LIVE REVIEW: Violet Grohl in Somerville, MA (09.24.26)
Last Thursday, Violet Grohl played a sold-out show at Crystal Ballroom in Somerville. With a simple set and lighting, the 20-year-old showcased her amazing vocal capabilities. She’s got range, from quiet dream-pop to angsty alt-rock to aggressive grunge. A small stage fan blew back her long, wavy hair the entire time, adding to the moody indie rock vibe of the evening.
The show was quick and cool with no encore. Her debut album, Be Sweet to Me, released in the spring, has a run time of 31 minutes. It actually took me longer to find parking – usually I don’t have an issue parking in Davis Square – than the length of her set. It was definitely worth seeing her, though. She’s a lovely and talented young woman. If you’re a fan of Japanese Breakfast, Snail Mail, Soccer Mommy, and 90s bands like Veruca Salt, Sleater-Kinney, Hole, Mazzy Star, and Fuzzy, you’ll like Violet Grohl.
“THUM” showcased sweet and yearning vocals and heavy, infectious guitar hooks. The vocals are very reminiscent of Japanese Breakfast. “Cool Buzz” featured sultry, smooth vocals and an alt-rock edginess. “Bug in the Cake” was a blistering indie rock tune with lower-octave vocals. “Last Day I Loved You” is another standout with fuzzier vocals and an urgently sung chorus. Really catchy beats. Violet performed the atmospheric, melancholy, and gorgeous “What’s Heaven Without You,” which she wrote in memory of David Lynch. She closed the set with breathier vocals and a slower-tempoed “Plastic Couch.”
Violet’s a quiet person and didn’t say all that much throughout the short set. She did share that it was her first time in the Boston area. She comes across as humble and super appreciative. She introduced nearly every song by saying the name and then “hope you like it.” At one point she said, “I’m overwhelmed” to the adoring crowd. When that elicited more cheers, especially from an exceptionally enthusiastic group at the front, she said: “I love you guys. You’re so sweet.”
As the daughter of Foo Fighters frontman and Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, she definitely fits into the much ballyhooed “nepo baby” category. But, there’s nothing wrong with that. She’s clearly determined, focused, and most importantly talented. She was only 12 years old when her father brought her onstage at a benefit concert at Fox Oakland Theatre to support UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital to sing Adele’s “When We Were Young” with him. Now here she is, headlining her own tour with a backing band.
Featured image by: Bella Newman
