The Beaches have No Hard Feelings in Seattle

Seattle has been good to The Beaches, and last week proved the feeling is mutual. The Toronto-born quartet—Jordan Miller (lead vocals, bass), Kylie Miller (guitar), Leandra Earl (keys/guitar), and Eliza Enman-McDaniel (drums)—closed out the U.S. leg of their No Hard Feelings Tour at Showbox SoDo with a set that was equal parts catharsis and celebration. This wasn’t just another gig; it was a victory lap for a band that’s spent the last two years skyrocketing from indie darlings to alt-rock powerhouses.

We were lucky enough to catch The Beaches right when they hit their breakthrough moment with Blame My Ex in 2023—a record that gave us viral anthem “Blame Brett” and earned them a Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. That era saw them selling out two nights at Neumos and later opening for Girl in Red at the Paramount as their audience swelled. Fast-forward to now: they’ve won Group of the Year at the Junos two years running, played major festivals like Coachella, and dropped their third studio album, No Hard Feelings, a bold, hook-heavy exploration of heartbreak, queerness, and unapologetic fun. Singles like “Last Girls at the Party,” “Did I Say Too Much,” and “Lesbian of the Year” have cemented their status as one of alt-rock’s most exciting forces.

Showbox SoDo was buzzing long before the first note. The industrial-style space—with its exposed beams, high ceilings, and raw concrete floors—gave the night a gritty, authentic vibe that perfectly matched The Beaches’ aesthetic. The crowd packed in shoulder-to-shoulder, creating a sea of anticipation that pulsed like a living organism. Lighting shifted from moody blues and purples during intros to fiery reds and golds for high-energy tracks, while warm amber tones softened the room for acoustic moments. Spotlights swept across the audience during choruses, making fans feel like part of the performance. Between the band’s playful banter and the roar of voices singing every lyric, the venue felt less like a concert hall and more like a massive house party—intimate, chaotic, and full of joy.

The night opened with a clever playback of a phone ringing and Jordan’s voice greeting the crowd as the band walked on stage—all four dressed in black, exuding effortless cool. Fans roared as they launched into “Last Girls at the Party,” a track that’s become their signature closer but here served as an audacious opener. From the jump, the energy was electric.

Jordan switched to bass for “Grow Up,” while Kylie took the mic first: “Hello Seattle!! We’re so happy this is the last stop on our U.S. tour. We love this city so much! Ready to go out with a bang?” The crowd answered with deafening cheers, beer cans raised high—especially when Kylie shouted out anyone “drinking amazing beer from Seattle!!” before playing “Shower Beer.”

One of the joys of a Beaches show is the banter, and last night was no exception. Jordan, ever the charismatic frontwoman, confessed mid-set: “If it’s two things I’m known for, it’s getting too messed up and saying too much! I called Brent the other night after drinking too much and asked him, ‘Is the song about me?’ And he said, ‘I’m not willing to engage with you about this.’” Cue laughter, followed by Leandra chiming in with her own anecdote about oversharing—a perfect segue into “Did I Say Too Much.”

Later, Eliza grabbed the mic after “Call You in the Morning” while the others swapped instruments: “As a Canadian, I have to apologize for the baseball game,” she joked, referencing the Mariners’ loss to the Blue Jays. “Thank you for coming tonight—I’m sorry, too soon? We appreciate you for being with us all this time. It’s hard to follow up such a big viral hit, and we’re so grateful you’re here.” The band played “Paranoid” pulsing with raw energy.

As the Eliza and Kylie stepped away from the stage Earl took a moment to come to the front and chat. She noticed a shirt in the audience and asked if she could have it showing how much she liked it. It said ‘Your favorite lesbian’s, favorite lesbian’ which was pretty funny, and she said she was going to wear it. “Lesbian of the Year” introduced by Leandra with a heartfelt monologue: “We’re both sick because we kissed the same girl last week and now, we have strep—or maybe not. I wrote this with my friends, my allies, the people I first came out to five or six years ago. I feel lucky to have them, and I know many people don’t get that. That’s why my DMs are open.”

She played piano while Jordan sang solo, ending with a sweet kiss blown across the stage—a moment that felt intimate even in a packed venue. Earl later revealed the voice in the opening playback belonged to her ex—still her best friend: “I’ll return her sweater when I get home,” she quipped before diving into a song she wrote about her ex “Edge of the Earth.”

Before the encore, Earl teased the crowd with a playful “Let’s see who Kylie will choose tonight” during “Jocelyn,” turning the stage into a game of musical flirtation. The main set closed out with a massive sing along of “Blame Brett,” which always translates into everyone’s own version of a bad ex.

The band returned for their encore playing “I Wore You Better,” and “So Sorry for Your Loss.” Then came the reprise of “Last Girls at the Party,” introduced with a playback of Leandra saying, “One last one, right?” The entire room sang along, voices hoarse but euphoric.

As the final chords rang out, it was clear: The Beaches are still having as much fun as the first time we saw them—and that joy is contagious. From viral hits to heartfelt ballads, from messy stories to polished hooks, they’ve proven they’re not just riding a wave; they’re making their own tide.