Words by Ella Donovan. Photos by Jess Daninhirsch.
Jack Antoff’s Bleachers returned to the city of bridges for an unforgettable night at Stage AE on June 5, 2024. Fans packed into the outdoor side of the venue, buzzing with anticipation and excitement.
Before Bleachers made their entrance, fans of all ages were packed into the pit and relaxing on the lawn. Fans were buzzing with energy, swapping stories of past concerts and eagerly anticipating their favorite songs. With a decorated set on the stage, everyone was also curious to see what the show had in store. Despite the rainy, cloudy day, the crowd’s enthusiasm was unwavering. Their excitement and positive attitude set the stage for an amazing night ahead.
The band opened the show with “I Am Right On Time,” an upbeat yet mellow song, perfect to warm up the crowd. Then, they went straight into their hit “Modern Girl” and had everyone on their feet jumping and dancing along. Couples in the crowd danced and sang to each other, emanating a joyful energy into the venue. With a band of extremely talented multi-instrumentalists, the live version of this song was even better than the recorded version.
The band was very impressive. Each member would switch instruments with another, depending on the song. There were 2 drum kits, which you don’t see often, and two phenomenal saxophone players who completely stole the show. It was hard to take your eyes off of these musicians- they were so in tune with their craft, as if the instrument was an extension of them.
Throughout the show, frontman Jack Antoff had many heart-to-heart moments with the audience, furthering the sense of community that was forming amongst fans. He tried to make the concert-goers a part of the show, consistently interacting with them and getting them to dance or wave their arms to the music. He did a good job at including them- Bleachers did not need to hire any backup singers because the crowd handled the job!
As the show reached its end, they played the crowd-favorite, “I Wanna Get Better,” proving itself to be the best song of the entire performance. The bittersweet joy that came from the crowd through the song was moving, due to the emotional message being conveyed. Antoff told Rolling Stone that “A lot of things on the album, including this song, are about loss… It feels joyous, but for me it’s very desperate.” This was a perfect description for how the crowd seemed to be feeling- joyous, yet desperate.
It was a rainy day at Stage AE, but Bleachers proved they were worth waiting in line for. They had an immense amount of passion and energy, and it radiated through the entire venue. With each song, Bleachers showcased their undeniable talent, promising continued growth and future greatness for the band.
If you ever have the chance to catch Bleachers live, do it!
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