BADBADNOTGOOD 5/3

ROADRUNNERBOSTON

May 3

— May 3, 2025 —

As part of their Mid Spiral Tour, Canadian genre-blurring BADBADNOTGOOD brought their hypnotic live show to Roadrunner in Boston on May 3. Hailing from Toronto, the group—known for fusing jazz, soul, hip-hop, and experimental soundscapes—performed to a packed venue of fans eager to witness their latest evolution. The night featured a special appearance by Baby Rose, whose distinct, velvety vocals provided a powerful emotional layer to the performance mid-show. Her presence added depth and contrast to the trio’s instrumentals, serving as a soulful centerpiece during key moments of the set.

BADBADNOTGOOD’s set unfolded like a film in motion—fittingly so, as a real 16mm projection played behind them throughout the night, bathing the stage in flickering, analog textures. A technician stationed near the back of the venue manually loaded reels of film, reinforcing the handcrafted feel of the entire production. The visuals were not just ambiance—they were integrated into the flow of the music, evolving with each track in a way that felt intuitive and immersive. The band’s setlist pulled from across their catalog, blending fan favorites with extended improvisational passages, all delivered with their signature mix of tight musicianship and spontaneous energy.

When Baby Rose joined BADBADNOTGOOD on stage, she brought a new emotional weight to the set, especially on collaborative tracks like “Caroline” and “Slow Burn.” The chemistry between her and the band felt intuitive, each performance unfolding with quiet precision and depth. Their songs together formed some of the night’s most intimate moments, but it was BADBADNOTGOOD’s performance of “Confessions” that left one of the strongest impressions—a slow-burning standout marked by its brooding tension and a saxophone riff that felt like a film score unraveling in real time. Together, these moments captured the heart of the Mid Spiral Tour: emotionally charged, sonically rich, and unforgettable.

Listen to BADBADNOTGOOD here: