I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: July 28, 2023] Sydney Sprague

I had seen Syndey Sprague open for The Front Bottoms a couple years ago.  She was the first band of  the night and I wound up walking in after the first two songs.

I liked her vibes and overall sound.  But I was surprised/disappointed by her record which was a lot more poppy than her live show (which was kind of grungy and rocking).

For this show, she came out in an oversized shirt(she must have been very hot).

The other two bands were fairly heavy and rocking, and Sydney was almost in that style, but was a little softer, a little quieter.  Just a little.  The biggest difference was in her singing style which was a lot more monotone than t he other two singers.  Not monotone exactly, but nowhere near as expressive as the other singers.

Having said that, her set was a lot of fun and was full of songs from her new (as yet unreleased) album.   The first two (new) songs were catchy and a rocking.  The third, “Steve” slowed things down a bit but retained that catchiness with a big chorus.

“Object Permanence” is a poppy song–super catchy. 

She was fun and friendly but I feel like she had more fun at the Front Bottoms show.  If I had to guess, I’d say it was because it was about 95 degrees in there and we were all kind of miserable.

Her lead guitar player (Sebastien Deramat) was great, playing some cool sounds and adding nice little touches here and there.  Her bassist (Chuck Morriss) told a rather amusing story about losing his belt and then ordering one today via DoorDash and how insane that was.  I barely saw her drummer (who I think is Josh Morin) but he was solid, keeping things going as he should.

I liked her new songs quite a lot “If I’m Honest” was especially good.

She introduced another new song by saying it was about how everyone is so stupid and how “Nobody Knows Anything.”  She paused.  Except for us, of course.

The best song of the night was her single from last year “Think Nothing.”  It was super catchy and a major highlight.  Shame it’s not on the new album.

I don’t have any kind of setlist from her show in 2021, but here’s what she played in Philly.

1. smiley face €
2. I sob €
3. Steve ⊗
4. Object Permanence ⊗
5. Overkill €
6. Terrible Places €
7. If I’m Honest €
8. Time Is Gone ⊗
9. Nobody Knows Anything €
10. Think Nothing ♦

⊗ maybe i will see you at the end of the world (2020)
♦ single (2022)
€ somebody in hell loves you (2023)