Goth Babe Kicks Off Tour at Thompson’s Point in Maine [Photos]

Indie rock solo artist and up-and-comer Goth Babe just kicked off a headline run that sees them playing dozens of shows across the U.S. with a rotating support slot featuring indie pop singer-songwriter Ritt Momney and alt-pop band The Aces. We caught up with them on the tour’s opening night at Portland, Maine’s seaside venue, Thompson’s Point, on August 30th, 2024.  

Despite the fall temperatures setting in and another competing show in town that was completely sold out, upwards of 3,200 fans flocked to Thompson’s Point to catch the concert. Many showed up early to check out the different food trucks lined up along the water’s edge before Ritt Momney, a.k.a. Jack William Rutter, took to the stage.

Backed by a cohort of touring musicians, Rutter and company quickly worked through their set, which seemed to captivate the younger fans that had turned out early and lined up on the barricade. The crowd was especially appreciative when the band kicked into their massively viral cover of the Corinne Bailey Rae track “Put Your Records On,” closing things out as the sun was beginning to set.

After a bit of a wait, Goth Babe (real name Griffin Washburn) emerged, dazzlingly lit and clouded in stage fog and went right into “Spinnaker Days” and “Moments/Tides.” In between songs, Washburn explained to the crowd that he and his backing musicians had been in Portland all week preparing for the tour, giving a shout-out to local favourite spots Bard Coffee and Bread and Friends. As the set continued, the crew brought out an inflatable hamburger raft for a young “super fan” named Lily so she could crowd-surf her way out to the back of the audience. This would happen with another young fan again later in the set as well.

The evening was momentous for other reasons though, as Washburn shared it was their first time playing a new song, “Whole World,” which had just dropped that day. Goth Babe went on to bring out a giant Bob Ross cut-out to surf atop the crowd, instructing the audience to “crowd surf and take care of him!.” They would go on to play a few more tracks, including another recent release “Crocodile,” for only the second time ever. 

The night appeared to come to an abrupt end, however, leaving fans wanting more as the band had only played around 55 minutes, closing with the song “Weekend Friend.” Goth Babe let two more recorded electronic tracks ring out as fans milled around, finally filing out of the venue upon the realization that the show was indeed over. Quality over quantity, I guess. Goth Babe’s tour continues through mid-October.

Goth Babe (w/ Ritt Momney) @ Thomposon's Point (Portland, Maine) on August 30, 2024

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