I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: January 23, 2024] John Harvie

I didn’t know who John Harvie was before this set.  He seemed like a slightly out of place artist since everyone else was female (token male on the tour perhaps?).  Although he was more of an odd presence because his songs are mega-emo rather than pop punky.

But he won me over pretty quickly because he’s a Philly guy and he was pretty psyched to be playing in his hometown.

Unlike Elliot Lee, Harvie had a live drummer.  Although like Lee, much of the rest of the music was on backing tracks. John did occasionally play guitar too.

The things that really made an impression on me were his stage presence and his voice.  he absolutely commanded the stage like a guy who has been playing for far longer.  And, even more impressive, his voice sounded like he was the singer for any number of long-time emo bands.  He strained his voice to the breaking point a few times (and may have paid for it by the end oft he show).

Most of his songs seemed to be a bout breakup, but there was some clever wordplay in the lyrics, which I appreciated.

I also chuckled when he said that “Beauty in the Bad Things” was about being an Eagles fan.

I wound up enjoying his set more than I thought I would.

1. roses £
2. A Little Bit Longer ©
3. Alaina ©
4. Beauty in the Bad Things ©
5. at my worst £
6. figure 8 £
7. Bleach (On the Rocks) ©

£ single 2023
© Told Ya. (2022)