Review : Bayside/Straylight Run - Webster Theatre, Hartford, CT

January 26, 2008

Straylight Run

A mix-up of ex Taking Back Sunday members, Straylight Run is an indie band currently signed to Victory Records. Their set was roughly an hour long and stuck in the middle of two much faster paced bands: Bayside and Four Year Strong. All was not lost, however. Michelle DaRosa's voice really makes their music come alive and while they seem to have a more pop/experiemental vibe about them, some of their songs can cause some energy to expend from the crowd and at least get some head bobbing going. It was a good first experience and while not entirely my personal style, seeing Straylight is a worthwhile ticket purchase, just make sure you bring your significant other along.

Bayside

The boys from Queens are back! Touring in support of their latest effort "The Walking Wounded", this was my third experience seeing Bayside in one form or another. I saw the entire band at Toad's Place during the spring of 2007 and also had the pleasure of seeing Anthony Raneri, the lead singer, perform a solo acoustic show at the Webster Underground late last summer, which was an entirely special experience all on it's own.

As usual, the band came out with obscene amounts of energy and thrashed through a full two hour set, mixing both old and new songs. Every song was equally powerful, but "Duality" and "Devotion and Desire" carried the most weight with me. The pit was full of energy and the band fed off of that. Anthony spoke out to security, after they moved into the pit and caused a lull in the action: "I'm not playing for you guys, I'm playing for them. They're just dancing, man.... Leave them alone!" and then he proudly presented a middle finger to what was the drain of energy in the room. Just what a fan needs to hear to keep the momentum going! I sustained two swollen fists, a bruised elbow and chipped front tooth, but all are to be expected and signs that a good time was had! My expectations were met and exceeded by this powerful foursome and I look forward to seeing them again ASAP! Make getting your hands on a ticket an absolute priority, should they visit your area!