While the Summer of 2015 has come and gone, it does not mean that the fun has to fizzle out. Keeping spirits high as the leaves began to fall in October, The Wilderness Politics Tour was set to kick off a two plus month excursion across America. What is The Wilderness Politics Tour, one may ask? It is a delightful co-headlining package with Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and New Politics with support from The Griswolds and LOLO. Presented by Journeys, this bundle is as diverse and exciting to see of an Alternative Rock tour to hit stages in 2015 with a mix of established hit-makers, rising stars, and developing talents. Having cities visited in their travels buzzing, perhaps one of the most exciting dates on the itinerary came on Wednesday, November 25th, when The Wilderness Politics Tour arrived in Huntington, New York for a Thanksgiving Eve celebration at The Paramount. Known as one of the biggest nights out of the year, with college students returning home for the first time and families together, The Paramount steadily had a flow of all ages entering the doors ready to kick back and celebrate the night with some uplifting music.
Beginning at the interesting start time of exactly 6:35 PM, soulful vocalist Lauren Pritchard, known professionally as LOLO, was the first to take the stage. Raised in Tennessee, spent time in Los Angeles, the United Kingdom, and now settled in the borough of Brooklyn, LOLO has traveled a long road to make it in entertainment. Gaining chops as musical actress on Broadway early on, LOLO is now signed to DCD2 Records and living her dreams as a singer-songwriter.
Releasing her EP, Comeback Queen, back in July, the vocalist, dressed in a Depeche Mode t-shirt, high-waist pants, and suspenders, approached the stage with her guitarist Joshua Hoisington and were ready to rattle the crowd as they began with a song called “Heard It From A Friend.” Doing just that, the singer held onto her microphone and belted out notes so strong and emotional, everyone had to turn their head as they played on with “Comeback Queen” and “Golden Year.” Channeling the energy of Soul singers of years past, LOLO was not only unique, she was electrifying. Moving through a brief set with ease, the singer emerged from the shadows of the ambient lighting and even came off the stage to connect with the audience beyond the barricade at points. As they closed with “Not Gonna Let You Walk Away,” the audience exploded into a round of applause as many could not help but want to hear more of LOLO.
Following a relatively quick change over, the four-piece band known as The Griswolds were ready to go next. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, the relatively young bunch consist of Vocalist/Guitarist Christopher Whitehall, Bassist Tim John, Guitarist Daniel Duque-Perez, and Drummer Lachlan West. Signed to Wind-Up Records, the band released their debut full-length album, Be Impressive, back in 2014. Living up to the records title, it broke the US mainstream Billboard 200 charts, hit number 7 on Top Heatseekers, and number 33 on Independent Albums. Not bad for a debut, and with just cause, as anyone who has heard The Griswolds know they bring a mass of positive energy with their dancey Alternative Rock tunes.
Approaching the stage with the goal to have everyone moving on the floor in mind, they began with electronic, tingling “Right On Track,” filled out with chanting vocals. Keeping the good feelings coming, “16 Years” and “If You Wanna Stay” followed, and just three songs in, The Griswolds had a great deal of people bopping their heads, singing, and dancing along. Taking a brief moment to address the crowd, the curly haired Whitehall, sporting a vintage cut-off sleeve Robert Plant t-shirt, expressed great appreciation to be on the stage with the line-up of artists before and after The Griswolds. Inviting everyone to join in the party, they rocked into a cover of country-mate Vance Joy’s cut “Riptide.” Adding their own flair to the song, the room reacted positively to the rendition with more swaying as the rhythm filled the air. Taking it back to their debut EP, Heart of a Lion, they then played fluffy, textured “Mississippi” before closing with single “Beware the Dog.” Like a bolt of energy, The Griswolds brand of music was a perfect wake up for one who may be feeling deflated from everyday stress. With that said, do not miss a chance to check this talented band out.
With two acts down, all that was left was the co-headlining team of New Politics and Andrew McHahon in the Wilderness. An already full house, the audience had the inclination that New Politics was up next and packed in tight to get closer to the action. Originally from the Northern European country of Denmark, New Politics came together back in 2009 when Vocalist David Boyd and Multi-Instrumentalist Søren Hansen began creating music. Like most good things, it began for fun, and quickly, the two realized they had something. Making the bold move to decide to leave friends and family, they uprooted, took a risk, and moved to Brooklyn to further explore their dream. Paying off, their 2010 self-titled debut record hit number 9 on Top Heatseekers charts and spawned two highly charted singles.
Still looking to make a big splash, they enlisted new drummer Louis Vecchio in 2011 and went to work on their sophomore effort to be released in 2013, A Bad Girl in Harlem. Ignited by the album’s lead single, New Politics rocketed up charts and A Bad Girl in Harlem hit number 1 on Top Heatseekers. Now two years later, they take bold steps forward with their third record, Vikings, and the risk is paying off dramatically. In fact, New Politics are more diverse sounding than ever, and audiences are taking notice. Going from opening support, to selling out small venues like New York City’s Bowery Ballroom, to now headlining theaters, New Politics are scorching.
Already having a mountain of clout developing beneath their feet, this Long Island show was extra special for a bulk of reasons. One, it marked their first visit ever to The Paramount, often a big accomplishment for many bands. Two, and most of all, it was a homecoming for Vecchio who was raised just a few miles South of the venue in Farmingdale. With a sense of excitement in the air,z Hansen, Vecchio, and then Boyd appeared as they began with Vikings lead single, “Everywhere I Go (Kings & Queens).” Introduced months prior to the record release back in 2014, it was a perfect table setting track as they followed with another single, “Tonight You’re Perfect.” Feeding off the reaction of the audience, each member’s eyes were opened wide, and as a result, put on one of their best live performances ever as they rattled off a shuffle of newer and older tracks like “50 Feet Tall,” an alternative edition of “Berlin,” and “Aristocrat.”
Working up a sweat, Boyd dazzled with his signature break-dancing and headstands, as Hansen mirrored the stage presence of a Punk Rocker from yesteryear, while Vecchio encouraged his fellow Long Islanders, pointing his drum sticks toward the floor, resulting in amplified screams. Confessing their overwhelming joy to be performing, the three-piece band did not center around one member’s personality, but beamed a collective persona. Think of it as one part Rock (Vecchio), one part Punk (Hansen), and one part Alternative (Boyd), a multi-colored rainbow as they blasted into older song “Just Like Me” and one they called very dear to their heart with “Overcome.” Not bunching up the set with single after single, they spread out some deeper album tracks playing on with hit single “West End Kids,” “15 Dreams,” and “Fall Into These Arms” where Boyd stepped into the crowd. While some acts only get the crowd going for the singles, this audience proved they have listened to New Politics albums in full and devoted a balanced positive reaction to each one performed.
Switching gears a bit, and showing a softer side to their music, Hansen was handed lead on the beautiful “Stardust.” A song drenched with soft, emotional singing by Hansen and piano, the audience held their cellphones in the air, emulating stars in the sky. Ending the song with a quick verse of Haddaway’s “What is Love,” Hansen had the room in the palm of his hands as cheers came pouring down. While the mellow song was a welcomed interjection, New Politics picked it right back up with the bouncy “Girl Crush,” which saw Andrew McMahon join Boyd on vocals.
Keeping his stamina, Boyd continued to dance about the stage until the last note. He even surfed the hands of fans toward the center of the floor, once again, sending the audience in a frenzy. Then, like a volcano about to erupt, they went into Punk thrasher “Yeah Yeah Yeah” before big hit “Harlem” concluded the set. To say New Politics were energetic would be an understatement. This band was on fire and left it all on stage, making for a night this Long Island crowd will never forget.
At this point, The Paramount needed a break to recharge their batteries following New Politics. Thankfully a set change gave everyone time to do so prior to Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. Born on the East Coast of the US, but spending his formidable years on the West Coast for over fifteen years now, beginning with his time in Something Corporate, to his solo endeavors of Jack’s Mannequin, to now his most recent project, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia back in 2005, McMahon stood strong against the disease and beat it. A life perspective-changing event, McMahon founded a non-profit charity entitled The Dear Jack Foundation to raise funds for cancer research. Now thirty-three years of age, he is healthy, married, a father, and still creating some great music.
Along with Zac Clark (keyboards), Jay McMillan (drums), and Mikey “The Kid” Wagner (bass), McMahon took to The Paramount stage in subtle fashion as he sat behind his piano for a solo rendition of “Rainy Girl.” A mellow way to get things started, McMahon’s soft voice invited the audience into his world as a living room like setup surrounded the band with a fish bowl atop the piano. Keeping to the piano keys, McMahon went into Jack’s Mannequin song “Dark Blue” followed by “Canyon Moon,” but now animated in his approach as he stood up, leaned into the keys, and captivated the room. Even standing on top of the piano at one point, mixing up the song selection, he visited the past some more with Something Corporate’s “I Woke Up in a Car” and Jack’s Mannequin’s “Holiday From Real,” but tucking in the synth laced The Wilderness tune “Map For The Getaway.”
Keeping the atmosphere light, loose, and fun, McMahon in The Wilderness went into more songs from their 2014 self-titled debut with the upbeat “High Dive” and “Halls.” Showing the growth of McMahon as a songwriter, the textures of the instrumentation surrounding his voice and piano playing was nothing less than perfect in the live setting. Immersed in the performance, his facial expression told a story of a man who takes nothing for granted as he bared his soul in the songs. Conversing with the room, McMahon expressed his appreciation for the fans’ support and continued on with favorites like Jack’s Mannequin songs “Swim” and “Bloodshot” before Something Corporate’s “Punk Rock Princess.”
Having everyone singing along in unison, they then played “All Our Lives” before an epic finale of “La La Lie” where The Griswolds, New Politics, and LOLO all joined on stage. Singing and dancing all together, McMahon wore LOLO’s fur coat during the rendition and he, LOLO, Boyd, Vecchio, and Whitehall all stood on top of the piano to say good night. Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving, McMahon in The Wilderness departed from the stage to a sea of cheers. Giving everyone an extra special treat, the band returned for an encore that saw everyone clapping and singing along for “Cecilia and the Satellite” as a massive balloon floated in the middle of the room with confetti raining down. All smiles, the crowd roared as the encore wrapped up with “Synesthesia.”
Andrew McMahon in The Wilderness were nothing short of breathtaking in their performance. Uniting a cool, calm vibe with a great selection of songs, it was a perfect way to spend Thanksgiving Eve. As for The Wilderness Politics Tour as a whole, each act did a sensational job of bringing warm sensations to The Paramount crowd. While the tour is now concluded, LOLO has much planned, The Griswolds head back home for some shows, New Politics have plenty more on tap, and Andrew McMahon will be rounding out 2015 with some shows before the big Jack’s Mannequin 10 Year In Transit Tour in 2016.
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