Photos & words by Samantha Blyn
Currently on tour in support of their seventh album, I Used To Go To This Bar, Joyce Manor brought their show to the Fillmore in Philadelphia on March 22. It was, in the best way possible, exactly what you might expect: nonstop crowdsurfing, multiple mosh pits, and faithful singing along to every song. The set opened with the first track off of I Used To Go To This Bar, “I Know Where Mark Chen Lives.” The crowd (and myself from the photo pit) lit up as the band launched into what would be a high-energy, 25-song performance.
Before Joyce Manor took the stage, they were preceded by three other bands, who perfectly warmed up the room: Combat, who started off the night with their self-described “indie-punk”, Teen Mortgage, the politically-minded, in-your-face punk rock duo, and Militarie Gun, whose alt-rock leaned a bit more post-punk.
When many songs are less than three minutes and entire albums rarely surpass 20, it’s easy to craft a setlist that pleases the entire audience. With a mix of older hits and newer songs, Joyce Manor kept the crowd engaged and loving it all night, while still highlighting the new album. Two back-to-back shout-alongs from two different eras of the band came in the middle of the set: “Well, Don’t It Seem Like You’ve Been Here Before?” and “Christmas Card”. Hearing these two side by side highlighted how the band has evolved over their career, but still produce the melodic punk rock that has become somewhat of a signature.
I had to remind myself at times to focus and take pictures, but “fan brain” and “photographer brain” were fighting each other at this show. This was my first time seeing Joyce Manor, and I couldn’t wait for the song that made me a fan many years ago, “Constant Headache”. The crowd lost it at the opening notes, and the band fed off that energy for the duration. A fan in the front row held up a sign saying “PLAY THE JERK,” a request the band honored after about 30 seconds of regrouping. The show wrapped up with “Five Beer Plan,” inspiring a mosh pit that made it look like the night was only getting started.
Joyce Manor is touring the US through this summer, and hits the UK in the fall. Get tickets here: https://joyce-manor.com/tour
Check out Joyce Manor here!
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