REVIEW: Miranda and the Beat Swing Through Troy on Their “Can’t Take It” Tour

Mar 12

03/08 @ El Dorado, Troy

Miranda and the Beat swept through El Dorado in Troy this past Saturday like a mini hurricane; fast, loud, and a heart-pounding sight. Kicking off their 2025 tour with Troy as their second stop, their sound runs the gamut from jangly, garage rock and pure punk, to psychedelic-soul and blues.

Miranda Zipse’s voice pierced El Dorado’s darkened back room, farfisa organ (played by Dylan Fernanez) trilling alongside her like a classic monster movie soundtrack. Alvin Jackson on bass and Mandy Mandel on drums grooved and thundered, more than living up to “the beat” in their namesake. Behind the four-piece, a large sheet with the band’s name served as a backdrop and, rather cinematically, it gradually came down as if the music was so electric, even the walls were quaking. Uptempo songs like “Concrete” and “Manipulate Me” felt like pacing around an old haunted punk house or being trapped inside a magic eight ball someone is violently shaking. Slower, lovesick tracks like “Up In Smoke” leaned into some syrupy, sweet surf rock elements.

If you did a double-take at the flyer for the night, you’re not crazy: both The Abyssmals and Pink Lady were originally set to join Miranda and the Beat, but after some unforeseen circumstances, Flavour swooped in at the last minute to support the bill. While both The Abyssmals and Pink Lady were very much missed, Flavour’s “bubblegum boot rock” complemented the night perfectly. The band added some 1970s swagger and attitude to an already wild and stylish Saturday night. If you haven’t yet seen Flavour–who are local favorites by now–they’re endlessly fun to watch and always put on a super tight performance. Their 2024 single, “Boogie Room Boogie/Dreamside,” is like if Thin Lizzy and King Tuff had a rock and roll baby… what’s not to like?

You can listen to/support both artists on Bandcamp:

Miranda and the Beat (https://mirandaandthebeat.bandcamp.com)

Flavour (https://tastetheflavour.bandcamp.com)