so intimate and complex providing an experience not easily forgotten. There were several setups intertwined with their original placements, creating endless opportunities for song choreography between the band. Some had Moore set up in the middle of the stage facing Riley showing off their beautiful charismatic chemistry and others had Moore set up facing the crowd as she sang ballads to us and called us her “children”. Tennis' music is the perfect soundtrack for a lazy Sunday afternoon or a summer road trip with the top down. They have garnered a strong following in the indie music scene and have become one of the most beloved bands of the genre. Their reputation grows with each release and they prove they’re worthy of it with each note played. Tennis will continue to rise each year with the help of their iconic synths, catchy guitar riffs, and melodious vocals.
