REVIEW: The Beths with Phoebe Rings: Live at Variety Playhouse - ATL

Mikey Smith
Nov 2
2 min read

Power-pop with a packed crowd create a perfect Halloween performance

The Beths playing a Halloween show in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Hailing from New Zealand, The Beths celebrated spooky season in style at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. Touring their newest project, Straight Line Was a Lie, the indie rock band gave fans old and young an electric Halloween performance.

Lead vocalist of Phoebe Rings, Crystal Choi (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Opening act and fellow New Zealand group Phoebe Rings played a set both poppy and jazzy. Decked out in cat attire, the band members curated a setlist that anyone could groove to. Lead vocalist Crystal Choi sang in both English and Korean, performing music from their 2025 record, Aseurai and their self-titled 2024 EP.

This leg of the tour marks the first time Phoebe Rings have performed in the states. Through their charming style and relatable energy, the city-pop inspired group is already on track to become a top favorite among listeners. Without a doubt, ATL fans will definitely be back to catch their set when they return.

New Zealand dream pop group Phoebe Rings at Variety Playhouse (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Benjamin Sinclair of The Beths (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Donning Jurassic Park themed outfits for the occasion, The Beths started their show with the energetic title track of their latest album. The band prioritized turning the night into a fun experience for those in attendance. With back-to-back hits from their discography, the indie-rockers showed off their unique power-pop sensibilities for fans to awe at. The Beths’ signature harmonies and danceable melodies proved to be successful on this stop of the tour.

The Beths playing ATL's Variety Playhouse (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Although the night was full of catchy head-boppers and inflatable dino costumes, the band was never afraid to change the mood. A particular highlight of the night was the solo performance of “Mother, Pray for Me” by lead singer and guitarist Elizabeth Stokes. Although she prefaced that the song might be thematically inappropriate to play dressed as Jeff Goldblum, Stokes captured the crowd’s heart with this live interpretation.

Elizabeth Stokes of The Beths (Photo by Mikey Smith)

As expected, the Atlanta audience understood the assignment and dressed up for the holiday. Even with a mix of silly and serious, costumes of the night managed to be memorable and creative. For doubters who thought the Halloween spirit might be lost, the bands and the fans assured that this was a celebration for the ages.

Within the nostalgic songwriting and sounds, The Beths and Phoebe Rings go hand in hand to create a perfect vibe for any moment. Whether you’re happy or sad, if you want to jump or lose yourself in a dreamscape, both groups place themselves among the legends that came before them and will serve as influences for those to come.

Thank you to The Beths, Phoebe Rings, their teams, Zero Mile, and Variety Playhouse for making this night one to remember! Please enjoy a gallery of highlights from the event below.