#kalimur

The evening opens with local Connecticut singer-songwriter, Sarah Barrios.  For being a solo artist, it must not be easy to go up on stage alone, but, by the way Barrios performs she’s a natural. Her confidence shines while she sings her own original songs as well as covers. 

She begins to play her original song, “Your Name in a Song”. People in the audience start connecting with the lyrics; “You cheated, you lied/ You told me you loved me but you had a girl on the side”. 

Her cover of Elle King’s “Ex’s & Oh’s” is what really stands out to me, though. The way her jazzy voice flows with the acoustic guitar makes the song her own. There’s no doubt in my mind that she has a bright future in the music industry ahead of her.

Soon after Barrios, Kalimur, a CT-based alternative rock band, greet the audience. It's surprising to see a band so friendly, it’s like I’ve known them for years. As soon as Kalimur begins to play everyone starts swaying along to their music. 

Once they begin playing “Empty Hands,” they gain my full attention. Brett Steinberg sings “You told me that you want to stay/But I turn my head and you walk away,”. The lyrics are so emotional and heartfelt, by the end of the song, I know Kalimur has so much potential to be incredibly successful.

Me Like Bees performance has me in awe. Their energy pulsates throughout the venue and everyone is definitely feeling it, singing along while the band plays “The Ides.” (even those who don’t know the lyrics!) but it’s clear that everyone’s having a good time. 

They hardly ever stop between songs, which is great at times but it starts to get hard to tell when the song changes. It isn’t until the third song, “Tundraland,” I start to fully appreciate the band’s music. Lead singer, Luke Sheafer, stuns me with the way his smooth vocals flows on top of the band’s bouncy rhythm.  The only thing that disappoints me is that the set ends too soon and leaves wanting to hear more. 

Listening to everyone around me, it’s clear that there aren’t many Hundred Handed fans in the audience, myself included, but as soon as I hear the lead vocalist, Jordan McGraw, sing “Leave It Behind,” I fall in love with the band’s music. They create music for people to have a good time, not one song of theirs will leave you feeling down. 

Throughout Hundred Handed’s set, they engage with the crowd by bringing up fans on stage for “Vibe” and make the show feel like one giant party from “Leave It Behind” to “Vibe”.  

During my pre-teen years, I adored Never Shout Never but I hardly listen to them anymore. It’s not that they’re not musically talented, but a band not interacting with the audience doesn’t impress me. During their set, they make it clear they didn’t come prepared by Christofer Drew stating “Sorry, I just woke up from a stony nap” and that they are “Winging it,”. At one point I even hear an audience member say “ It’s like watching a band practice”.

While they lack stage etiquette, musically they’re great. Drew comments on how he usually speeds up the tempo for “Can’t Stand It”  to rush through it but tonight, he decides to play the majority of the song at a normal speed, which is shocking and exciting for fans in the crowd.  By the time Never Shout Never started to play “Black Cat,” the band becomes a little more lively, and the crowd definitely notices.

I entered the night only knowing Never Shout Never and I left craving for the four openers to headline their own tours.

Written by: Alyssa Mount-Bycholski 

Get Connected:

Sarah Barrios:  Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Website

Kalimur:  Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Website

Me Like Bees: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Website

Hundred Handed: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Website