On a Saturday night, fans of indie pop gathered at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl to witness Tennis, the iconic husband-and-wife duo from Denver. The band embarked on their final tour, aptly named “The Farewell Tour”, in celebration of the release of their final album, Face Down In The Garden, as well as a celebration of their long musical career. Fans were eager to see the duo play one last time, and this feeling was palpable inside the venue. Joined by Billie Marten as the opening act, the room filled up during her set and was full by the time she completed her last song. As the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted in cheers as the duo walked onstage. Opening with “I’ll Haunt You”, the opening track from their 2020 album, Swimmer, the audience was instantly transported into the dream-like world that Tennis has created over the years. Throughout their performance, they perfectly mixed their classic vintage vibes with modern charm. From the moment Alaina Moore stepped onstage, her ethereal vocals floated effortlessly above the band’s instrumentation, giving the music the nostalgic feel that the band is known for.
The atmosphere felt like stepping into a retro music video, and the audience was hanging onto every note. The setlist included favorites such as “Need Your Love” and “Runner”, which showcased Patrick Riley’s effortless guitar playing. The shimmering tone from his guitar blended perfectly with the drums and bass, as well as with the playful notes ringing from Moore’s keyboard. The chemistry between Moore and Riley was almost tangible as they gleamed at each other throughout their set. The duo danced onstage, showcasing their playfulness while also maintaining their grace in their movements. The show felt especially intimate as Moore spoke to the crowd with anecdotes between songs, revealing more emotion behind their tunes. Though bittersweet, Tennis gave their all for their final Nashville show, and the audience definitely felt the enthusiasm from the duo. Tennis has the rare ability to transform the venue from an empty space to a lush, vintage inspired landscape that is addictingly nostalgic. It was a perfect end to Saturday night, and a perfect end to their musical saga.
- Emily Duncko
Photos Courtesy of Emily Duncko (For Bell Music Magazine)
