Lights are changing, but The Bevis Frond still shine bright. Last Sunday’s Lexington shindig felt like a blissfully bleary blast from the past—picture a sunny Sunday soundtrack spun by Anton Barbeau’s baby-amp bravado, followed by The Bevis Frond’s psychedelic parade. It was the second of a two-night stand at the Lexington, and while Saturday delivered the goods, Sunday brought its own subtle twists—familiar, yet freshly improvised in all the right places.
Anton Barbeau kicked things off in classic one-man-army fashion, armed with a single electric guitar and a teeny-tiny amp that looked like it might apologise before ever raising its voice. But no—Anton cranked out a kaleidoscopic wall of sound that could’ve shamed a stadium rig.
His set was equal parts solo serenade and surreal stand-up: between cosmic chords and catchy choruses, he riffed on the eternal battle of coffee vs. milk (spoiler: coffee wins, every time), turning “Milk” into a full-fat moo-riff masterpiece. “Coffee,” on the other hand, practically jittered with caffeine jitters.
And just when the crowd thought it had the measure of his charming weirdness, Anton invited his wife onstage for the final two tracks. Their duet was a lovely dose of homespun harmony and heartfelt humour—like watching the inside of a shared joke set to music.
As the sun dipped and the room filled, Nick Saloman and his fellow Fronds took to the stage—and instead of diving straight into a song, they wandered into an improvised jam that felt like a séance with the spirit of Syd Barrett. Loose, loud, and deliciously unpredictable, it was a fuzzy freefall that eventually segued into the chugging menace of “Coming Round.” Unlike the night before, “Hole Song #2 and Flood Warning” didn’t feature—but no one was checking boxes. This wasn’t about repetition, it was about revelation.
The band’s chemistry was telepathic, especially in the twin-guitar back-and-forth between Saloman and Paul Simmons. One would launch into a soaring, spiralling solo, the other would respond with something equally blistering—like two stoned wizards duelling with delay pedals. Simmons, eyes closed and locked in, handled his fretwork like sacred origami: fragile, complex, and weirdly beautiful.
Midway through, Nick shared a little nugget of local trivia. Turns out New River Head, both the track and the 1991 album, was named after a spot just five minutes from the venue. A fan reminded him of that the night before, and in typical Saloman fashion, he delivered the story with a grin and zero ceremony—before launching into the song itself. Cue smiles, cheers, and a sense of place clicking satisfyingly into song.
From the thunderous groove of “Stoned Train Driver” to the soft shimmer of “Maybe,” the set was a scenic journey through the Frond’s fuzz-drenched landscape. “Lights Are Changing” lit up the room in more ways than one, and when “Superseded” made its way into the mix, it was a reminder of just how much emotional punch this band can pack beneath all that glorious distortion.
By the time the encore rolled around—“Stars Burn Out” bleeding into “Eyes In The Back Of My Head”—the Lexington was a hotbox of happy heads, swaying limbs, and fuzzy grins. They closed, finally, with the powerhouse punch of “Magic Potion”, sealing the night with a last jolt of joy.
All in all, it was a top-shelf trip: a perfectly pitched pairing of Barbeau’s bedroom-cosmos charm and The Bevis Frond’s far-out fretboard firepower. Whether you were there for the nostalgia, the noise, or just to soak up the Sunday sunshine, it was one of those gigs that lingers—like reverb in the gut. If you ever find yourself within spitting distance of the Lexington—or better yet, within shouting distance of New River Head—do yourself a favour and dive in. You’ll come out a little dazed, definitely dazzled, and entirely delighted.
Setlist:
Anton Barbeau Guru 7 Just Passing By Crucification Dogstar Pmom Gentle Coffee Milk
The Bevis Frond (Improvised Jam) Coming Round Maybe Mr. Fred's Disco Stoned Train Driver Lights Are Changing Pale Blue Blood Undertaker Superseded Heat Big Black Sky He'd Be A Diamond New River Head Stain On The Sun Olde Worlde
Stars Burn Out Eyes In The Back Of My Head Magic Potion
