By Charissa Che
The Complex is an interesting venue in that, if you’re attending a show and are not all too familiar with the bands on the roster, you need not fret; the crowd mulling around can give you a pretty good idea as to what to expect. On the night of Monday, April 9, there was an inordinate amount of flannel, see-through yoga pants and neon-colored coifs. Appropriately, the night’s acts, Souvenirs, Lydia, and headliners Moose Blood, were broodingly confessional, commanded the whims of many female audience members, and were “alternative” in their own rights.
Hands down, Lydia was the standout of the night. Souvenirs provided a somewhat lukewarm opening to an initially sparse crowd, and perhaps most perplexedly, the set included a particularly short number about a then-ex who broke the lead singer’s heart, or something.
While similarly brooding, the headliners were more well-rounded in their performance and compositions, and commanded the crowd in a way characteristic of a cult band.
Lydia is arguably “emo rock” as well, but unlike their co-performers, their sound begs a more nuanced description. Already a darkly edgy studio track, their live take of “Goodside” took on cinematic heights on stage, with the help of Evan Chapman’s hard-hitting drums, Matt Keller’s creeping keys, and of course, Leighton Antelman’s anguished falsetto during the chorus.
The rest of Lydia’s set followed suit and primarily recalled their previous albums; namely, Run Wild. Antelman and his comrades were refreshingly all-smiles throughout, and provided a welcomed burst of intensity in the middle of two comparatively demure acts.
To view more photos from the show, go here.
