Review: Indie supergroup boygenius lives up to hype in Pittsburgh show

Can there be such a thing as an indie supergroup?

Well, if any band could stake that claim, it might be boygenius. After all, the band’s members — Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus — have released critically acclaimed solo albums. They’ve had a song prominently featured in “The Walking Dead,” and Bridgers has collaborated with and opened for Taylor Swift.

And, of course, there are the sold-out concerts — just like boygenius’ show Tuesday night at a jam-packed Stage AE in Pittsburgh. The nearly two-hour show featured every song from their 2018 self-titled EP and 2023’s “the record,” as well as four other songs.

Their show actually started backstage, as the three sang “Without You Without Them” a capella on the video screen. Dressed in complementary outfits that might be described as Catholic school meets business attire, they then hit the stage for two of their heaviest songs, “$20” and “Satanist,” the latter featuring a wall of noise on guitar from Baker as she thrashed around and whipped her hair.

The affection and mutual admiration shared among the three of them is evident, whether it was a shared smile or gentle razzing over who has the most unread text messages on their phone (the consensus was Baker). And as much as the three singers have forged a seemingly unbreakable bond, it’s also clear that fans have connected with the music.

That honesty, intimacy and passion resonated through the ever-present three-part harmonies. The trio traded verses and swapped out instruments throughout the night.

In “Cool About It,” Dacus flubbed a line, causing her to laugh. Afterwards, Bridgers joked: “I (messed) up the words two nights ago, so now it’s Julien’s turn.”

Related

• boygenius fans camp out early in hopes of prime Stage AE spots
• Review: Taylor Swift shakes Acrisure with a show for the ages
• Review: Country star Hardy rocks hard for sold-out Pittsburgh concert
• Review: Paramore puts on powerhouse performance in Pittsburgh
• Review: Blink-182 brings wild 'Rock Show' to PPG Paints Arena
• Pittsburgh area concert calendar

Sometimes boygenius ends their show by delving into each of their solo careers — Dacus’ “Please Stay,” Baker’s “Favor” and Bridgers’ “Graceland Too.” (Dacus actually had to pause her song when a fan passed out.) This time they moved that section into the middle of the set, followed by an energetic “Boyfriends,” a yet-to-be released track that just debuted two shows ago.

Before an intimate “Letter to an Old Poet,” Bridgers asked the crowd to put down their phones with the request nearly met by everyone. Coincidentally, the next song “Not Strong Enough” — also the finale of their main set — featured a wall of screens behind them.

After a short encore break, the band returned for “Ketchum, ID,” as Bridgers played acoustic guitar and Baker and Dacus climbed down nearer to the crowd, which sang the final chorus. They closed with “Salt in the Wound,” ending the show in a pile. As they fell into a sandwich with Baker in the middle, Bridgers showered each of her bandmates with kisses.

When Baker stood up, with her guitar raised above her head, her vest had come undone, revealing strategically placed rainbow X’s and leaving the band’s fans abuzz on social media. Ironically, Baker had jokingly warned everyone in the crowd to be careful about hooking up at the show because public nudity or sex acts can be considered criminal behavior in some places.

Indie pop singer Claud opened the show, playing several tracks off the upcoming album, “Supermodels,” coming out July 14 on Bridgers’ Saddest Factory label.