Bears in Trees + Happy Fits | Live @ Trix, Antwerp | Friday, May 10th 2024 – Trix, Antwerp
Part 1: Bears in Trees
Bears in Trees came on my radar by way of some Instagram reels. They immediately won me over with their authentic personalities and wholesome content. I only unearthed their music at a later stage, which is a first for me, because I usually discover my tunes in a downsideup fashion. As in, the music comes first and I barely know what the artists even look like, because that’s obviously less important. (Though their authenticity and general purpleness is of great value since I can’t separate the art from the artist.)
It didn’t take long however to fall in love with their music, their highly personal lyrics and ability to tap into my vivid imagination with word and sound. Bears in Trees are hard to fit into a box genre-wise which is always a plus to me. Their sound ranging from emo punk to 80ies synth-pop over indie rock and other subtle influences, sometimes all of those combined. They call themselves ‘hardcore ukelele punk’ or even a ‘dirtbag boyband’. I call it a sound that gives me the warm fuzzies. Check out their ascent to fame in their own words below. (Subscribe to that channel, and delight in their regular postings.)
So naturally, I was pretty excited when I saw they were coming to Antwerp, in one of my most favourite venues, Trix! They’re playing the cosy Trix Café, which I am happy to experience for the first time.
I get to Trix after a swift and sweaty powerwalk on what feels like one of the first summery nights, to make it just in time for hearing the first notes from right outside. Inside the atmosphere is already one of elated joy, their fans all in and ready for the show. And what a show they bring!
How they don’t melt into puddles of sweat from that bouncy energy they exude is beyond me! I write down that the Trix Café stage almost seems to small to contain their vivacious vibes. Their pleasure for, and playfulness in performing live is apparent and infectious, as you can definitely tell in these lovely pictures, courtesy of the kind Chazz Adnit.
The fans are bouncing around and singing along to their every word. It’s clear that their new album How to Build an Ocean: Instructions has been well received and already properly ingrained in their fan base’s heads, even though it only came out a mere two weeks before. I already adored these guys and their music before, but the live version of them has completely stolen my heart.
At the end of the wonderful Bears in Trees set, I snap a very happy pre-show selfie with cellist Calvin from The Happy Fits, just before they’re about to hit the stage themselves.
On to the next chapter in an already amazing night!
Part 2: The Happy Fits
In my excitement of discovering Bears in Trees were coming to Antwerp, I only barely registered they’d be playing alongside another band. Instagram came to the rescue here as well, because not that long before the actual gig, I got bombarded with some musical reels by The Happy Fits. (Yay, to those algorithms for putting them on my path.) I get triggered immediately by the use of a cello in a rock band, especially because
Calvin has it strapped to his body like a guitar and plays it standing up.
After my initial happy shock, their music bounces around happily in my brain. I started following them and about a week goes by before discovering they’re going on tour with the Bears. Cue giddy excitement on my part, for getting to check out two prodigious young bands for the price of one. After a small break in which I welcome the fresh air outside, they’re ready to start their set.
I am immediately hooked! Good thing I have on my dancing shoes, because I instantly and intuitively start l moving my body and displaying my awkward moves. Much like Bears in Trees, The Happy Fits give their all on stage, pour every bit of their pure spirit into their instruments & vocals and spread it out over their captivated audience.
Sometime during al that cheerful movement, I spot two of the Bears who were enjoying the show along with the audience they just riled up for their tour mates. I rush over to gush about how brilliant their set was and ask for the band-selfie with my alter ego Polexia.
The Happy Fits are rocking us so hard, I don’t want to miss a minute and in my haste I lose all ability of taking selfies. Thankfully, they discover the elevated vantage point at the back of the hall from where I’ve been enjoying the music and jump up beside me. I annoy them once again for a second attempt after the regrettably and extremely hazy first picture. (Informing them it is an integral part of this blog.) I miserably fail again as evidenced above.
My dancing neighbour Sanne sees me struggling and comes to the rescue as she snaps the above lovely picture of us.
Meanwhile I am still digging the waves of delicious music and lively spirit radiating into the room courtesy of The Happy Fits. Note their joyous smiles in these fun snapshots, again thanks to Chazz Adnit who gratiously allowed me to use his full action pictures instead of my blurry smartphone snaps. 💜 It is extremely enjoyable to watch how much they are having a blast playing live.
After the show I regained my composure and managed a non-blurry selfie with my personal photographer Sanne, who incidentally also gave me a happily dancing cameo in the below footage of The Happy Fits.
Turns out she is celebrating her sister’s birthday and came to this show almost by accident, looking for a fun night out and at the last minute ending up at Trix. It appeared to be the right decision on their part because they seemed to be amusing themselves immensely during the two sets.
In conclusion, I will be following both bands very closely moving forward and definitely eagerly await their next live performances! I suggest you do the same.
Bears in Trees + The Happy Fits, may 10th 2024, Trix antwerpen
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