Bluphoria Shares Self-Titled Debut at The End Nashville

April 30th marked my first time walking into The End in West Nashville. But I’m sure it won’t be my last.

Maybe it was the Jagger-esque bartender, the youthful buzz of the crowd or the uninhibited way the bands wailed every song, but the environment felt almost fictional. Like I was an extra in an early ‘00s romcom. I half expected Heath Ledger to strut from backstage and serenade the girl in the front row. Turns out that’s where I thrive.

In my experience, Nashville’s rising music indie and rock scenes embody the youthfulness that more established artists strive to maintain. That night at The End, was a celebration of that youth, evidenced by an energy that you don’t often find in arenas and stadiums.

Theses bands and their fans perform and consume with a fresh earnestness that long-standing careers often dull for better or worse. Being in the room with these bands just makes you feel young. Maybe that’s just because they’re in their late teens and early twenties while I’m pushing 30… but we won’t talk about that.

After enthusiastic performances from Bad Culture and YEARB4 (yes, somehow I ended up seeing them twice in one week, but I’m not mad about it.), Bluphoria took the small stage and owned it. With their debut album releasing just five days after the show, Bluphoria showcased their talent and anticipation of the release with an engaging tease of the project.

Even with three bands playing that night, we were out of there and in bed by 11 p.m. (my kind of night!). But a short set didn’t stop the Bluphoria team from showing us their good side. Originally from the Los Angeles area, the band relocated to Nashville and signed with UMG and quickly made a name for itself in the local scene.

With heavy blues influences and funky beats, their brand of rock is easy to listen to, but you’ll find something new to admire in every play. And frontman Reign LaFreniere carries himself with the confidence of a performer who knows this is just the beginning. His rasp and grit comes through in a live setting just as well as in a studio recording.

If you’re interested in the trajectory of today’s alt rock, keep your eye on Bluphoria. They’re striking a chord with the demographic of music lovers that are finally being allowed in the bar. And they’re not leaving anytime soon. I’m eagerly looking forward to where they go from here.

Stream their self-titled debut album “Bluphoria” and let me know your favorite tracks. I’m partial to “Set Me Up,” “Let Me Go” and “Columbia.” I’m a sucker for some angst and a well timed shriek.