Words By: Bre Offenberger

Alternative band Charming Liars are continuing their Live Sounds of 2020 video series with their latest release, “Favorite Show.” It’s the fifth installment of the series, which was filmed in Los Angeles in a warehouse at the dead end of 2020, and it’s a dreamy reminiscence on how we used to feel going to concerts pre-pandemic: alive.

If possible, the live version is better than the original. The video opens with guitars and synths swirling all around as the camera pans down to the bandmates huddled in a cube, its edges lit up but the rest of the stage remaining pitch black. Vibrant lights flash as frontman Kiliyan Maguire, with his slicked-back hair and leather jacket, grabs the mic. Maguire ejects tender but firm vocals, letting his partner know they’re the only person he will ever want to watch. A perfectly executed laceration of guitar strings make way while drums pound Maguire‘s words into stone.

Different angles all shine with purple at once as different members of the band literally spin upside down, thanks to gorgeous camerawork. Once the second round of chorus is underway, though, they return right side up before going back to their old ways, spinning endlessly alongside even heavier colors. Every time Maguire opens his mouth, his vocals are crisp and mesmerizing. The video ends with a prolonged solo, reminiscent of how bands typically end live tracks. Even after a year of no in-person shows, the bandmates have proven they haven’t missed a beat, head-banging and putting their all into every second of the performance.

Of the latest installment, the band shares: “‘Favorite Show’ is drenched in dark moods and we decided the live video should reflect that. We hope that someday soon we can bring that vibe directly to the stage.”

The band formed when guitarist Karnig Manoukian and bassist Mike Kruger were just teenagers, blending the vastly different music genres they grew up on to create a distinctive project we all know today as Charming Liars. They started writing and touring, it wasn’t long before they met John Feldmann — who has worked with the likes of Panic! At The Disco, Plain White T’s, 5 Seconds of Summer and Blink-182 — and told them to hit him up if they’re ever in the same place along the way. Maguire joined in the mix via a mutual friend while he was attending The Musicians Institute. They released their debut album, Thought, Flesh and Bone, in 2019, followed by an acoustic EP and a live collection. They’ve toured with The Faim, Angels & Airwaves and Palaye Royale. Even after the Live Sounds of 2020 comes to a close, fans can expect to be blessed with a forthcoming EP. Lovers of any genre will want to keep their eyes peeled for Charming Liars‘ new EP and what’s beyond.