Emarosa has always been one of those “must-see” bands still kicking in today’s scene. Let alone putting out relentlessly intricate and enticing music, their live show keeps them standing out from any other band and always has the audience on edge. We got to catch them at the Webster Underground in Hartford, CT on their latest tour with Jule Vera and A Lot Like Birds.
Despite the technical difficulties pushing the band’s start time well off schedule, Jule Vera bounced back and set the night off with their playful and vibrant rock. Vocalist Ansley Newman stole the hearts of the crowd with her starlet voice and, of course, her exceptional fashion. This band caught my eye when I walked by their set during my date of this year’s Vans Warped Tour, so finally getting the chance to watch a full set of theirs was a highlight to my night. The band closed out their set with my personal favorite song off of their latest album, “Something Good.”
A Lot Like Birds followed up with quite an expressive set, despite playing in the venue’s almost complete darkness. Bassist/vocalist Matt Coate kept things alive during another grueling and troublesome soundcheck with jokes and his solid dance moves, which the whole crowd seemed grateful for. This was my first time seeing the band live, and I must say I was ultimately impressed. Vocalist Corey Lockwood sent flashbacks of frontman Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath) with his memorable vocals and passionate onstage presence. The band’s set altogether had such a solid flow and consistency that I feel is hard to find in live performances these days.
Alongside more technical difficulties that were cursing each band that night, Emarosa still sold the crowd a great show for what they were given. The venue’s sound made it hard to hear Bradley Walden’s exceptional vocals, but what was lost in sound was made up in stage presence (of course). By the second song in, Walden was already towered over the crowd held up by the arms of fans. Regardless of whether or not you’re an active Emarosa fan, Walden has one of the strongest reputations in the scene for his crowd engagement and adrenaline-rising stage theatrics.
Remaining Tour Dates:
10/03 – Greensboro, NC @ The Blind Tiger
10/04 – West Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
10/05 – Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall
10/06 – Tampa, FL @ Orpheum Theatre
10/07 – Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
10/09 – Houston, TX @ Walters
10/10 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live
10/11 – Dallas, TX @ Dirty 30
10/13 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Half House
10/14 – San Diego, CA @ The Irenic
10/15 – Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
10/16 – Sacramento, CA @ Holy Diver
10/17 – Portland, OR @ Analog Theatre
10/18 – Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
10/21 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
10/22 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
10/23 – Lexington, KY @ The Burl
