By Hallie Gay
As a long-time listener of the emo and pop-punk genres, Tigers Jaw, a band formed in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the mid-2000s, has been on my concert bucket list for years. After attending their show at The Masquerade’s Hell Stage on April 9th, I can confidently say that the band exceeds expectations.
When I, along with some fellow WUOG members and friends, arrive at Underground Atlanta just before 6 PM, a steadily growing queue has already formed outside the venue, although doors will not be open for another hour or so. Some people in the crowd are what I expected: millennials in their mid-30s, around the same age as the band. Towards the front of the line, I take note of a teenage fan with their mom. I am unexpectedly reminded of how it felt to leave class early in high school to drive to Atlanta for a show that I would excitedly sport on my t-shirt the next day.
The first of two openers is an artist I don’t recognize, Creeks, who, throughout his set, creates a conversational relationship with the audience. He mentions his first LP and, upon hearing reactions from the crowd, laughs and says that he knows we haven’t heard it and shouldn’t lie. It’s his last night on the tour, and he tells us that the members of Tigers Jaw are old friends before expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to play with them. Creeks’ set is entirely acoustic, but his vocals are raw and emotional, establishing a powerful presence on stage.
The second openers, Hot Flash Heat Wave, have a bright sound and fast-paced energy that brings me back to the indie rock revival of the late-2010s. Their music balances polished lead guitar with distorted, grungy chords, a duality best displayed as the two vocalists alternate, one on bass and the other on guitar. As they’re wrapping up, Hot Flash Heat Wave echoes Creeks’ excitement to be playing with Tigers Jaw. I can’t remember the last time I heard opening acts speak so highly of the headlining band. One vocalist recalls listening to the song “Chemicals” countless times in one day, a comment to which the crowd cheers, as I’m sure many of us in the audience are familiar with the experience, possibly with the same song. Later that night, “Chemicals” is dedicated to Hot Flash Heat Wave.
When Tigers Jaw takes the stage, I’m shamefully leaving the merch booth with a new t-shirt and less money in my bank account than when I arrived. I decided to enjoy the show from the second floor of the venue to get an observational view of both the band and the audience. I see the first crowd surfers of the night with “The Sun,” a fan favorite from the band’s self-titled album.
The band is touring their latest album, Lost on You, which came out less than two weeks prior to the tour’s Atlanta date. As opening notes and lyrics prompt each new song, I hear a few isolated screams of excitement. Despite the album’s recent release, it seems fans already have strong feelings about their favorites. Between songs, the vocalists regularly thank listeners for their support over the years and on the new album.
The final song of the night is “I Saw Water,” which, like “The Sun,” remains a staple from the band’s early years. After hearing the excitement of the audience, a line of security guards get into position along the barricade. Based on the number of crowd surfers, I watch anxiously from the balcony, hoping everyone makes it safely to the front. However, to my surprise and relief, no one ever comes close to falling. I see one crowd surfer sing along with someone at the other end of the room, and they gesture to one another rather than the band. Maybe they’re friends, but it’s also entirely possible that they both just really like this song.
For me, this show solidified Tigers Jaw as both a staple of their genre and as musicians with a genuine appreciation for the alternative rock scene, the artists that work alongside them, and the audience that makes shows like this possible.
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