I can’t fathom how the show I’m about to witness is going to surpass soundcheck. But it does. In the middle of a Thursday afternoon, Rockinhaim are reunited to one security guard and a bartender. Rockinhaim are Danielle, Este and Alana Haim plus father Moti on drums and mother Donna on vocals. They’re doing a swinging rendition of “Mustang Sally.” Alana punches the air in jubilation, while some of tonight’s special guests — Watch Haim Tame Lions & Bears in Wild Video for Calvin Harris’ ‘Pray to God’
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Then it’s time for Haim’s own set complete with a never-tired cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well,” a roof-lifting “Forever” together with handclap-led breakdown, and a floor-shuddering “Don’t Save Me.” “It’s been a second since we last played,” says Alana to an audience who hang onto her every word. The aptly-named “Sam Jam” climaxes with the most special guests of all: Donna and Moti Haim. “Mom, you’re spicy right now,” says Este, after a barnstorming, feel-good version of “Johnny B. Goode.” “Oh, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” retorts the matriarch of the rock n’ roll Von Trapps before giving that “Mustang Sally” another ride for the evening. Ending on “Let Me Go,” the three sisters finish on their signature drum-off, ensuring not an ounce of their effort has been spared.
“Y’all. That was unreal,” says Swift, bounding into the upstairs backstage area. I recognize that awe-inspired look in her eyes as the same one worn by every Haim first-timer, and certainly every Rockinhaim first timer. Tonight the Haims commemorated their guardian angel the only way they knew how. By making everyone feel alive.
Here’s the set list from the show:
Kesha – Your Love Is My Drug
Jenny Lewis – Just One Of The Guys
Jenny Lewis – Girl On Girl
Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue
Ed Droste – Surfer Girl
Haim – Falling
Haim – Oh Well
Haim – Honey & I
Haim – Don’t Save Me
Haim – The Wire
Haim – Forever
Rockinhaim – Johnny B Goode
Rockinhaim – Mustang Sally
Haim – Let Me Go
Additional reporting by Jeff Miller