Brittany Belo ’14: Though a light drizzle blurred our vision, my friend and I were able to maneuver our way to the Theater of Living Arts on South Street in Philadelphia. after having been dropped about two blocks away. Our excitement was evident as we breathlessly anticipated the imminent appearance of Noah and the Whale.
A room that has the capacity to hold one thousand people was currently holding about fifteen eager teenagers, so we easily made it to the front row. The room was dimly lit and playing tunes that can be traced back to my childhood, ranging from “1985” by Bowling for Soup to newer songs like” Giving Up the Gun” by Vampire Weekend.
By 8 o’clock, it was show time. The opening act, The Soviet, waltzed out onto the stage. The lights had changed from a normal, but dim, tungsten white to a fluorescent magenta and passionate red. The Soviet set the tone for the night with their very cool “indie-rock,” as lead singer Josh described their style of music. “We don’t like to put a label on it,” drummer Kevin humorously interjected. If you’re a fan of The 1975, The Neighborhood, Blink182, or bands similar to these, you’ll love this new and upcoming, local group.
After about five or six killer songs, The Soviet thanked the rowdy crowd that now took up half the room, and left the stage. The stage crew scurried out onto the stage in their all black attire with scuffed up leather boots and worn-in Doc Martins, and rapidly replaced the instruments and wires that were currently onstage with the ones belonging to the main act, Noah & The Whale.
By now, the room was completely full. The lights dimmed completely, and the focus turned toward the screen at the back of the stage. It read “Noah & The Whale,” and was illuminated in an electrifying blue. The speakers blasted a funky version of the James Bond theme song, and then out came the group. Cool, calm, and collected, they picked up their instruments, welcomed the screaming crowd, and opened with “Tonight’s the Kind of Night.”
Noah and the Whale is a group of five British lads: Charlie Fink on lead vocals and guitar, Tom Hobden on Violin and the Keyboard, Matt “Urby Whale” Owens on the Bass, Fred Abbott on guitar and keyboard, and Michael Petulla on the drums. Noah and the Whale was formed in 2006 and has released four albums since then. Their major hits include “2 Atoms in a Molecule,” “5 Years’ Time,” “Blue Skies,” “L.I.F.E.G.E.S.O.N.,” and “Heart of Nowhere.” Their sound has evolved from indie-folk to a more contemporary, indie-rock genre. Despite their evolution in sound, NATW continues to maintain its upbeat tempo and inspirational lyrics. If you’re fans of Mumford and Sons, Kodaline, or Vampire Weekend, you should consider giving NATW a chance.
The night was full of flashing blue, purple, red, and yellow lights that accompanied the rhythm of each song. The lights portrayed the emotions of each song and truly captivated the audience. Charlie Fink’s love for music and performing was evident in every note he sang. His infectious smile could have illuminated the room itself. In between each ballad there was a quick pause, which consisted of playful banter between the band and the audience. Jokes about ending the government shutdown and Tom breaking his violin string were exchanged along with playful looks and thumbs-ups. After an hour and a half of melodic fun, the band re-introduced themselves and a left the stage – only to return a few moments later for an encore.
By 11:00, the show was officially over. After collecting a few souvenirs, we left the theatre, feeling exhilarated and buzzing with even more excitement than before.
The fall is definitely concert season. There are so many venues hosting concerts, raves, and festivals. The acts range from local to international and if you really look, tickets are at reasonable prices. Check Stubhub, Ticketfly, Livenation, or any other ticket vendors to get awesome deals on tickets for unforgettable concerts. The Philadelphia music scene is developing and becoming more active, so don’t miss out!