The Beaches: Charting the Rise of Rock’s New Icons

On a humid August evening, the Budweiser Stage in Toronto pulsed with an electric energy typically reserved for blockbuster concerts or cultural phenomena. Fans packed shoulder to shoulder by the barricades radiated devotion—similar to the passion one might expect from die-hard Swifties or dedicated followers of a cult. Yet this wasn’t a global pop powerhouse commanding the frenzy; it was the Beaches, a four-piece all-woman rock band, thrilling a hometown crowd.
Amid discarded cans and empty wine goblets shaped like guitars, the atmosphere was undeniably joyous. Mothers and their teenage daughters belted out lyrics about heartbreak and anxiety, couples swayed to soulful ballads, and the audience collectively buoyed a crowdsurfer as if caught in a celebratory embrace.
Despite the buzz, the show wasn’t an over-the-top production. The band relied on simple yet effective stagecraft: moody marquee lights spelling out their name, a playful beach ball tossed into the crowd, and a theatrical opening inspired by kabuki. The latter saw a black curtain drop dramatically, only for lead singer Jordan Miller to leap over it in a perfectly timed flourish.
The Beaches’ real magic, however, lies in their unfiltered authenticity. Their music, a vibrant blend of new wave and rock with the tangy appeal of Sour Patch Kids candy, pairs seamlessly with their confident charisma—something their growing TikTok audience of 260,000 admires. This raw relatability set the stage for the band’s breakthrough moment.
The Turning Point
Twenty months ago, the Beaches experienced a career-defining shift, and at the heart of it was lead singer Jordan Miller’s breakup with Brett Emmons, frontman of the Glorious Sons. The catalyst? “Blame Brett,” a sharp and catchy single born from their split.
The track was more than a post-breakup anthem; it was a cultural lightning rod. Its witty lyricism—touching on heartbreak, personal flaws, and even the Toronto Raptors—made it irresistibly relatable. Before the song’s official release, the Beaches teased a clip of Miller recording “Blame Brett” in the studio on TikTok. Something about the unfiltered performance and the universality of its message struck a chord. The video exploded, racking up 3.4 million plays, while the track itself has been streamed over 80 million times on Spotify to date.
Responses