July 1^st saw a host of new bands performing at The Echo on Sunset in LA. Openers Soft Healer, Dunes, and Crocodiles set the mood for headliners Dum Dum Girls.

Doors opened at 8:30, with first openers set to begin at 9:00, but before that many of the artists were hanging around the audience in the venue. Soft Healer started promptly on time, and played a short 20-minute set filled with psychedelic songs. Dunes were a bit mellower, with the lead singers mic turned down too low. Crocodiles were a variation from the thus far female-fronted theme of the night, the lead singer being the husband of Dee Dee, the lead singer, of the Dum Dum Girls. Crocodiles played about a 30-minute set, but it was filled with punk and rock influenced songs that got the crowd pumped up. Their stage presence encouraged the audience to dance and participate the whole time, and got everyone ready for the main act.

Headliners Dum Dum Girls took the stage at midnight, and after three openers the crowd was excited for their performance. They were very interactive with their audience, and were dancing around and making everyone else dance. They opened with a cover of the Rolling Stones and then proceeded to play songs off their recently released album “I Will Be,” which Pitchfork rated an 8.2. Highlights of the set included single “Jail-La-La” and equally popular “Everybody’s Out.” Their 60’s classic girl-group sound was eminent throughout the night and their punk-rock style guitar riffs and quick-paced bass lines incited exhilaration throughout the set. After their short but entertaining set, Dum Dum Girls returned for an encore before heading upstairs to the private section of the venue. For being so new, Dum Dum Girls knew how to take control of their audience and give them exactly what they wanted.

–DJ Aurora