On Saturday July 8th, ONCE delivered a stacked bill to a full house with Shepherdess, Spowder and Screaming Females.
Local band Shepherdess kicked off the show and kept heads bopping from start to finish. As the stage was set for Spowder, the supremely A+ playlist paired with the comforting energy of ONCE made for an enjoyable wait and Spowder was for sure worth the wait. Spowder executed one of the most memorable sets I’ve seen so far this year. They have an explosive energy that was truly astonishing to witness. Spowder careened through their set; the only moments of calm experienced when the band’s singer, Declan McCleary, dispatched heartfelt ‘Thank Yous’ in-between tracks. Once Spowder’s set came to a close and that A+ playlist resumed, the crowd gathered into a tighter clump in preparation for Screaming Females.
The New Brunswick 3 piece was met with mounds of applause as they picked up their instruments and launched into the first song ‘Black Moon.’ I’ve listened to ‘Black Moon’ on a loop because it’s a true banger and y’all…I got a bit teary-eyed hearing this song live in the packed ballroom! The set itself was masterfully curated; pulling tracks from their most recent release All At Once as well as ~oldies but goodies~ from Rose Mountain, Ugly and Castle Talk. At one point, the most contained mosh pit I’ve ever seen formed in the middle of the ballroom. The formation happened in such a low-key manner that it took awhile for me to register why audience members were turning their gaze to the middle of the venue. Amongst the flailing limbs and mosh-curious bystanders, you’d find myself and a number of others watching the show with our mouths agape as Marissa Paternoster’s fingers sprinted up and down her guitar’s fretboard. Hands down the best thing about these gigs are the extended instrumental sections; Jarrett Dougherty(Drums) & King Mike(Bass) hold down the rhythm while Marissa shreds into the next dimension. The show closed with ‘Ripe’ from Rose Mountain and once the song ended, folks tucked the night’s dynamism into their back pocket; a lively spirit they’ll call upon to get them through shorter days and colder weather.
Despite a break-in earlier this summer and a hiatus on the way, ONCE has continued to provide A+ programming and a relaxing environment for the concert-going community. Thank you ONCE Ballroom for an unforgettable gig and I look forward to what the future holds for you.💖