Is Midwest emo a genre, a location, or a state of mind? In a sub-genre that is often bent to the will of fans of similar bands, the musical influences of the early 1990s, and the overlap between genres, it’s hard not to consider California based Joyce Manor among that number. Especially with support from Algernon Cadwallader as well as Liquid Mike, ending their tour in the heart of the Midwest at Concord Music Hall, Joyce Manor took the stage, thanking the crowd and hailing Chicago as one of their “long-time favorites.” Whether or not its considered to be true, it is needless to say that the term ‘Midwest emo’ was thrown around more than a couple times that night.
Closing out the last night of their ten year anniversary tour for their third album Never Hungover Again, the walls and floor shook to the sold-out crowd dancing and moshing and crowd-surfing. Featuring all ten songs from the aforementioned album, the setlist also contained many fan favorites such as the famous “Constant Headache,” as well as others like “NBTSA,” and “Eighteen.”
Nothing could stop the night from being a success, not even the breaking of touring drummer Jared Shavelson’s kick drum. During the following interlude, frontman Barry Johnson asked the crowd what song they would like to hear acapella, when to his and honestly everyone else’s confusion most of the crowd started chanting ‘Weezer.’ Barry played “I’m Always Tired.” With a whopping 4 song encore and a grand total of 28 songs from start to finish, it was still hard to believe the night was over as the last notes of “Five Beer Plan” rang out.
Though the U.S. tour has concluded, you can catch Joyce Manor overseas next spring, in Australia and Spain here.
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