HEARTWATCH (fka The Tropics) Headline Their Coming Out Party at Rickshaw Stop

Words by: Chris Ryan Mannix // Photos by: Kristina Bakrevski

The Tropics claimed the headlining act at the Rickshaw Stop Thursday evening. This was a big night for The Tropics’, showcasing songs off the highly anticipated EP due later this year. It was also their last club performance before diving into 2015’s festival season.

As we watched The Tropics fan out across the stage to square up with their overwhelming welcome committee, San Francisco was eager for their hometown heroes to light up the stage and burn off the gloomy fog that has dampened the city’s energy level this past week.

Claire George leapt onto the stage with indigo blue pants that rocked ruffles at the waist and were riddled with red-puckered lips. But this was not the loudest statement of the night. After commanding the dance through their first two songs, “The New King of California” and “Bored At Best” the SF five piece dropped a bomb, announcing a name change and blowing minds. The artists formerly known as The Tropics are entering this summer’s festival circuit as HEARTWATCH.

HEARTWATCH, as the Tropics, opened for The Cathedrals during the Noise Pop wave this past February at The Independent, stealing much attention and giving their home town a brief preview of what they were to let loose.

After dropping the big news, with the house visibly shocked and throwing around various side-mouthed opinions of the rebranding, HEARTWATCH returned to the music with “Faultline.” It was evident that the mob at the Rickshaw was caught well off guard, dancing on near autopilot through the next couple songs. But by the time they brought us to the fan-favorite, “Sons & Daughters,” Claire and HEARTWATCH had successfully proven that they were still the same beloved band, blasting warm beach vibes that never let you stand still. And for the rest of the show, Heartwatch kept the Rickshaw Stop dancing freely.