Live Review: The Beths with Phoebe Rings at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, 10/31/25

This is maybe only the second time in the Beth‘s career performing on Halloween. Singer Elizabeth Stokes replied to a fan, “Have we ever played on Halloween? I think the only time was in 2014.” Guitarist Jonathan Pearce chimed in, “Yeah, it was in my flat.” Stokes added, “You were dressed as Jesus. All you need is a beard and a sheet.” On this evening in Atlanta, the band took the stage to John Williams’s Jurassic Park theme with Stokes in all black wearing shades (as chaos theorist Ian Malcolm), Pearce dolled up as Ellie Sattler, drummer Tristan Deck looked a lot like Alan Grant, and bassist Benjamin Sinclair donned a blow-up dinosaur (Godzilla?) costume dubbed “T-Rex/Velociraptor.” And yes, he wore that thing all night.

On this, the second stop on the “UK & EU & North America” tour promoting their fourth studio album Straight Line Was A Lie, the Auckland, New Zealand band played all but one off the new release. The night was a solid mix of old and new (if going back to 2018 can be considered old). Opening the show with the title track, Stokes yelled out halfway through the tune, “What’s up, Atlanta! Happy Halloween!” With clear crowd faves, the band pushed the new stuff heavily, and it worked. While they continue to evolve musically, the foursome has laid claim to a style all their own. The humor and camaraderie among the four friends is infectious. It’s that recognizable New Zealand sense of humor that keeps you laughing and makes you happy, with uber-mature songwriting and musicianship to match.

Their usual indie rock ethos has been tempered with some new heartfelt beauties like “Mosquitoes” and especially “Mother, Pray For Me.” The heart-wrenching tune discusses Stokes’s complex relationship with her own mom regarding faith and tradition. It was Elizabeth alone onstage with a guitar singing, “Mother, don’t cry for me / I have done enough injury / I wanted to hurt you for the hurt you made in me / And I know that I’m why you cried / Mother, pray for me.” It was a beauty.

Another seemingly “sad” tune is the new “No Joy,” which is anything but. It’s one of the band’s more caffeinated and “happy” tunes. “All my pleasures, guilty / Clean slate looking filthy / This year’s gonna kill me,” sings Stokes. Is this a reflection of depression? Is it sarcasm? Some among us can’t find a silver lining no matter how great things are going. And things are going swimmingly for the Beths. One of the tightest ensembles around, these four never fail in delivering solid live sets.

Flipping the girls-sing-backup-to-guy script, the three musketeers provide smooth and wonderful harmonies to Stokes’s lead. It works like magic. Brilliant songwriting and one hundred and ten percent effusive energy from each musician made for a superior live music experience (and the crowd matched that energy). So many terrific tunes were rolled out including, “Future Me Hates Me,” head-over-heals love song “Little Deaths,” “I’m Not Getting Excited,” and the set closer, “Expert In A Dying Field.”

The band returned for one encore, the new upbeat “Take.” It’s a rocker and a fitting closer. Once again, the Jurassic Park theme wafted through the Variety as the quartet took a final bow and set off for adventures 65 million years in the making.

Opening the show were former Beths’ Carpark label mates and New Zealand compatriots Phoebe Rings. Headed up by South Korean-born singer Crystal Choi who relocated to Auckland at a young age, the dream pop outfit won new friends and influenced a packed Variety house. Another foursome with three dudes supporting a female lead (so many things in common!), all four members dressed as felines…whiskers and cat ears all around. Touring with their new debut album Aseurai, the band flowed through a dreamy set with the effervescent Choi bringing smiles to all. Check out their sweet cover of Beach House’s “Astronaut.”

For more tour information and to check out music from both bands, visit their websites at THE BETHS and PHOEBE RINGS.

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