Backstage Camera Roll: FIDLAR

The West Coast punks document their recent tour through Florida before heading out to the UK next month.
Backstage Camera Roll

Backstage Camera Roll: FIDLAR

The West Coast punks document their recent tour through Florida before heading out to the UK next month.

Words: Mike LeSuer

Photo: Dave Decker

October 09, 2023

Brandon’s telling everyone what time it is. It’s probably, like, 9:30. / photo by Dave Decker

It’s been over a decade now since FIDLAR officially, loudly, and militantly proclaimed their beer preferences, setting off both poppier and punkier paths for West Coast garage rock to take over the course of the next decade as Ty Segall and (née Thee) Oh Sees began regurgitating the sounds of their vintage record collections. Yet as last year’s That’s Life EP—and even this year’s acoustic best-of EP unplug—demonstrated, the group still has plenty of gas in the tank, both in terms of creativity and raw energy.

Perhaps this fact is most evident in their live show which, after a set of dates in Vegas and Phoenix next month, will see them flying off to the UK for a mini-tour before regrouping back in North America to join Oliver Tree on a more ambitious trek at the top of next year. Most recently, though, the band conquered Florida in another small set of dates specific to that state with sets played in six of its biggest cities. And while a brief photo set does little to harness the manic stage presence the band has come to be known for, the behind-the-scenes visual tour journal the band is sharing with us does provide a unique glimpse into the light chaos (featuring animals both feral and inflatable, as well as some fun-size brews) that expectedly surrounds the band off-stage.

You can find all of FIDLAR’s upcoming dates here, and you can relive some highlights from their most recent dates below. (All photos are by the band unless otherwise noted.)

After a missed connection, Brandon gets some much needed rest. 

After a missed connection, Brandon gets some much needed rest. 

Brandon is the inflatable master. The flamingo was born through his love.

Brandon is the inflatable master. The flamingo was born through his love.

Erik and Max drinking the tiniest beers known to man.

Erik and Max drinking the tiniest beers known to man.

Erik jamming at his first FIDLAR show / photo by Dave Decker

Erik jamming at his first FIDLAR show. / photo by Dave Decker

Max signing some flamingos for fans. You never know what you’ll bring home at a FIDLAR show. / photo by Dave Decker

Max signing some flamingos for fans. You never know what you’ll bring home at a FIDLAR show. / photo by Dave Decker

Brandon with our new friend Craig. You never know who you’ll meet at a FIDLAR show.

Brandon with our new friend Craig. You never know who you’ll meet at a FIDLAR show.

We finally made it to Dinosaur World. Who knew it would take this long?

We finally made it to Dinosaur World. Who knew it would take this long?

Zac loves to bark at the crowd. / photo by @stupid.stoked for @showsigoto

Zac loves to bark at the crowd. / photo by @stupid.stoked for @showsigoto

Gainesville going off! We love the High Dive. / photo by @stupid.stoked for @showsigoto

Gainesville going off! We love the High Dive. / photo by @stupid.stoked for @showsigoto

Brandon’s telling everyone what time it is. It’s probably, like, 9:30. / photo by Dave Decker

Brandon’s telling everyone what time it is. It’s probably, like, 9:30. / photo by Dave Decker