by Donte Kirby
From beginning to end, the sold out show was electrifying with Kevin Devine, Philly natives Balance and Composure, and Manchester Orchestra at the TLA on Saturday night.
The night began with Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band, a high energy set that lacked the intricate lighting and stage effects of the bands to follow, but more than made up for it with their charisma on the stage. Every song where the energy peaked had Devine jumping up and down, and dancing back and forth across the stage.
Kevin Devine (photo credit, Donte Kirby)
Devine eased the crowd into the more heavy emo alternative sound that was to come with tracks like “Little Bulldozer” and “Cotton Crush,” the former from his latest solo album, Bulldozer, and the latter from Split the Country, Split the Street. For a second there was a mosh that died as quickly as it began, but it was an omen of things to come.
When the TLA screen rolled up, the stage was bathed in red light, a rotating, circular image that looked like the surface of the moon, and then drops of liquid on a windshield projected on a banner that covered the stage’s whole back wall and read “Balance and Composure”. The frenzy and enthusiasm of the crowd was the reception you would expect for hometown heroes, and Balance and Composure did not disappoint. The five piece with three guitars elicited the hardest mosh of the night. Fans jumped toward the stage until eventually one of the tallest guys in attendance made that leap over the crowd and surfed towards the front.
Balance and Composure (photo credit, Donte Kirby)
If you couldn’t understand the lyrics, lead singer Jon Simmons made sure you felt it when he sung. The angst and emotion came through strong in Simmons’ voice, a testament to his voice because it could just as easily been drowned out by the wall of sound backing him.
From the beginning of their set to the end, Manchester Orchestra had the crowd eating out of the palms of their hands. They put on a show that was a feast for both the ears and the eyes. Lighting added to the gravity of the songs and interaction among the band members made the performance come alive.
Lead singer Andy Hull reminisced on stage about his first time playing in Philadelphia at the North Star Bar (nobody showed up). He talked about how he had to sit outside in eight degree weather before his set because he was too young to get in and how he’s come to love Philadelphia since. The fans returned that love by knowing every word and singing along through Manchester Orchestra’s set. Fans even knew the newer stuff off their latest album, Cope.
Manchester Orchestra (photo credit, Donte Kirby)
Manchester Orchestra was in Philly for two nights and after witnessing the Saturday show, there is no doubt in my mind that Sunday’s show was just as good (if not better). I’m sure I’m not alone in my anticipation of the next time Manchester Orchestra is in our city.
