Last month,during their annual pre-holiday show in Philadelphia,the band Baroness delivered a memorable performance,playing their first two full-length albums,Red and Blue,in their entirety. Reflecting on the experience, the band shared, “It was a great experience, unearthing the deeper cuts from those records that had faded from our setlist and it offered a rare chance to play some of those songs for the first time ever outside the studio.”
The response from fans was overwhelmingly positive, prompting the band to announce a repeat performance. “After the overwhelming and positive response from the Philadelphia shows (and while we’re busy writing our next record) we’re excited to present Red and Blue in full, once again,” they said. The upcoming performance will take place at the Prepare the Ground Festival 2025, where Baroness will share the stage with other notable acts like the reunited Kylesa and Yob, who will perform tracks from their album Atma alongside fan favorites.
For those curious about Baroness’s unique approach to album titles, frontman John Baizley shed light on the band’s chromatic theme in a 2019 interview. ”[The chromatic themed albums] were only ever meant to be a finite concept,” he explained. “the theme is sort of based on the conventional artist color wheel, which essentially has six colors in it; they are the three primaries, red, yellow, and blue, and the three secondary colors, which are green, orange, and purple.”
Baizley elaborated on the band’s creative vision, stating, “We [decided] to do the chromatic themed titles in 2007 when we just signed to Relapse Records. [The idea behind using colors as titles] was only ever a joke and was meant to conclude after we had done something with those six colors.” He added, “When we started off, we were playing music in, for lack of a better term, in the world of heavy music … we were all heavily invested in the DIY scene and punk music, and the look there was really dark, and it still is and always will be.”
The band’s decision to embrace vibrant aesthetics in a genre frequently enough dominated by darker tones was a purposeful choice. “Initially the idea was, among other things, that we might provide some kind of alternative aesthetic to [a genre primarily represented in] black and white, and occasionally red,” Baizley said. “So it was kind of like we could stick out, be a turd in the punch bowl so to speak, just by being colorful; it seemed so out of fashion at the time to do that. … We thought it would be funny and kind of fun to sort of mess with that idea of being a heavy band that plays loud and intense music, but also be very colorful.”
Looking ahead, Baizley expressed excitement about the band’s legacy. ”I’m super psyched to get [all] the records in our hands becuase I think it’s going to be an awesome moment for me to line up all our vinyl and all the album covers, one after the other, and see the conclusion of that joke.”
For more details about the Prepare the Ground Festival 2025, including lineup and ticket data, visit the official festival website.
What was the significance of performing *Red* and *Blue* in their entirety?
Interview with Baroness: reflecting on Their Iconic “Red” and “Blue” Performances
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
January 16, 2025
In the world of progressive metal and sludge rock, few bands have left as indelible a mark as Baroness. Known for their intricate compositions, vivid storytelling, and genre-defying sound, the band recently made headlines with their unforgettable performances of their frist two full-length albums, Red and Blue, in their entirety. Last month, during their annual pre-holiday show in Philadelphia, Baroness delivered a night that fans will cherish for years to come.
To delve deeper into this milestone moment, we sat down with John Baizley, the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and creative force, to discuss the experience, the significance of these albums, and what lies ahead for Baroness in 2025.
Archyde: John,thank you for joining us. Let’s start with the Philadelphia show. What was it like revisiting Red and Blue in their entirety after all these years?
John Baizley: Thank you for having me. It was an astonishing experience, honestly. These albums are such a foundational part of who we are as a band, and revisiting them felt like opening a time capsule. We hadn’t played some of those songs live in over a decade, and others we’d never performed outside the studio. It was a chance to reconnect with our roots and share that journey with our fans.
Archyde: Were there any particular tracks that stood out to you during the performance?
John Baizley: Absolutely. Songs like “Rays on Pinion” from Red and “The Sweetest Curse” from Blue were especially meaningful. They’re fan favorites, but they’re also deeply personal. Playing them again reminded me of the raw energy and emotion we poured into those records. And then there were deeper cuts like “Cockroach En Fleur” and “A Horse Called Golgotha” that we hadn’t touched in years. It was almost like rediscovering them for the first time.
Archyde: What was the fan reaction like?
john Baizley: Overwhelming, in the best way. The crowd was electric—singing along to every word, even the more obscure tracks. It felt like a shared festivity of these albums and the journey we’ve all been on together. that connection with the audience is what makes live performances so special.
Archyde: You’ve announced that you’ll be performing Red and Blue again at the Prepare the Ground Festival in Toronto this May. What can fans expect from those shows?
John Baizley: We’re really excited about the festival. It’s going to be a unique experience, with performances spread across multiple venues in Toronto. For Red and Blue, we’re planning to bring the same intensity and passion we had in Philadelphia, but with a few surprises. We’ve been experimenting with some new arrangements and visuals to make the shows even more immersive.
Archyde: Looking back, how do you feel Red and Blue have shaped Baroness’s identity over the years?
John Baizley: Those albums were a turning point for us. Red was our first full-length, and it set the tone for what we wanted to achieve as a band—melding heavy riffs with intricate melodies and storytelling. Blue took that vision even further, exploring new sonic territories and themes. Together, they laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Revisiting them has been a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much those early experiences still resonate with us.
Archyde: What’s next for Baroness in 2025?
john baizley: We’ve got a lot on the horizon. The prepare the Ground Festival is just the beginning. We’re also working on new material, which we’re really excited about. It’s still early days,but it feels like a natural evolution of what we’ve been building over the years. Beyond that, we’re planning to hit the road and bring these performances to as many fans as possible.
Archyde: Any final thoughts for your fans?
John Baizley: Just a huge thank you. Your support has meant everything to us, and being able to share these moments with you is what keeps us going. We can’t wait to see you all in Toronto and beyond.
As Baroness continues to push boundaries and celebrate their legacy,one thing is clear: their music remains as vital and impactful as ever. Don’t miss their performances at the Prepare the Ground Festival this May—it’s sure to be a landmark event for fans and newcomers alike.
For more updates on Baroness and other music news, stay tuned to Archyde.
