Movements (w/ Can’t Swim, Super Whatevr, Gleemer) @ Brighton Music Hall (Allston, MA) on March 25, 2018 [Photos & Show Review]

Southern California’s Movements have been making quite a bit of noise in the scene. Dubbed as part of the “emo revival”, the group was signed to Fearless Records in 2015 after playing only one show. After multiple support gigs and an EP, they played for the entirety of the 2017 Vans Warped Tour, which culminated in a large following and a nomination for “Best Underground Band” at the 2017 Alternative Press Music Awards. Movements released their first full-length album, Feel Something, in October of 2017 and it peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Top New Artist Album chart and #190 on the Hot 200 chart. They then went on to sell out their first-ever U.S. headline tour, including their stop in Allston, MA at Brighton Music Hall.

First to the stage was Colorado’s Gleemer. Relatively calm compared to Movements, the band was reminiscent of ‘90s alternative rock with modern riffs and a current indie-rock influence. Their set was short and uneventful, it was clear that they are still very green touring musicians. While the music was good, there was a lack of stage presence and overall energy that made their set fall flat despite their talent as musicians.

The pace picked back up as Super Whatevr took the stage. The “aftermath of a series of wrong turns and bad decisions made by Skyler McKee [vocals]”, according to their website, the California natives opt for a more upbeat and fun sound, while writing lyrics that still evoke feelings of melancholic realness ever-present during this “emo revival”. It was clear that the show was going uphill now and the crowd started to become more involved with the faster pace. With only one studio album to their name, most of the set was comprised of selections from Nothing Nowhere, but a few older tracks still snuck their way in.

As the crowd warmed up and the venue became fully packed, Can’t Swim swiftly picked up where Super Whatevr left off. Defined by their heavy basslines and head-banging hooks, the New Jersey natives packed a punch with their set. With his heart on his sleeve, front-man Chris LaPorto delivered aggressive and angst-filled vocals, taking shots at all of the people who have wronged him in this lifetime. Their set concluded with “Strangers” and “Your Clothes”, two of their arguably angriest and heaviest songs.

Can’t Swim left the crowd riled up and eagerly waiting to get moving again. Eventually, the lights dimmed for the final time, and a sign with “Feel Something” draped behind the drum kit illuminated the stage. Movements took the stage to thunderous applause from the sold out crowd and quickly went into “Full Circle” and “Under The Gun”. The crowd was quick to get going again, with crowd-surfers flying over the barricade within the first two songs. Stopping very little between songs, Movements played the first song from their EP Outgrown Things, “Worst Wishes”.

Vocalist Patrick Miranda has publicly opened up about his struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression. These themes resonate heavily with their audience and you could feel the room swell with emotion in every song. Feelings were at a high for the night as “Deadly Dull” began, a song Miranda wrote about his grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Miranda was not very talkative throughout the night, but did make it a point to stop and thank everyone for selling out their first-ever headline show in the Boston area. It was a big night for Movements and their fans as they graduated from support to a national headline act able to sell out entire tour, and there are sure to be big things coming in the future for them as well!

Check out the official music video for the Movements song “Deadly Dull”.