Written and Photos by Chloe Diehl
During the ACL Afterparty concerts, Parcels played a nearly sold-out show at Stubb’s B-B-Q during their USA and Europe tour for their newest album, “LOVED”. To put it mildly, this was the best concert I have ever seen. Huge credit goes to Stubb's and ACL for creating the perfect event to experience such a special performance.
Parcels is a must-see band live. With no production elements or added features on stage, each member's musicality is so magical that the audience is locked in a funkadelic hypnosis.
Opening for Parcels was Velvet Trip, an Australian psychedelic rock group that set an incredible tone for the evening. The group was trippy and ethereal. The lead singer’s voice offered a sweet contrast to the heavy synthesizers and distorted guitars.
The song that I loved the most was “The Bends.” This song had more of a groove reminiscent of Parcels’ “Hideout,” with a clean disco bass line and clean chord progressions played in the upper frets. The perfect start before Parcels’ concert.
This performance marked the final day Velvet Trip joined Parcels on their USA and Europe tour, making it an emotional show. To celebrate their final opening act for Parcels, Velvet Trip joined them on stage for the final song of their main set, “Finallyover”, creating an unforgettable resolution to the night.
When Parcels took the stage, the entire energy shifted into something truly extraordinary. From the moment they stepped out, the crowd was instantly swept up by their electric power with the opening songs, “Tobeloved” and a shorter version of “Ifyoucall.” They came out in relaxed clothing, letting their musical ability take center stage without fancy production gimmicks.
With no stopping points between songs, the set felt like one continuous musical journey. Every track bled seamlessly into the next, with incredibly crisp, clean transitions. They effortlessly blended disco, synth-pop, and rock into a uniquely captivating soundscape. They kept the high energy of “Gamesofluck” into “Sorry” by making the instrumentals more club-like and dancey.
A standout moment of the night was their mesmerizing cover of "Nightcall" by Kavinsky, reworked with their signature style. This song is tough to cover because of its many moving parts and synthesizers. Yet Parcels mastered every detail, which only deepened my respect for their musicianship.
Parcels has been the most defining band of my college years. Before matriculating at Rice, I was a total mess. I was nervous about the demands of my classes, keeping up with other bright students, what my social life would be like, and other hedonistic worries.
The night before I moved into my dorm, I was lying in bed at home, soaking in the fact that tomorrow would start a pivotal chapter. My Spotify recommended the song “IknowhowIfeel.” The song has a simple and repetitive verse. The bass was sweet and groovy. The guitar riff was crisp. The keys were airy. It was fresh, and I suddenly relaxed as I dissected each instrument.
Suddenly, the keys built to a crescendo and led into an uplifting chorus with the lyrics, “But, oh, there’s a place I need to go, over the end of every road, where I can feel it on my own.” The perfect message for someone about to embark on a new adventure.
From that moment, I became obsessed with the band. They rocked a cool European look while still embracing their Australian roots. I changed up my wardrobe, trying to match the confidence and funky aesthetic of the band members (which is a hard thing to do in Houston, TX).
The band shaped me into the person I am today, sparking my deep dive into the inner workings of the music industry. Beyond just playing their songs on repeat, I found myself studying their independent roots, their approach to live performances, and how they climbed to fame. That initial spark inspired me to explore music marketing and artist management, turning a simple love for their sound into a lifelong passion for the craft
and business behind it.
While I hold this group close to my heart, I want you to know my feelings shouldn’t make you dismiss this band. It's amazing to see how they have built such a massive listenership among fans who are in awe of their musical talent. Parcels, thank you for an unforgettable night and for delivering a performance that truly lived up to everything your music has meant to me over the years.
