Concert Review: Wendy Darling at Belly Up Tavern

Belly Up Tavern > Wendy Darling

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Ashlie Rodriguez

San Diego, CA

Wendy Darling (1) 4/29/2009

Opening Act For Company of Thieves
[Wendy Darling]

The band came on stage after taking forty minutes to set up. After experiencing the amazing Stripes and Lines, being apart of the sold out house at Belly, and then waiting a bit too long for the next band – the crowd was antsy, bored and in need of a musical fix – ASAP.

Wendy Darling, composed of a female vocalist, a drummer, bass/banjo, and lead, began playing a techno-spacey-experimental fusion of piano, strings, and mixer – quieting the audience, and leading us on a journey through spaceland. It was pretty creative, sorta cool, and kinda enjoyable, but by song three – the borderline talent we all thought they had, had become much more clear. They are pretty dull, sorta boring, and kinda flat – resulting in a completely boring performance.

The vocalist was absolutely annoying. Her idea of being a rock singer must have been influenced by the Spice Girls, because she repeatedly made comments that put her in the “dumb/flirty chick” category, made worse by her dancing, reminiscent of an insecure 10 year-old. While her voice was quite pretty, it only held one note for the entire line up. So the only thing she had going for her was ruined by her lack of creativity. Damn.

The other members just stood there and played. I’m sure their talent was certain, but they seemed to forget it was a live show, and they were expected to entertain the crowd – a task that takes more energy than mere routine band practices.

Towards the middle of the show, the crowd got noisier than the band, and some parts dispersed to the back to smoke, to the bars forced to drink away their boredom, or just completely turned their back to the band in order better converse with buddies.

I’m sure, with much artistic renovation and creative rejuvenation, Wendy Darling could save themselves from the black abyss of bad musicians. They had cool ideas and themes, but the follow through just wasn’t there. Hopefully, somehow, they will get the message and get with the picture. If you’re going to try and play to a San Diego crowd, you got to bring your best. We don’t except anything less.

Music Genres: Alternative/Indie, Experimental, Folk, Indie Rock, Rock

Jason said:

You summed it up pretty well. The vocalist was distracting...and not in a good way. The singing left much to be desired and the 80's look wasn't working. The only thing that I "liked" were a few sounds that came from the guitar every once in a while.

05-06-2009 9:56 PM

Heids said:

There are so may stupid comments made it this review that I find it hard to pick a place to start. If you want to pick on appearances go write a fashion blog. It sounds as though your main gripe is with stage presence which is pathetic. How many times have you played or belted out words that come straight from a place that YOU most likely keep hidden? Are you on stage playing out your experiences, good and bad, to complete strangers? "the crowd was antsy, bored and in need of a musical fix", maybe this crowd wasn't looking for what this band had to offer that evening, sometimes just sitting and listening is enough. I enjoy everything about Wendy Darling, its refreshing to go see a band that isn't like every other cookie-cutter-hipster-scene sound that is out there. Trying to hard to impress and entertain instead of putting out something that matters, something substantial. Your review is pretty transparent, way to rag on another female, makes you look soooooo good. Opinions are like assholes and so . . .

07-30-2009 3:39 PM

Roar said:

Whoa whoa WHOA...while it's true Wendy Darling didn't throw live fireworks into the audience or jump off stage, I wouldn't go as far to say that they were boring (compared to this blog, which dulled me to tears). Yes, bands have off days. If you had been to the most recent Wendy Darling show, you'd see how far they've come...people were dancing, singing along and clapping til their hands fell off. This band is the very example of innovation in a music scene littered by hipsters replicas. So put a little pep in your step Miss Ashlie and venture out to another show-I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

07-30-2009 8:12 PM