Seraphina Lotkhamnga on March 31st, 2014

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It was loud and rowdy at the El Rey Theatre on Friday when Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks took the stage in support of their latest album “Wig Out At Jagbags.” Despite two earthquakes during Speedy Ortiz‘s opening set, the noise prevailed and any noticeable vibrations were traveling from the venue’s subwoofers. (Although if you looked up, you might have been curious as to why the chandeliers were swaying.) The crowd, populated both by new teenage fans and those well into their 40s (the latter possibly toting along their kids), were too busy focusing on what Malkmus would spew out of his mouth next. Close attention was rewarded when Malkmus yelled out to to the crowd, “Spiral Stairs! Are you out there? We need you.” Soon enough Scott Kannberg (formerly of Pavement) jumped on stage to perform “Stereo” with the band. The encore also included covers of Roxy Music’s “Mother of Pearl” and Steve Miller Band’s “Swing Town,” but the Pavement cover with Spiral Stairs was without a doubt the highlight of the night.

Photos by David Benjamin