The Buttertones 10 Year Anniversary show in Berkeley, CA

August 8, 2024 - The Buttertones played a nearly sold out show at the Cornerstone in Berkeley, CA, where they performed their entire self-titled album for the first time to celebrate their ten year anniversary. The venue was packed to the brim with eager fans before their memorable performance.

As soon as the crew taped the setlist to the floor, fans rushed to catch a glimpse. You could feel their excitement as they eagerly discussed the songs on the setlist, surprised by the appearance of some songs. The anticipation in the room prevailed, as the lights dimmed and a slow instrumental track began to play.

From the moment the lead singer - Richard Araiza - stepped onto the stage, the energy in the room was electric. He immediately connected with the crowd, even grabbing a fan’s hand who promptly freaked out over the moment they had with Azaira. This was a perfect encapsulation of the excitement that gripped the audience, which was seen again many times throughout the show. Azaira and the band’s saxophonist frequently leaned into the crowd, feeding off of fans’ energy as they performed directly to their fans.

The band played a lot of upbeat tracks that had the crowd moshing within minutes to their fast-paced riffs. People also had a chance to catch their breath with more mellow, jazzy tunes that showcased the versatility of their discography. During these more mellow moments, the crowd seemed to take a collective breath, swaying to the smoother rhythms before diving back into a collective mosh as the tempo picked up again.

The Buttertones’ blend of surf rock, jazzy saxophone melodies, driving guitar lines, and their infectious stage presence made for a very dynamic and engaging show. The Buttertones know how to put on a show, and last night was no exception.

Check out the full show gallery here.