by Alexandra Healey

This past Saturday, most of the people in Philadelphia were freezing and miserable on the snowiest day of spring. Yet a small portion of those people were looking forward to the sold out show at Johnny Brenda’s that featured Haroula Rose, Darlingside, and David Wax Museum.

All photos by Alexandra Healey

When I arrived, the venue was almost empty, but by the time Haroula Rose walked onto the stage, a hand full of people, ages varying from mid-’20s to late ’50s, crowded the balcony in order to get a good view for the whole show, while some scattered on the main level. Rose opened the show with “Brand New Start”, which created a calm feeling in the room. Throughout her performance, you could hear the crowd talking, as many people were meeting with friends and catching up, but yet were swaying along with her heavenly voice.

In the between songs, Rose commented on how Johnny Brenda’s felt cozy to her, as if she were in someone’s home, and you could tell that the crowd felt the same as they started to warm up from the cold day. The crowd began to become more comfortable and quiet as she built a rapport with them. Before starting her song “Walk Away”, Rose mentioned how she it was close to being in “a certain big vampire movie”, which caused the members of the crowd to have a good laugh. Once finishing that song, she closed with one of what she claimed to be one of her happiest sounding song, “Free To Be Me”.

Next up was Darlingside. When the music that filled the space between each musician stopped, the crowd erupted in cheer before the four-part band could even step onto stage. Guitarist/banjo player, Don, bassist, Dave, and guitar picker/cellist, Harris, gathered around one microphone while violinist/folk mandolinist, Auyon, sat off to the side due to his recent illness with pneumonia. They began their 70-minute set with “God of Loss”, which introduced their close harmonies for those not familiar with their music, even though I think I was the only one who wasn’t, and maybe neither was the mother of the nineteen year old standing next to me…but I can assure you, we both became fans once that song was over.

Not only did the music captivate the crowd, but so did the band’s personalities. Don told the crowd that even though he was usually okay with his 2008 “Justin Bieber haircut” because of his height, he was having trouble seeing the crowd on the upper level of the venue and that he now saw “the wisdom in Justin Bieber’s new hair”. Dave quietly stated that Don was the only person to ever say that.

They continued along with favorites like “Go Back” and “The Ancestor”, and were then joined on stage by Charles and Danilo, members of the headlining band, David Wax Museum. Unfortunately, due to guitar/cable issues, Charles was unable to join in and left the stage, with only Danilo on stage to add some quiet drumming to the song “Bird Says”. The band followed with their fun and quirky song “Harrison Ford”, before introducing themselves to the crowd. Even though Auyon wasn’t feeling one hundred percent himself, he added to the humor of the rest of his band members. He introduced everyone and what medications they were taking, including his own Z-Pack, and elderberry syrup from Whole Foods for Harris.

The highlight of their set, in my opinion, was definitely “Blow the House Down”, played second to last. The upbeat song caused everyone in the crowd, including myself, to let go and dance along. Forget about the weather outside! Eventually the band finished their set with “My Gal, My Guy” calming the crowd, but causing a good amount of foot tapping. Once they were done, the crowd once again burst with cheer and applause as the men of Darlingside bowed in thanks.

It seemed as though some people may had left between Darlingside and the last set, but those who stayed couldn’t stop smiling because of the performance they just saw and the band about to play. Finally, the Mexo-Americana folk band, David Wax Museum, entered the stage causing more cheer from those who stayed. The five piece band came out in outfits that made the crowd smile even more, including Charles’s neon orange overalls. They continued the foot-tapping theme of the show with songs like “Harder Before It Gets Easier” and “Yes, Maria, Yes”. They also showed off their unusual instruments such as lead vocalist David’s jarana jarocha, a small guitar from Mexico. and Sue’s (vocals also) donkey jaw bone. To make the night even more comfortable, the band stepped off stage into the center of the crowd alongside of Haroula Rose and Don and Dave from Darlingside to perform “Young Man” unplugged. Some members of the crowd pulled out their phones to record the intimate performance as most sung along, circling the band.

Back on stage David Wax Museum continued to play fan favorites such as “Vivian” and “Every Time Katie”, before closing the show with “Born With a Broken Heart”. When the music ended, the crowd applauded the band and those who played earlier before heading outside where the rain and snow had finally stopped. Even though it was still about thirty degrees, no one seemed to give it any thought and could only talk about the performances they just saw.