Concert Review: The Story So Far

Words by: Emily Racanelli

Band: The Story So Far

Location: The Grand Ballroom at Webster Hall in NY, NY

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2015

            Disclaimer: Souvenirs, Terror, and Four Year Strong were the opening bands. However, I did not arrive in time to see them and therefore cannot comment on their performances.

The Story So Far: Jumping On Stage and Getting Enraged

“Hard shove, feel the heavy weight!” The Story So Far frontman Parker Cannon may be singing about a broken heart, but my concern is a broken bone. The heavy weight I’m feeling is from all the 20-somethings aggressively swaying back and forth--in addition to the several mosh pits that break out every few minutes. What else is to be expected of a show complete with 16 upbeat steady pop-punk songs, angrily screamed/sung at lightning fast speed?

The Walnut Creek, California natives opened their set with “Things I Can’t Change” but not before Cannon stepped onto the stage to already deem this his best birthday in years. Yes, not only was this show set to be a massive cathartic experience for every fan looking for a weeknight escape from their mundane lives, but also a celebration for the 23-year-old who has spent the last few years living on the road.

Cannon welcomed the fans to join the party, as the non-existent barricade allowed each and every person to hop up on stage and then surf into the the crowd. I’ll have to admit, watching the face of the security guard on the stage might have been the most entertaining part of the night. He laughed and shook his head as teenagers (some adorning heavy backpacks) fell from the sky and created a dent in the tightly packed mosh below. I may not have been willing to risk brain damage, but I understood where these kids were coming from. There’s something about singing along with lyrics like “Told me that you had to leave/But how the f**k does that change anything?” that creates a rage inside people’s chests. We all conjure up a mental image of the person who ripped our heart out, and together, that angst is compiled into a friendly aggression (as friendly as aggression can be!) as we cast our bodies adrift and put complete trust in total strangers.

Aside from the boisterous crowd, the real standouts were the new songs taken from the band’s latest self-titled album, which had been released two days prior (on May 19th.) Bass-laden “Heavy Gloom” may have been slower than the typical TSSF high-energy angsty anthem, but it cleverly encapsulated the pop-punk spirit fans are all-to familiar with. The second verse roars, “I hope you feel the heavy gloom when you’re all choked up in a crowded room/And your life trips up over those shoes/That you paid too much for but not in dues.” Halfway through every song I’d need to pause to catch my breath, which is why it didn’t surprise me that Cannon let the crowd carry the melodies for him. He’d sing a few lines and then point the mic to the audience, who would keep the tempo while he paced the stage.

Instead of letting this constant habit go without comment, he paused the set to jokingly apologize. He said, “Sorry I’m a little sluggish, I’ve been smoking all day.” If anything, I appreciated his honesty. Having recorded most of his music while high, it only seemed fitting that he’d be in an altered state of mind when performing live. (But this doesn’t mean you should do drugs, kids!) He then promptly stated, “Anybody in here straight edge?” The room feel silent with the exception of myself and a 30- something guy standing a few feet away from me. Pleased with my minority status, I was ready to get back into the music.

The boys closed out their set with “High Regard.” One of the quicker paced TSSF songs, it goes, “Tried to tell me that you knew from the start/That I would come to know that most would never enter my heart/‘Cause I’m colder than the others that’s what sets me apart/You manipulate and try to shine a light on my dark.” Arguably the best verse Cannon has ever written, I must’ve spent several hours before the show memorizing it via youtube and lyric websites. For some reason, there seems to be an accomplished feeling when you can race through lyrics at the same speed as the original singer. By this point I was so exhausted that I had positioned myself on the floor of the venue outside the main room, but it was just as exciting to scream “It’s my life, you should bounce and never call again” while being supported by the cold marble wall near the staircase.

It’s lyrics like these that explain why people put themselves through so much trouble for a show. Drenched in sweat and on the verge of passing out, it all becomes worth it when you can scream a line that makes you feel less alone in your tribulations. Although I would’ve liked to see a mellowing out in the set with “Clairvoyant” and “Navy Blue,” The Story So Far still managed to take my breath away--literally, the verses are so fast there’s no time to catch your breath--and create a memorable Thursday night.

Nothing has been announced as of yet, but with a new album we can most likely expect TSSF to hit the road again in the fall!

Concert-goers (girl on far right) make their appearance on the stage before diving into the pool of sweat below.  

Cannon and co. play to the sold out crowd