New Politics, The Mowgli’s and Plain White T’s took over The Van Buren for a triple headlining show that had the room singing at full volume all night.
Plain White T’s were the sleeper group of the evening, starting things off strong with a set packed with throwback jams. Frontman Tom Higgenson knows his band is famous for their signature sweet love songs, but they made sure to add in “Sick of Love” and “Hate (I Really Don’t Like You)” for a balance of saccharine and snide. Of course, they had plenty of love songs in the mix, and the audience had a blast swaying and singing to “1, 2, 3, 4” and “Rhythm of Love”. They closed with a beautiful sing-a-long to their smash hit “Hey There Delilah” and the energy of “Our Time Now”.
The tour shook things up, and The Mowgli’s took the stage next. The band is always sickeningly charming, but their fans are fully on board. Singers (and real life couple) Katie Earl and Josh Hogan kept the positivity flowing, reminding the crowd that they are beautiful, special and loved. Their uplifting vibes shone through on songs like “Spacin’ Out” and “I’m Good”. The band also debuted a new track called “Fighting” before closing with the enormously popular “San Francisco”.
Even with only three members, New Politics can fill a stage. David Boyd, Soren Hansen and Louis Vecchio blasted the audience with brightly colored lights and plenty of fog to kick things off with “Unstoppable” and “CIA”. Their entire set was packed with energy- and plenty of Boyd’s killer dance moves. Hansen also delivered stellar vocals, while holding down guitar and keys for the band. “West End Kids” kept the room dancing while “Yeah Yeah Yeah” had even the fans on the bleachers pumping their fists in the air.
New Politics are exuberant and flamboyant performers, expressing gratitude for the fans in the crowd while getting everyone to scream louder as the night went on. They slowed things down only momentarily for the simple and sweet “Color Green” before the energy went sky high to end on “Harlem” and “Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens)”.
Story and photos by Olivia Khiel
