Kicking Off Summer with Peach Pit & Briston Maroney’s Double Headliner at Edgefield

Words & photos by Jenny Shackleton

On June 7th, McMenamin’s Edgefield outside of Portland, OR, hosted a memorable double headlining show featuring Peach Pit and Briston Maroney. It was the first hot day of the summer, with many concertgoers debuting their shorts for the year. Despite the intense heat, the evening was lovely, with the outdoor venue surrounded by trees and people socializing on the grassy hill overlooking the stage. It truly felt like summer

Peach Pit

Briston Maroney set the tone for the night with a stage that looked like a kooky paper mache jungle, adorned with large fake plants and a giant pink snake with googly eyes. His performance was energetic and engaging, with comedic banter between songs and moments of getting the audience to scream along with him. Maroney’s long wavy hair was styled in a half-up, half-down man bun, and he wore a cut-off tank top that said “I’m a Winner.” His setlist included fan favorites like “Freakin’ Out on the Interstate” and “Small Talk,” which had the crowd singing along enthusiastically.

As the sun began to set and the weather cooled off, Peach Pit took the stage with a simple setup featuring platforms for each member and a wall of lights behind them. They let their music do the talking, with the guitarists taking multiple solos at the edge of the stage, connecting with the crowd. The lead singer, with his long curly hair, performed some impressive hair flips while passionately playing his guitar. Their setlist included hits like “Alrighty Aphrodite” and “Tommy’s Party,” which resonated deeply with the audience. I overheard one concertgoer mention that Peach Pit was the soundtrack of their high school summers, and seeing them live brought back those cherished memories.

Peach Pit

Peach Pit recently released the ‘expansion pack’ of their 2024 record, Magpie, which dives deeper into their highly praised album released last October. The expansion pack features eight alternative versions, a cover, and a brand new song, offering an incredible listening experience. Magpie itself is a masterclass in expansive arrangement and classic sounds, touching on themes of confronting divergent paths and making hard choices in life. The album has been praised for its intricate chord progressions, complex melodies, and impressive guitar work, setting Peach Pit apart from many indie rock bands.

Overall, the concert was a fantastic way to kick off the summer, with both Briston Maroney and Peach Pit delivering unforgettable performances. The combination of great music, a beautiful outdoor venue, and the first hot day of the season made for a perfect evening that left everyone feeling nostalgic and excited for the summer ahead.

Briston Maroney