The Gaslight Anthem w/Northcote & Sammy Kay
The Showbox, Seattle, WA
03.20.15
The Gaslight Anthem, 8 years in, still perform heart-on-your-sleeve, New Jersey mall punk remarkably well. Touring in support of their 2014 full length Get Hurt, a record that concentrates on moving personally and sonically forward, The Gaslight Anthem, more than ever, are staking claim as a universal artist. While they may not be as punk as they started out, or as Springsteen-Americana as their roots, their brand of blue collar alt-rock hits hard.
Singer Brian Fallon’s powerfully lovelorn vocals are on point in TGA’s live show, along with stunning guitars and the effortless drumming of Ben Horowitz. With a 90-minute set, the band pulled out new tracks as well as old favorites. “The ’59 Sound” unsurprisingly had the crowd singing along the whole way through, as did a fantastic cover of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.” Noticeably missing was their usual opener “Stay Vicious,” as well as the title track “Get Hurt.” But maybe it was just time for a change.
The stylistic variations of The Gaslight Anthem’s recordings make for a stellar live set. Their nostalgic hard rock sound, smart lyrics, and minimal banter land you somewhere between a rowdy arena and an emotional wreck. Plus, they stuck to their guns and skipped the usual pre-encore break, instead playing straight through four more songs and pushing the night’s curfew, leaving the crowd anything but hurt.
Opening the show were Northcote (Canadian singer-songwriter Matt Goud) and New Jersey blues rocker Sammy Kay.
Gaslight Anthem Set List
Howl
1,000 Years
The ’59 Sound
Mulholland Drive
Biloxi Parish
High Lonesome
Old Haunts
Red Violins
45
Orphans
Handwritten
Helter Skeleton
Say I Won’t (Recognize)
Senor and the Queen
Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd cover)
Film Noir
The Diamond Church Street Choir
Too Much Blood
Sweet Morphine
Wooderson
American Slang
She Loves You
The Backseat
Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Sunny Martini
Gaslight Anthem
Northcote
Sammy Kay
