Show Review

Pictures

China town got a taste of the scene life on Wednesday night when the crowd lined up around the block on Delancey Street to enter the quaint and petite Bowery Ballroom for the Paramore show. With a lineup like this show had, the night was expected to be entertaining- without a doubt.

Love Arcade was the first band to hit the tiny intimate stage. To be honest, I was expecting much- if anything. The first time I ever saw this band was at the sold out The Academy Is… show at Irving Plaza 2 months ago and it was less than a pleasant experience. This was one of the first times my opinion of a band was slapped in the face. Love Arcade was one of the best bands of the night. Maybe it was the acoustics, maybe it was my mood, but I was totally into these guys. They played fun upbeat tunes that people had no problem bopping to. After hearing the band’s added gangster flare in their songs, it wasn’t surprising they hail from Detroit. The lead singer that goes by stage name “Snowhite” was being flirtatious and making eyes at the ladies in the front row which fit perfectly with the songs they played titled “Tease Me” and “Sweet Thing.” They ended on a note that made it obvious why a major record label like Atlantic scooped them up with a sugary sweet pop song titled “Keep It Coming.” They made themselves worth sticking around for.

Before I even introduce this next band, it might be fair to say I would listen to these guys if they banged on tin cans in potato sacks while covering Jessica Simpson because I think they’d find some way to make it sound fantastic- I’m more than a fan. Without further ado- This Providence took the stage. The band started playing the intro to “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” as lead singer, Dan Young, came out with an armful of single pink flowers and gave them out one by one. Young grabbed the mic and the This Providence sensation swept the air. They played favorites such as “An Ocean Between” and “…But What Will They Say.” Dan Young emulated William Beckett as he swept across the stage with dance moves and mic in hand- minus the razzle dazzle that Beckett brings but just as much vocal talent. They went on to play “My Beautiful Rescue” with pretty vocals and even prettier music. The band was in the clear for a perfect show until right before their last song Young opened his mouth to shine some light on the crowd. “It’s about finding God…God is real.” I looked around to make sure I didn’t stumble into Saint Patrick’s Cathedral- nope, still at Bowery. I let it slide, because it was Dan Young for Christ sake! (pun intended) The band finished up the night with an incredible song titled “Losing Control” with the center of the song containing solid constant drumming and haunting vocals. The band took a bow in unison and it was on to The Almost.

When The Almost came out and front man Aaron Gillespie started screaming into the microphone and spitting all across the stage, I was a little surprised. They didn’t seem to fit after the last two bands that played. The Almost isn’t my type of music, but it’s obvious to see why people enjoy them. They had a lot of fans in the crowd that enjoyed favorites such as “Southern Weather,” “I Mostly Copy Other People” and “Everything That Makes Me Sick.” Gillespie eventually grabbed an acoustic guitar and surprised me with a song titled “Amazing Because It Is” that included lyrics to the famous song “Amazing Grace.” It was one of the most noticeably good songs of the night. Right before the last song, the crowd was subjected to another praise, but by Gillespie this time. “I believe you are special people…Jesus loves you.” All we were missing now was a choir. They summed up the evening with a song called “Say This Sooner.” The crowd cheered for the band as they said thank you and left the stage.

Paramore took to the stage at about 10 o’clock and Hayley Williams proved to be the cutest rocker chick around. She belted out notes to a new song “Misery Business” from their new album Riot! and old favorites “Brighter” and “Emergency” as the crowd shouted the lyrics back at her. She bounced around on stage and showed off great energy while wanting the same in return from the NYC crowd. “Don’t make me work for your lovin’ now!” Williams shouted to the audience. They played a catchy punk rock dance beat titled “Here We Go Again” which got the crowd moving with the verses. Hayley showed that being a girl in a mainly male business doesn’t mean you can’t outdo them easily. The girl runs circles around some of the front men in popular bands today. She’s got a distinctly great voice and a great stage presence. They prove worthy of headlining status and summed up perfectly a night of truly great sounding bands.

review by Christina Reynier