The Beths Bring Whimsy to Portland’s Golden Hour
Photos by: Kim Hernandez
For more than a decade, New Zealand indie-rockers The Beths have built a reputation for turning big, complicated feelings into bright, meticulously crafted guitar pop.
The band balances sharp and witty songwriting with infectious melodies and an overall unmistakable sense of playfulness. On August 15, that unique mix made its way to Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square, where The Beths joined Beach Bunny for a co-headlining stop on their summer tour, with Wishy opening the night.
By the time The Beths took the stage, it was clear they had their own dedicated contingent in the crowd. Fans who had arrived early filled the barrier, while others could be heard mentioning that The Beths were the reason they had come to the show in the first place. The split of fans who were there for each headliner was fairly evenly split, which made for an electric vibe for the entire show. The crowd was close to capacity without feeling cramped, giving the set an intimate energy despite the size of the downtown outdoor venue.
One of the biggest standouts for me was the setting and lighting. This was my first time shooting an outdoor venue, so I had to be prepared for the lighting to change throughout the set, but the timing could not have been better. The Beths began their set during golden hour, with the Portland evening providing near-perfect weather and warm, changing light across the stage. It was a really different experience from shooting an indoor show, and I enjoyed having to adapt to the changing conditions. They opened with “Straight Line Was a Lie,” immediately setting a dynamic and lively tone before moving through a set that pulled from across their catalog, including “Future Me Hates Me,” “Out of Sight,” “No Joy,” “Jump Rope Gazers,” and “Happy Unhappy.”
The band’s playful personality was just as much a part of the evening as the songs. Between numbers, their banter touched on their New Zealand roots, adding a conversational and personal quality to the performance. The open-air setting also gave The Beths an unusual audience beyond the square itself: people watching from the surrounding buildings became part of the show. At one point, the band waved and called out to people looking on from above, while those spectators could be seen dancing along from their windows.
What made this show particularly memorable for me was getting to photograph outside for the first time and seeing how much the environment became part of the performance. I unfortunately didn't have time to photograph people moving through the crowd, although there were definitely some great outfits and makeup throughout the night.
The set moved effortlessly between the buoyant and the bittersweet, with songs like “Til My Heart Stops” and “Little Death” leading into a closing stretch capped by “Expert in a Dying Field.” By the end, the evening had delivered exactly what the setting promised: an energetic, whimsical, and genuinely fun summer night with The Beths.
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