Briston Maroney & Peach Pit at The Greek Theatre 6/11

Written by Claire Hookstra

Image courtesy of Live Nation

The ‘Long Hair, Long Life Tour,’ co-headlined by indie-rockers Briston Maroney and Peach Pit, took over The Greek Theatre on June 11, 2025. Under a full moon, the Strawberry Moon to be exact, the bands sang their hits and deep cuts alike, long hair flipping in the cool Californian winds. 

After an opening set by Chicago’s own BNNY, Briston Maroney took the stage at 8 p.m. with the sun still shining. The stage, decorated with large amounts of whimsical fabric and eclectic eyes resembling monsters, transported the audience to the zany world of JIMMY, Maroney’s latest album. Running onstage in jorts, a white long-sleeve shirt, and a pink lacy dress, Maroney urged the audience to stand up and dance, to which they hesitantly obliged. The audience was quick to warm up, however, for the intricate performance of “Real Good Swimmer” confirmed Maroney’s set was not only a live show but a live spectacle. 

Two older songs, to which diehard fans sang intently, “Paradise” and “Small Talk” followed the dynamic opening song, as the sun slowly began to set. The conversational “Tomatoes” boomed through the speakers next. Running back and forth, fully utilizing the stage, Maroney continuously threw his arms up urging the crowd to stand and dance and let it all out. By “Better Than You,” arguably my favorite song on the record, the entire Greek Theatre had filled in and everyone swayed and screamed back at Maroney, “I don't wanna be the best / Just better than you / Fuck, who am I kidding?” 

Maroney ran offstage and reappeared with an Igloo ice chest, handing out sodas and La Croixs to the GA crowd in front of him. A successful bit, the crowd oohed and ahhed as he jokingly held up each drink can, seeing how the theatre would react to Diet versus regular Coke. Peach Pit’s Dougal McLean joined the stage to play violin for stripped-down and acoustic versions of “Land of Light” and “Caroline.” Soon after the concert “campfire” (characterized by audio of a crackling fire and bug noises” Maroney led the crowd in a narrated “chakra cleanse” before continuing his set. This is what makes Briston Maroney's shows so captivating, just when you think it can’t get any more out-of-the-box, he finds a way to throw the box completely into the ocean to where you forget it even existed. 

Shouting out Pride Month before playing “Be Yourself,” a song about, you guessed it, being yourself, the honest plea of wanting to stay true to what you feel and what you want out of life struck a chord with the audience. I watched couples hold one another and solo attendees wipe back tears as Maroney played the ballad. Ending the set with his hit “Freakin Out on The Interstate,” Maroney rocked The Greek Theatre. One of the most dynamic and interesting artists out there today, his reflective and emotional lyricism, indie rock n’ roll production, and wild stage setups never fail for an outstanding show. 

Staying true to the “long hair” theme of the tour, Peach Pit and their long locks took the stage just thirty minutes after Maroney in a hue of deep blue light. Beginning with an intro of “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath, the group seamlessly transitioned into “Magpie” as lead vocalist Neil Smith energetically swung his hair back and forth. 

Guitarist Christopher Vanderkoy maximized his stage time, using the edge of the stage to get as close to the crowd as he could, greeted by seas of applause and screams. “Drop the Guillotine” and “Psychics in LA” kept up the pace, as The Greek Theatre sang back to the band with energy. 

After relaying how amazing it was to be playing at the iconic venue, Smith explained how the band had to google when and where their first show in Los Angeles was, for it was their very first show in America after getting their start. One of the first anecdotes of the night, the band dove into “Black Licorice” before slowing down the tempo with the soft-rock “Up Granville.” One thing I noticed specifically about this set was that each song throughout the set was perfect for swaying along to, hugging your friends, and truly taking in the mountain air on that cool night. In contrast to the perfected artistic chaos of Briston Maroney, Peach Pit was decorated with blue light, long guitar jams, and relaxed vibes. 

Still captivating, however, the set moved swiftly between songs as the band worked through “Give Up Baby Go” and “Outta Here” before the love song “Did You Love Somebody.” Smith blushed as he explained that he had written the song about his then-girlfriend and now-fiancee. A bright spotlight shone on Smith as the song was more acoustic than the rest, a beautiful way to exhibit the ode to his love. 

The crowd was back to jumping and dancing for “Alrighty Aphrodite” and “Shampoo Bottles” as the band’s hair went flying once again. Smith moved to each side of the stage after standing on a platform in the center for most of the set, engaging with every inch of the audience that filled the amphitheater. As the last song before the encore, “Private Presley” concluded, fire shot out of the stage much to the audience’s amusement. 

The ‘Long Hair, Long Life Tour’ was outstanding. Something I decided to deem as the touring “Indie Coachella,” Briston Maroney and Peach Pit complement each other's sounds beautifully, putting on a nearly 3-hour show for their fans. The show gave off a sense of community, seas of merch for each artist from years past filled the venue, fans old and young, new and old. Under the Strawberry Moon, I, along with many others it seemed, left feeling lighter like all the weight of the world had been lifted off of me for those three hours of indie-rock excellence.