Speedy Ortiz

On their records, Northampton, MA crew Speedy Ortiz present themselves as heirs to the '90s indie slacker throne. But live, the band's musicianship shines through, as do the chops of singer Sadie Dupuis. Her lyrics are clearly the centre point for the band's jammy guitar work, which are given more purpose and direction on stage. Still riding the wave from this year's Real Hair EP, they nevertheless played a few new songs that continued to hone their sound. Dupuis and drummer Mike Falcone joked with each other and the crowd frequently, dropping LMFAO trivia and threatening to beat up openers Viet Cong (they didn't seem very serious about this point). Dupuis left the stage for the band's last song, joining the crowd for some guitar histrionics with fellow axe-slinger Devin McKnight and eventually ending the set in a haze of noise and feedback.