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Peach Pit Bring Surf-Rock Sunshine to Cleveland
- Madison Cozzens
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Surf-rock soul meets goofy charm: Peach Pit lights up Cleveland with friendship, fun, and fan-favorite singalongs.
Article Contributed by Madison Cozzens. Revisions by LJ Portnoy, Editor-in-Chief
Photography by Madison Cozzens.
Categories: Concert Review, Indie Rock, Alternative/Surf Rock, Live Music Coverage
Tags:
A Night of Heavy Riffs, Warm Harmonies, and Sing-Alongs
A cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” headbanging, and soaring guitar solos might sound like a heavy metal show—but that’s where you’d be mistaken. This was Peach Pit’s Fall Quest Tour stop at Cleveland’s House of Blues, where strangers became friends in a packed room celebrating life, love, heartbreak, and everything in between.
Miya Folick’s Dreamlike Opening
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Miya Folick opened the night with a seated, stripped-down set. Her voice—equal parts raw and ethereal—floated across the sold-out venue like a late-night conversation. Between songs, Folick connected with the crowd in a way that felt personal, almost like a living-room show, drawing everyone into her world of self-reflection and lyrical honesty.
War Pigs to Magpie
Peach Pit wasted no time in making their entrance unforgettable. They launched with a tongue-in-cheek cover of “War Pigs” before blending seamlessly into “Magpie,” the title track from their latest album. Frontman Neil Smith stood center stage, flashing peace signs as the crowd roared, setting the tone for a night where the sing-alongs never stopped.
From early favorites like “Alrighty Aphrodite” to fan-beloved cuts like “Shampoo Bottles,” the setlist felt like a greatest-hits reel. They closed with “Tommy’s Party,” leaving the audience swaying, shouting, and already wishing for more.
Friendship on Stage
Peach Pit—Neil Smith (vocals, guitar), Christopher Vanderkooy (lead guitar), Peter Wilton (bass), Mikey Pascuzzi (drums), and longtime touring member Dougal McLean (guitar, synth, violin)—bring a chemistry to the stage that’s hard to fake. McLean may not be an official member, but his presence and instrumental versatility make him feel inseparable from the band’s live identity. Their camaraderie fuels the show, reminding fans that at its core, Peach Pit is about friendship.
Goofy Meets Melancholy
Scroll through Peach Pit’s socials and you’ll find them dressed in medieval costumes in Times Square or hamming it up in eccentric promo shoots. That same silliness carries into their live shows, balancing perfectly against their lyrics, which often lean toward bittersweet and reflective.
The magic happens in the contrast: heartfelt words paired with grooves that demand dancing. Vanderkooy’s guitar solos often steal the spotlight, his body moving with reckless abandon—spinning, stomping, and letting every riff pulse through him. Watching him step to the front of the stage feels like witnessing someone lost in the joy of music, and the crowd can’t help but mirror that energy.
Still Rising
Since their 2018 debut Being So Normal, Peach Pit have been steadily carving their lane in indie surf-rock pop. This year alone, they’ve tackled three tours—The Magpie Tour, The Long Hair Long Life Tour with Briston Maroney, and now the Fall Quest Tour.
Through it all, their mission hasn’t changed: keep the friendship strong, keep the music honest, and keep it fun. Judging by the Cleveland crowd that sang every word, Peach Pit’s story is still only beginning.