By Louis Roe
First, some context: I’ve been trying to catch Screaming Females in Boston for the last three years. Their visits to Massachusetts aren’t even that infrequent; within that time frame, they’ve played the Middle East, the Royale, TT the Bear’s, the Firehouse (Worcester), and just about every other venue venue in the area. There was always some obstacle, though—they’d go on just as the T was about to stop running for the night, or I’d be out of town, or a ride would fall through. Pathetic excuses.
Those days, at last, are behind me. I finally got to hang around Great Scott long enough to catch the completely worthwhile beginning of Screaming Females’ set. I did have to take off into the night before our beloved public transit turned into a pumpkin, but those minutes were years in the making and I got to enjoy the full sets of three other very cool bands.
Vacation opened to a practically full house; judging by the energy in the crowd, Boston had eagerly anticipated a visit from the summery Cincinatti four-piece. And why wouldn’t we? This band was a fist of sunshine penetrating the wintry mix.
The energy only intensified by the time
Tenement (Appleton, WI) took the stage to deliver a performance that was lively, loud, and stylish as heck.
When it was
Priests‘ (Washington, D.C.) turn to go on, the space near the front noticeably transformed. Let’s just say I didn’t have to crane my neck to catch a glimpse of guitar between tall shoulders anymore. The energy on stage and around the room was incredible—empowered—even reverent. Each member of the band seemed to own the spotlight at various points throughout the set, demonstrating an impassioned chemistry and mutual respect that carried itself into the crowd.
After all the waiting,
Screaming Females (New Brunswick, NJ) did not disappoint. Marissa Paternoster was connected to her guitar in a way that other people are barely connected to their own limbs, while King Mike serenely kept pace on bass and Jarrett Dougherty delivered a beat no one could stand still to. Together, Screaming Females created a sound and an experience much larger than three people, channeling the energy that’s driven them across six albums in ten years into a clean Five Point Palm Exploding Heart of musical prowess.
Screaming Females continue to plough across the country and back at full speed, with another stop in Massachusetts coming up in April. Check out the tour dates below!
3/12. The Social. Orlando, FL
3/13. The Atlantic. Gainesville, FL
3/14. All Saints Cafe. Tallahassee, FL
3/15. Sisters in Christ Records (Gasa Gasa). New Orleans, LA
3/16. GALAX Z FAIR IV. McAllen, TX
3/17. Walter’s Downtown. Houston, TX
3/18-21. SXSW. Austin, TX
3/22. Club Dada (Spillover Fest). Dallas, TX
3/24. The Riot Room. Kansas City, MO
3/25. The Black Sheep. Springfield, IL
3/26. The Bishop. Bloomington, IN
3/27. Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
3/28. Ferndale, MI – Loving Touch
3/29. Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox
4/04. Asbury, NJ – Asbury Lanes
4/05. Columbus Theater. Providence, RI
4/06. The Firehouse. Worcester, MA
4/07. SPACE Gallery. Portland, ME
4/08. Bar le Ritz PDB. Montreal, QC
4/09. House of TARG. Ottawa, ON
4/10. Silver Dollar. Toronto, ON
4/11. Bug Jar. Rochester, NY
