When We Were Young Festival is moving into its fourth year, bringing along with it some side shows. These precursor shows could be seen as a taste of what was come, the blast of nostalgia that we love to feel. In this case, that meant a rowdy and dynamite night at the Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, featuring Story of The Year and The Cab, supported by The Rocket Summer, and Her Leather Jacket.
While I had briefly heard of Her Leather Jacket, I was not prepared for the sheer energy they would bring. Anyone seeing them perform at When We Were Young will be able to attest to that. I would venture to describe them as having an “I don’t give a *&%$” attitude, with a side helping of “making my own sound.” Think rock meets punk synergy at the corner: fast and fun. Where they really shined was in their onstage chemistry. Audience members could tell easily that this was not just show to them: it was passion and dreams realized. Her Leather Jacket was a perfect fit to this lineup, as well as an excellent choice to warm the crowd for what was to come.
Now, If Her Leather Jacket was rock meets punk, then The Rocket Summer is rock meets a singer/songwriter style. I have to admit, I didn’t know this one coming in, and like so many times before, I now have another grand artist added to all my lists.
With a wonderful voice and unique play style, Bryce Avary’s solo project is one that true music fans should not miss out on. Personally, I am always impressed by someone who is able to play multiple instruments, let alone being able to run a loop and play entire songs by themselves. This entire set was no exception. Jumping between guitar, keys, and drums, there was no way to predict where or what he would do next. It was an absolute pleasure of a set.
Being a Las Vegas local, seeing The Cab on the ticket was an absolute treat. It has been over ten years since their last live performance, and even longer since a hometown show. If you were in the crowd though, you wouldn’t have been able to tell at all. It was an effortless performance, with perfect flow, fun anecdotes, and emotions that could be felt just by looking at anyone. One of the things I constantly look at while at shows is crowd participation. You know you are in for an outstanding time when there isn’t a single person standing still or not singing along. That was especially the case when they closed with “Angel with a Shotgun.” Pop-punk has been making a comeback lately, and The Cab is by far one the best to bring it back into the mainstream. With two more performances this weekend, both on the Ghost Stage of When We Were Young festival, hopefully we see The Cab back with more consistent action soon?
Story of the Year. The name in itself is a statement of grand proportions. Grand does not even begin to describe the kind of show these guys put on. I think I first heard “Until the Day I Die” at what would have been one of the most pivotal times in my life. Fourteen years old, angsty, and out for blood—who doesn’t turn to heavy rock to cope? Story of The Year found a lifelong fan with that track, spanning more than 20 years and counting.
This show, like the two times I have been able to see them live before, was another rung in the proverbial ladder of best shows ever. When you start your set with a song like “And the Hero Will Drown,” you know exactly how you want the audience to react. It was perfection to the point, if on the outside, you would have thought it was scripted. What makes this even better? Throwing into the set “Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb),” their newest single, released less than two days prior.
What makes a Story of The Year so good? Energy. Absolute and unrivaled nuclear energy. From the first note to the last second of their set, there is not a moments rest. Vocalist Dan Marsala has a presence that shows you exactly what it is like to just be in the moment and enjoy everything. Charisma in that guy is off the charts.
Hands down, this was not a side show. This was a main event, and a main event for the ages. I do not think there could have been a better way to start off this festival weekend. Between the supporting acts of gold, and the many surprises of the shows leads, this was an example of what an audience longs for.
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