Slide Away Festival 2025: Whirr with Nothing, Swervedriver, and The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
at Franklin Music Hall 4/27/2025
words: John Mosher | photos: Dave Avidan
In their second annual outing, Domenic Palermo’s Slide Away Festival did not fail. A sold-out Show at Franklin Music Hall, doubling its capacity from last year’s show at Union Transfer. The night kicked off with a dazzling set by The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, their first set of shows since 2018! The audience was treated to a full performance of their 2009 self-titled album. After their memorable brand of jangly shoegaze concluded, the ethereal Swervedriver took the stage.
After an awe inspiring-introduction of swirling guitars, Swervedriver continued their shoegaze legacy by delivering a raucous set that pleased old new fans and hooked in new listeners. The band even kept the show going even under pressure of a few difficulties, such as the cymbals falling from the drums at one point. The room at this time was beginning to fill with excitement and anticipation as Swervedriver wrapped up their set with their prolific song ‘Duel’.
After an awe inspiring-introduction of swirling guitars, Swervedriver continued their shoegaze legacy by delivering a raucous set that pleased old new fans and hooked in new listeners. The band even kept the show going even under pressure of a few difficulties, such as the cymbals falling from the drums at one point. The room at this time was beginning to fill with excitement and anticipation as Swervedriver wrapped up their set with their prolific song ‘Duel’.
Next up came Nothing, playing their home-town show, Domenic Palermo addressed the crowd thanking them for their graciousness and support. The set did not disappoint, the atmosphere in the room was as to be expected for a hometown show. Two songs into their set and the crowd were thrashing their bodies into one another, allowing the music to overtake over their psyche and flow out their bodies. Before the set ended, Domenic made sure to endorse the redemption of Whirr, who had previously faced some setbacks a decade ago. They have just released their first album in six years, “Raw Blue”, in addition to playing their first live shows in a de cade.
The San Francisco based quintet blew the roof off of the Franklin Music Hall as their unique blend of dreamy gaze ushered through the building, bringing tears to some and memories to all. During all four of the sets was a live art piece being formed in-front of people’s eyes, and it wasn’t only the music. In the background was a psychedelic light show being put together live by using oils and film, omitting this galactic aura for all to feel. After the show concluded, fans raced to the barricade to get a chance at meeting the band, who never put a period at the end of their set, never did return. We are all left eager for what’s to come for next year’s edition of Slide Away Festival. Check out the full sets of photos below.
The San Francisco based quintet blew the roof off of the Franklin Music Hall as their unique blend of dreamy gaze ushered through the building, bringing tears to some and memories to all. During all four of the sets was a live art piece being formed in-front of people’s eyes, and it wasn’t only the music. In the background was a psychedelic light show being put together live by using oils and film, omitting this galactic aura for all to feel. After the show concluded, fans raced to the barricade to get a chance at meeting the band, who never put a period at the end of their set, never did return. We are all left eager for what’s to come for next year’s edition of Slide Away Festival. Check out the full sets of photos below.
Whirr
Nothing
Swervedriver
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
