PVRIS in Prague demonstrated the unadulterated joy of playing – MonsterMusic

After half a year, the American pop-rock sensation PVRIS showed itself to the Prague audience again, this time in the premises of Prague’s Lucerna Music Bar, namely with its own show. The last time we could see singer Lynn Gunn with her band was in October of last year, in the role of frontman for the American pop-punk legend Fall Out Boy. She also brought rising star Scene Queen for her headline concert and it was a really great night.

American PVRIS have been on the music scene since 2012. Since then they have managed to release four full-length albums and also tour the world with bands such as Must, Thirty Seconds to Mars or those already mentioned Fall Out Boy. They also managed to turn golden statuettes for Breakthrough Band or Musician of the Year at Alternative Press Music Awards and Rock Sound. The younger generation may have a project associated with the popular online game League of Legends, under whose baton singles have been released Burn It All Down and Snakes.

During the last two albums Use Me and EVERGREEN there was a change not only in the musical direction, which increasingly deviates from alternative rock to electronic pop, but mainly in the lineup of the band. Guitarist Alex Babinski was fired from the band in the summer of 2020 due to allegations of sexual harassment. This is how the trio became a duo, and the duo subsequently became a singer’s project Lynn Gunn. Sources state that although the bassist still plays in the band Brian MacDonald, is not an official member of the project since 2023. It is supposed to be about the so-called touring member, who plays at concerts and participates in their preparation, but does not participate in creation as such. Be that as it may, PVRIS they go their own way, reflect current music trends and don’t take any napkins. Which was also proven at their performance yesterday.

Sex, glitter and rock and roll

Monday evening started with a pink one Scene Queen. It should at least be mentioned that it is growing in popularity every day, and not only thanks to social networks. In recent months, she appeared on the cover of a magazine Metal Hammer and is also newly nominated in the category Best Breakthrough Live Artistalongside similarly promising rising artists such as Lake Malice or Thrown. Definition of creation Hannah Rose Collins is a kind of mirror of a superficial society as well as pointing out the issue of abuse in the music industry. First and foremost, however, the artist’s work is a celebration of herself, her own sexuality and feminism – with a large dose of irony and humorous lyrics.

The singer comes with a “bimbocore” style that revolves around glitter, pink and simplicity. She named her first two EPs with this term, and the vast majority of songs from them have pink in their titles. However, this is not some kind of Barbie pop ala Nicki Minaj. Scene Queen’s style is more like metalcore and harder genres, so there is no need for a proper breakdown and guitars. The self-titled debut album Hot Singles in Your Area is planned for the summer of this year, and it was with the new singles from this planned record that the singer started the evening.

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With a remix of the hit Barbie Girl from Aqua playing as an intro, the artist rushed to the stage and opened her half-hour set with one of the last singles in a tight, provocative outfit fingers, devoted to the topic of gratification. It didn’t take long for the ice to melt between her and the audience. A few in the crowd knew the words to each song, some even brought a themed pink cowboy hat to serve as a prop for the song MILF. There was no shortage of good humor and humor, which some would surely call awkwardness and cringe. When listening, in short, we can be on the same wavelength as her, or completely the opposite – but nothing in between is possible. There was a metal country dance party, a twerk pit opened (yes, you read that right) and a group hug with the audience was not forgotten. O Scene Queen we’re definitely not hearing the last of it.

Slower start, gradating atmosphere, minimalistic presence

A few minutes after nine o’clock it came to the main star. Band PVRIS she opened her set with the first song from the current album EVERGREENand it I DON’T WANNA DO THIS ANYMORE. With one exception, the new album was played within an hour and a half during the evening, so the song was chosen more than appropriately. About half full Lantern Music Bar was a little shy at first, and the band itself also took a little while to tune into the same note. By the third song, however, most of the club was singing along and the crowd slowly started to heat up.

The stage presence was very minimalist throughout the evening. No projections and no band logo could be found. Some bands manage to impress even without the mentioned elements, but often the result can seem cheap and incomplete. PVRIS went for the certainty of their musical strengths and really did not lack anything during the performance. Lynn showcased her vocal abilities and pitches in all their glory in the last single Oil & Water or in a song Use Me from the previous album. Thanks to this, the bland and minimalist novelty became one of the highlights of the evening.

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Although the image of the project evokes a kind of coldness, darkness and alienation, the singer on stage seems like the proverbial girl next door who, with her best friends, simply came to play a concert, share stories from her last visit to Prague and rock out not only at the microphone, but also on your guitar. This is what she played in most of her songs.

The mix of old and new sounds worked

There were guitar riffs, jamming and various improvisations, especially when transitioning between songs. Some were shortened, but thanks to that they fit together beautifully. If the shortening hurt anything, it was emotional You and I, which got kind of lost in the set, which was a shame. During vigorous burners Monster and GOOD ENEMY the moshpit was opening and the audience was really buzzing. Prague was at the feet of PVRIS and it was beautiful to watch how the band managed to combine a mix of old and new sound in a very successful show, and also that it really has more than enough strong material to its credit now. PVRIS’ qualities as a live band were doubted in the past – the first Prague performance in 2017 was received very lukewarmly.

Acoustically tuned and also less expressive compositions evoked numerous emotions live, while faster compositions caused enormous applause and chanting. Vulnerable ANYWHERE BUT HERE unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the evening and was graduated to near perfection by Lynn’s mesmerizing vocals. Title EVERGREEN again dug deep under the skin and did not let go even with the next one TAKE ME NIRVANA. There was even “I love you” spoken in garbled Czech. The singer ranks Prague among her favorite cities and it was clear that she will remember yesterday’s concert only in the best light.

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The band’s unadulterated joy in playing spoke volumes. The twenty-four-song set was closed with one of the first singles, an alternative rock-infused My House, and the complete conclusion was taken care of by the divine GODDESS.

We hope to join us PVRIS will return again with the upcoming album and that we won’t have to wait 7 long years for another headline show. Lucerna Music Bar suits them very well, and maybe it will be sold out next time. After yesterday’s performance, they certainly deserved it.

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Photo: Jana Braunová, MonsterMusic

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