On March 30th, I went to The Independent in San Francisco to see Telescreens opening for Porch Light and Quarters and, honestly, they felt like the headliners. It’s been a while since I’ve seen an opener take over a room like that. Their set had a nonstop, reckless, magnetic energy that sparked mosh pits and got the crowd singing along naturally.
Formed in New York City, Telescreens blends modern alternative rock with flashes of classic rock and early 2000s indie grit. Their sound reminds me a bit of Fontaines D.C., but with more synth undertones. By the second song, the lead singer was in the crowd, thrashing through the pit like just another fan, which set the tone for the rest of their set.
People were moving, shouting, and singing along, even those who clearly didn’t walk in knowing the lyrics. During their track “Phone Booth,” that connection peaked when fans joined in on the outro chant (“Said all I want is a friend and all I want is a way down”). It was one of those live music moments that makes you want to thank everyone around you for bringing that kind of energy and for representing San Francisco so well.
After Telescreens, Porch Light followed with a phenomenal set led by their incredible vocalist, Jackie Uhas, backed by a crowd of fans dancing along to their basement-style indie rock. They played a couple of unreleased songs and closed with their most popular track, “Oxygen,” which has amassed over 12 million streams on Spotify. The shimmering guitar in the chorus pairs perfectly with Uhas’ airy vocals.
Quarters, formerly known as Quarters of Change, closed the night by leaning into the cinematic, introspective sound of their new album I HOPE THIS ISN’T THE END OF THE WORLD. “PERFECT WORLD,” one of my personal favorites from the project, was incredible to hear live and they sounded nearly identical to the recordings. Even after two openers, the crowd was still locked in. Although their set felt a bit short at just 13 songs for a headliner (and there were definitely a few tracks I wish made the cut), it was exciting to hear songs like “KIWI” and “Blue Copper,” which first got me into their music. Their vocal effects and layered production translated beautifully onstage, infusing their indie pop-rock sound with their distinct energy.
It was also rewarding to see them step into a headlining role after catching them open for The Wrecks last summer. This time, they had the space to fully own the stage and explore a broader range of their catalog.
It was my first time at The Independent, and it couldn’t have been a better introduction. The show was sold out, yet there was still enough space to move, jump, and scream lyrics back. Nights like that remind you how good live music feels when every artist on the lineup truly shows up and gives it their all.
Review and photos by Izzy Hory
