Indie Pop Sisters Aly & Aj Take Their Tour To Salt Lake City’s Depot

Written By | Amanda Rice

In a dark, ambient, lightly lit stage, all that can be heard is the radio static. Moments later, it starts to get adjusted, and with each turn of the knob, soft music plays, and singing can be heard faintly in the background. It becomes clearer and soon, Aly and AJ come onto the stage as they transition to playing the music that came from the radio. The crowd erupts with high energy, and everyone unanimously sings along with the indie-pop sisters.

See more photos of Aly & Aj HERE

Their latest songs come from their most recent released album, “a touch of the beat gets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun”, and over and over it felt as though they grab a hold of our hands and run away into the sunset in their song, “Don’t Need Nothing”. If I had to choose an album to play while road tripping to California, it would be this one.

Their sound has evolved, and it’s incredibly refreshing, because in a way, it acts as an invitation to escape, kicking off with the most road trip-ready opener, “Pretty Places”, which was a huge crowd favorite. The crowd swayed as “Slow Dancing” played, giving the audience a sense of peace with gentle guitar riffs, and calming lyrics, “Move the kitchen table out to the lawn. Roll up the rug the stereo’s on. All I can imagine is being in your arms”.

In their, A touch of the beat tour, it undoubtedly standouts out this year, especially within a fragmented musical landscape that echoes the world’s turbulent return to “normalcy.” There’s an instant familiarity to the music, which plays like much-needed reassurance.

Photos By | Amanda Rice