The boys of the Sun Room proved feel-good rock ‘n’ roll isn’t dead as they took to Madison’s Majestic Theatre with a refreshing yet classic sound.
With sandy, grown-out hair, lead singer Luke Asgian, lead guitarist Ashton Minnich and bass guitarist Max Pinamonti kicked off their North American tour Monday night with a setlist equally as bright-eyed and energetic as the crowd before them.
The tour follows the release of their recent extended play (EP), “Outta Their Minds,” and is the group’s second North American tour. Sun Room also opened last year for well-known bands like the Inhalers and Louis Tomlinson.
Sun Room gained popularity for their revitalization of the ‘60s surf sound aided by the algorithmic success of TikTok, which helped establish a fanbase eager for a new take on a classic sound.
Although they looked the part and sang vocal harmonies very reminiscent of the ‘60s surfer style, Sun Room’s sound felt more rebellious than their predecessors. Their new EP leans into the sound of college-age garage rock.
The sound is still clean and groovy but incorporates edgy guitar licks and heart-racing tempos.
This combination of a drum-forward, big guitar sound was refreshing and proved just how into the music these boys were. They used each other's sound to play off one another, and the crowd mirrored their passion.
The band leaned heavily into the musicality that often flourishes in small, close-knit college bands and mimicked the styles such bands have perfected during house shows or garage concerts.
Sun Room’s energy is very youthful, so much so that it’s difficult to believe that they’ve found a sensible way to combine grunge and surf sound. But they do, bringing something up-and-coming to the music scene.
The music was heartfelt, and Sun Room’s performance truly illustrated the personal connection the artists have to their music. It’s easy for newer musicians to fall back on clichés when talking about adolescence, growing up and navigating the adult world, but Sun Room manages to create a down-to-earth performance that demonstrates the carefree spirit of young adults today.
The boys played confidently but didn't take themselves too seriously. They were there to connect with fans and have fun, which is essentially what their EPs are all about: being able to let go once in a while and experience the joys of being young.
Sun Room’s sound evokes nostalgia for summers gone by, the weeks leading up toward school or late nights driving with your friends. Windows down, stereo up and laughs all around.
Such ideas struck a chord with the college-aged crowd surrounding Sun Room as they opted to spend their Monday night enjoying the last few moments of summer and their young adult lives before being swept into the craziness of life after school.
Playing with smiles all through the night, Sun Room might’ve had a vintage vibe. But Monday night’s performance took a modern approach to the surf genre while reminding fans that authenticity and sheer talent still exist in the music world today.
