Tour Review: Bayside Holiday Show 12/28/13

                The entire Keep Calm and Carry On team got together at the Starland Ballroom on December 28^th to celebrate 2013’s holiday season with Bayside and friends.  One of many holiday shows this year at Starland, this was something quite special as it was the first show Bayside ever headlined at the popular venue.  Even with that, the band had no trouble filling the place with excited and energetic fans.

                Modern Baseball was all smiles as they kicked off the show, playing songs mostly from the year-old LP Sports as well as their new song “Your Graduation,” the first single off their upcoming album You’re Gonna Miss it All.  Full of good vibes and energy, their set contained all the aspects of watching your best friend’s band play in a basement without the cramped space and bad acoustics.  Sounding great while looking like they were genuinely having the time of their lives, Modern Baseball got the fans going, an entertaining and energetic start to the evening.

                 Up next, A Loss For Words picked up where Modern Baseball left off, absolutely exploding with energy and that holiday spirit.  Most notably, however, were the nice words from vocalist Matt Arsenault about a good friend and marine who recently passed away while deployed.  Following a moment of silence to pay respect, the crowd began chanting “USA” after honoring all of those who couldn’t make it home for the holidays while serving our country.  From there, AL4W jumped right back into the music, playing new and old favorites which made fans of all ages bang their heads.

                Man Overboard opened with a slowed down holiday song before breaking into their set list.  Their pop-punk defenders appeared in full-force, spending the entire set surfing up the barrier for the chance to high-five whichever vocalist they could get close enough to. Personally, I am not a fan of Man Overboard’s recorded material and did not find their live sound impressive either.  Although I will probably never understand their appeal, I can’t dispute that they are a New Jersey fan favorite as kids seem to completely lose it during their set.

                Every time I see Bayside play, I get more and more confident in saying they are one of the best live bands out there.  It is almost effortless in the way each member commands attention without overpowering the other.  2014 marks ten years since Bayside’s release of their first full-length Sirens and Condolences, but these guys still have the energy and the stage presence of the young up-and-comers in the genre.  Yet, in these ten years, Bayside has mastered showmanship and live performance that has kids in high school and adults in their forties alike flocking to venues to see these legends do what they do best.  At one point, vocalist Anthony Raneri joked about the audience getting old, suggesting just how long these guys have been at it while maintaining the ability to keep fans excited about their music for a decade.  As a fan that has been around for 8 years now (it’s actually scary to think about), it really does seem like Bayside hasn’t aged a bit while continuing to build their discography.  After playing a lengthy set with the energy just as high at the end as it was in the beginning, I’m convinced these guys have more stamina than most twenty-year olds.  Standing in front of guitarist Jack O’Shea, I spent half the show in awe over his ability to make every flawless solo look incredibly easy.  While the holiday shows may be over, don’t be discouraged, reader!  Bayside will be headlining an American tour beginning in March as well as opening for Alkaline Trio’s European tour that starts in April so no matter where in the world you might be, be sure to catch these guys in the upcoming months.  You won’t regret it.