Whitney keep it cool and cozy at Levitate Backyard

Nathan Smith

There’s something inherently magical about a weeknight show that feels like anything but. At Levitate Backyard, a coastal Massachusetts venue that truly lives up to its name, Tuesday night’s concert with Whitney and Folk Bitch Trio felt less like a ticketed event and more like a backyard hang that just happened to include one of indie’s most beloved groups playing a full set under the stars.

Levitate’s whole thing is “vibes,” and Tuesday delivered in full. The weather was mild, the food lines were short, and the sunset painted the sky soft shades of pink as Folk Bitch Trio took the stage.

Folk Bitch Trio set the tone with soft harmony

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Folk Bitch Trio made their Massachusetts debut in minimalist fashion. Three voices, gentle acoustic guitar, and just enough dry humor to balance out the quiet. The set never broke into full-on foot-stomping territory, but that’s not what this night called for. It was the kind of opening act that lets people ease into their drinks, into the lawn, and into the moment.

Fresh off the release of their debut album Now Would Be a Good Time, the trio charmed a growing crowd with haunting harmonies and delightfully deadpan banter. “We still haven’t seen a raccoon,” one member said, wide-eyed. “Are they really around garbage bins? Or is that just in movies?” Raccoon sightings aside, they walked away with something arguably harder to achieve at this venue: a tight-knit crowd gathered by the stage for the opener. That just doesn’t happen often here.

Whitney preview “Small Talk” with a packed weeknight crowd

By the time Whitney took the stage around 9 p.m., the field was full and buzzing. For a Tuesday night in Marshfield – an hour south of Boston – this felt like a crowd that had made a point to show up. And the band seemed to feel that, too.

Leaning into their signature blend of soul-soaked indie rock, Whitney cycled through a well-paced set featuring fan favorites and a hearty helping of unreleased material. Much of the new work is expected to land on Small Talk, the group’s upcoming album due this fall. Judging by the reception, fans are more than ready.

What’s always set Whitney apart is the way they make intimacy feel easy. Even with a full band, they carry a softness that reads like a secret being passed around the room. That vibe carried through the set, amplified by frontman Julien Ehrlich’s easy rapport from behind the kit. At one point, he tried (with absolutely zero success) to convince a few front-row fans to take the mic for a verse. “C’mon,” he joked. “You know this one better than me.”

They didn’t, but it didn’t matter.