Slow Pulp delivers a Sunday sellout at recordBar

September 17, 2025

Alex Agueros,

Slow Pulp. // photo by Alex Agueros

What’s it take to sell out a show these days?

Following a rematch of the most recent Super Bowl earlier that day and navigating a generally difficult live entertainment economy, alternative rock band Slow Pulp used their formula of indie melodies, a heavy doses of fuzz and reverb, and a touch of yee-haw to pull off a Sunday sellout at recordBar on September 14.

Reaching capacity at the 400-plus venue in August, lead vocalist for the Chicago-based, Wisconsin-rooted band, Emily Massey, bestowed upon Kansas City two awards during the show: “Best Sunday Night Crowd,” and “Best Singing Voices of Any Place We Have Played.”

KC’s praiseworthy singing voices and an especially heavy outro on “Falling Apart,” sparked a run of maxed-out energy deep into the setlist. “High” garnered further anthem-like participation, but that enthusiasm paled in comparison to Massey’s next announcement: “This next one is called ‘Broadview.’” Perhaps the only comparable reaction was when Massey performed the harmonica solo between verses of the twangy standout on 2023’s Yard. She ended the song’s performance with arms wide, as if she were presenting the main course of the night.

Slow Pulp’s sound glowed softly in the first hour. “Do You Feel It,” hummed with excitement ahead of cuts from their 2020 full-length debut, Moveys. “Idaho” gently rocked the audience toward its shimmering, cathartic chorus: “I’m moving on.” Even as the uptempo “At It Again” ripped with fuzzed-out energy, it maintained a warm, surfy tone occupied by the likes of Soccer Mommy, Jay Som, and Alvvays.

Slow Pulp. // photo by Alex Agueros

So, what did it take to sell out the show? Direct support was unfortunately a non-factor, as Dan English–who released an excellent album in June – dropped out of the lineup weeks ahead of the Kansas City date. And despite suspiciously similar phonetics, Slow Pulp claimed to be unfamiliar with electronic opener DJ Slope Hope, who toured guests through a garage-influenced electronic set disguised in mirrored shades, a cowboy hat, and a Western pearl button dress shirt.

“Thank you to that DJ guy,” Massey said. “I didn’t know his name. If you figure it out, let me know. He rocked.”

Slow Pulp earned a relatively swift ascension to alt-rock success, releasing their first EP in 2015, introducing Massey as vocalist in 2017, and producing two memorable LPs ahead of touring with the likes of Death Cab For Cutie and The Pixies. Despite the band’s strength, accessibility, and the modest size of the bar venue, I couldn’t help but think they overcame difficult odds.

Sunday’s gig represented the third sellout on their 15-date tour, with venues local and beyond filling fewer shows at capacity in an economy in which the upper crust makes up the majority of retail spending. Those in attendance did not appear far removed from college and, given the timing of Slow Pulp’s breakout, perhaps attended classes virtually as COVID transformed the live music landscape.

More than worthy of their Sunday sellout, I came away from one of my favorite local venues wishing such engaging and invigorating live music experiences from bands as earnest as Slow Pulp were not so few and far between.

All photos by Alex Agueros

Slow Pulp setlist
Do You Feel It
Idaho
At It Again
Cramps
Worm
Slugs
Track
New Media
Steel Birds
Falling Apart
New Horse
Trade It
High
Broadview
Mud
—
Yard
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