On one of the muggiest days in one of the muggiest summers in recent memory, Loose Limbs, Best Coast and Free Energy played a free show at Pier 17 at South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan on July 23. After a thumping, short set by Loose Limbs, LA’s Best Coast took the stage in the sweltering heat, and played most of the songs from their just-released debut album, Crazy For You. Although singer/guitarist Bethany Cosentino threatened to wilt in the heat, her mix of lo-fi surf rock and 60′s girl groups is tough to beat as far as summer soundtracks go.

Philadelphia’s Free Energy took the stage under threatening skies, and unleashed a set of arena-friendly rock that evoked memories of Thin Lizzy and Cheap Trick. Lead singer Paul Sprangers danced and jumped around the stage, looking like a mix between Iggy Pop and Kelly Leak. Maybe he inadvertently performed some sort of rain dance, because the band finished up mere minutes before the heavens opened up and let loose a huge thunderstorm.