It has been quite a year for California natives Cayucas. After getting signed to Secretly Canadian in the latter part of 2012, they have emerged on the scene with a sweet, surfy sound that is ultimately addicting. The indie popsters are culminating their hype with a major tour opening for Young the Giant. As icing on the cake, they played a sold out show at the Hollywood Palladium Friday night.

Looking across the vast sea of bodies on the main floor, frontman Zach Yudin asserts at the start of the show, that it is only their third night on tour, but they are ready to roll. Playing into their namesake, a small beach town in San Luis Obispo County, they treat the packed house to a gentle set that serves as the perfect warm-up for the cold night. By Instantly breaking into perhaps their most notable tunes, “Cayucos” and “East Coast Girl,” they enliven the eager audience and ignite a boppy sway throughout the room. Cayucas keep it fun and light with the less familiar “Dancing at the Blue Lagoon” and the hilarious tribute to Nor Cal jargon “Hella.” Not missing a beat, they flawlessly close their set with the ever danceable “High School Lover” and sugary single “Swimsuit.” They undoubtedly have a lot to offer this year as they cross America with Orange County’s indie gem Young the Giant.

Anyone who has ever attended a KISS concert would appreciate YtG’s introduction. Amidst a dark stage, a deep-voiced announcement presents them as “the best band in the land!” Living up to every ounce of anticipation, the Irvine locals excite the crowd even further tearing into two new songs “Anagram” and “It’s About Time.” Fans jump, scream and sing along to the face-paced numbers. Highlighting most of their new sophomore album Mind Over Matter throughout the night, they still find space to squeeze in bits of their first album with the ever-mellow, yet endearing “Apartment” and “Cough Syrup.”

Perhaps the best part about watching them is experiencing their heated intensity. YtG passionately present a seamless performance. They constantly bounce across the stage. Without missing a beat, they exhibit the same energy from the first song to the final stages of the encore. Singer Sameer Gadhia’s unassuming voice is the perfect androgynous complement to delightful melodies paired with danceable beats. This culminates in their final shredding encore song, “My Body.”

All in all, these alternative rockers would bring a smile to any concertgoer’s face and their music is truly a treat for the diehard fans who waited in a line wrapping the Palladium for hours earlier in the day. The crowd consensus affirms that it was absolutely worth the wait. Though many of their shows are sold out, it would be worthwhile to seek out the next opportunity to witness the self-proclaimed “best band in the land.” Catch more info about future Young the Giant and Cayucas tour dates here.

Set Lists

Cayucas
Cayucos
East Coast Girl
Dancing at the Blue Lagoon
Hella
Bigfoot
High School Lover
Swimsuit

Young the Giant
Anagram
It’s About Time
Apartment
Strings
Eros
Daydreamer
Cough Syrup
Guns Out
Waves
Teachers
Firelight
I Got
12 Fingers
Crystalized
Paralysis
Camera
My Body