JESSICA MEDITZ
Staff Writer
BJ’s Fredonia and Last Call Entertainment casually turned what would have been an otherwise boring Wednesday evening into a night of fun, friends and quality live music.
Bands Fernway, Ever Elsewhere and Young Animals took the stage last week, presenting a variety of headbanging, good tracks with the crowd.
Although their genres were different from one another, each band’s sound seemed to perfectly compliment the overall grungy vibe of BJ’s.
Ranging from covers of top 40 hits to more personal songs, there’s no doubt the song selections kept the audience on their toes.
Five-piece math rock / twinkly emo band Young Animals performed first, opening with their most popular song, “Regular Legs.”
I admired and was surprised by the fact that they chose to play this song first, as bands often play their more well- known tracks toward the end of their set.
It was an appropriate opener, initiating with sounds of guitar and bass accompanied by elements of punk and even blues.
The band’s lead vocalist, Olivia Schulte, had a voice that just perfectly morphed with the music. It was simultaneously melancholic and stunning.
“This has been such a cool experience, Fredonia,” Schulte said to the audience. “You guys are one of the most fun crowds we’ve had, and we’ve been interviewed about three times. That never happens, so I think that’s pretty cool.”
Another highlight of the set was their newest song, “Dibs.”
Schulte explained that she wrote the song about her experience with mental health, in hopes to reach out and remind people that they aren’t alone if they’re going through the same thing.
It wasn’t hard to tell that the song had a deeper meaning to the band, since it had emotional undertones.
At the same time, it was upbeat and energetic. “Dibs” is currently unreleased. However, the band says they hope to release it in early 2020.
Minutes after Young Animals took their bows, Ever Elsewhere took the stage.
Originally from Toronto, they revealed that it was their first night in the U.S. as Ever Elsewhere. Henry Dowling, one of the band’s guitarists, said he’d describe their genre as “a cross between Green Day and Coldplay, but mostly Coldplay.”
Their sound evoked feelings of nostalgia within me; being they’re a post hardcore band with inspirations of 2000’s pop punk.
One song from their set that personally resonated with me was “Momentary.”
It incorporated a hybrid of traditional pop punk elements such as aggressive guitar tones and powerful lyrics, but also put a modern twist on it.
The show ended with Fernway, of Buffalo. Self-described as having a similar sound to The 1975, I would concur and say that they’re purely alternative rock with hints of pop.
Songs such as “Wishing Well” and “Bottled Up” winked and nudged at sounds of pop with a groovy feel.
The crowd grooved along with them when they surprised us with a cover of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk.”
I admire alternative versions of hit songs because they allow those who aren’t familiar with the genre to appreciate it and be able to sing and dance along.
This moment was refreshing and memorable to me, as it felt like the entire crowd was united in a way that can’t be described.
They closed out the show with their single “Half- Life,” which was released just last month.
Attending this show reiterated the truth that music is a true art form, and it can be expressed in multiple styles.
I also came to the realization of how important it is to support local businesses and artists.
Last Wednesday was a one-of-a-kind experience, however I hope to see these bands again in the future.