Photos: Grouplove and Milo Greene at Also I Like to Rock

Grouplove by Laurie Scavo

By KCRW’s Monika Scott

Savvy fans filed in early at the Hammer Museum for last night’s Also I Like to Rock show. I’m pretty sure we all knew the secret, that this show was going to be something really special.

While you couldn’t see endless hordes of girls donning “Slave Leia” costumes in the crowd like at certain other events happening in SoCal last weekend (I’m looking at you, Comic Con) we were treated to something even more significant: a night of free, live, uniquely Californian music.

KCRW’s Eric J Lawrence started the night out with the perfect sounds for a (surprisingly breezy) summer night in The Hammer’s charming outdoor courtyard. Milo Greene started their set right on time, with the audience packed in and ready to rock. Their songs were just plan fun, and not to mention as soothing as the breeze with wispy guitar and sweet voices. Don’t be fooled by the sweetness of their music though, their energy was a force to be reckoned with.

And then there was Grouplove…

Even Grouplove’s sound-check was filled with very enthusiastic, albeit punctual, fans! Their actual set was more than any one could have dreamed of. The Hammer had a sudden epidemic of people bursting into dance, as their songs gave us all visions of drives to the beach with your friends on a bright summer day. Their chemistry on stage was infectious as I could see everyone in the audience getting closer as their set went on. By the end, we were all friends.

If you missed it, or want to relive the connection, check out their live set on MBE here.

It’s so bittersweet to see the last week of the Hammer and KCRW‘s Also I Like to Rock series already approaching next week. While I know it’s going to be an amazing show with The Henry Clay People and Lady Daville, I just wish it was never going to end.

See you all there next week!