The dreary New England weather was the perfect backdrop for indulging in sad music in Central Massachusetts. The chilly rain didn’t keep anyone from spilling into the Palladium's main stage, ready to sing their hearts out with the four performing bands. Because of typical 1-495 traffic, my group and I sadly missed the opening band, Kerosene Heights, but walking in and feeling the energy they created gave me the immediate impression I'd missed out. I took it upon myself to watch videos of their performance to piece together how they set the stage for the night, and I was blown away by the dynamic, textured vocals and how the melody soothed you into their lyrics before crashing into emotional rawness. It’s safe to say they have a spot on my Spotify playlist.
The moody lighting cascaded down on the second act, Carly Cosgrove, which brought a smile to this elder emo, as the name evoked memories of Nickelodeon in its prime. The gritty vocals sent an emotional surge through the thick crowd as we descended the stairs, and an active pit thrived center stage, even as the vocalist demanded hands be raised and clap along. A love letter to those dealing with depression and anxiety, the band felt like a spark in the dark, with their intricate lyrics the crowd sang along to and interactive stage presence. Bass player, Helen Barsz, was absolutely vibrant as they played.
The floor was electric as Free Throw took the stage, as everyone pushed forward to be a part of it. Blue and yellow lights illuminated the stage like a thunderstorm, as they brought the venue alive with their pleading, aggressive vocals that demanded your attention and devotion. The vocals of Cory Castro commanding presence pulled you into the eye of the storm, then drizzled down into melodic transcendence. With inspiration from bands like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance, both of whom dominated in the early 2000s, Free Throw tap into the nostalgia with Pokémon-themed tracks such as "Lavender Town", which admittedly is this horror junkies' favorite town, as it’s known for the Ghost-type Pokémon like Gastly and Haunter. There was no safe spot to hide from the crescendo of emotion as the entire theater sang, “I never should have told you that I loved you.” Crushing through every chest, a reminder of heartbreak, no matter how long ago it was experienced. Mourning love of the past, Free Throw haunted us with ghosts we’d rather forget. But that’s what brings us together. And to my delight, we got Chance Smith, the lead singer of Kerosene Heights, for “Two Beers In,” blending their two distinctive singing styles.
Microwave kept the energy high as they took the stage; singer Nathan Hardy not only graced us with his signature melodic-to-strained textured vocals but also delivered impressive guitar work.
The lyrics seemed to explode out of him as the songs grew in intensity, before all that energy flowed to his fingertips. Their grip on the crowd didn’t release until they were damn good and ready to end the night, just obliterating the stage with their musical talent. I found myself at the barricade up close and personal to his delivery, all while making friends in the crowd, which was a reminder of why I fell in love with the scene in the first place. With each band came the familiar feeling of every bad thought, every doubt and fear, amplified through their own words, but in this one spot, we can all remember we’re not alone in these feelings and maybe, just maybe, we’ll be okay.
All Photos Provided By Andrew Nirello