Thursday, February 23, 2017, the pop punk band We The Kings headlined their 10th anniversary tour at the Webster Underground in Hartford Connecticut with support from CuteIsWhatWeAimFor, PlaidBrixx, Astro Lasso, and Light It Up. Having seen We the Kings perform before, I went in with a pretty good idea of how the night was going to go. With a new set list, a VIP wristband, and new bands to learn of, I am happy to report that the night was better than I could have ever imagined. If you want to see a full record of the night check out my Vlog below!
I still remember riding in my car with my mom and my sisters on our way home from school listening to “Check Yes, Juliet” for the first time. I remember looking up the song as soon as I got home. It quickly became one of my favorite songs. I remember listening to it on my way to college and I remember hearing it live for the first time when I was 18. Almost two and a half years later I heard it live again on my 21st birthday capping off what was one of the best birthdays I have ever had. After buying the tickets in December, I couldn’t help but be immensely excited for the concert to come. As the date grew closer the set list grew as CuteIsWhatWeAimFor was added to the line up along with Alternative rockers Plaid Brixx, Indie duo Astro Lasso, and upcoming pop punk band, Light It Up.
The night began with the violet haired lead singer of Light It Up singing a mix of originals and covers like 2007 classic Misery Business by Paramore. The cover did justice to the pop punk icons and immediately launched the audience from standing audience to high energy concert mob.
After a brief set change, Astro Lasso brought an Indie buzz to the punk atmosphere that blew away the audience with a new sound.
Alternative rockers Plaid Brixx then took the stage with a lead singer whose personality was pleasantly larger than life. The lead singer, Chris Duggan, floated across the stage during his set and even successfully attempted a headstand in the small space between drummer, Mark LeRose, and bassist, Cole Bradley.
CuteIsWhatAimFor took the stage next as the anticipation rose for the headliners. Lead singer Shaant Hacikyan wove in a special message for fans saying “we’re a community,” a sentiment that I always believed true.
After fantastic performances from the previous bands, the audience was pumped during the hilarious introduction for the headliner band. With ground rules like keeping clothes on for the first song, keeping phones in the air, and “what happens at We The Kings 10 stays at We The Kings 10.” Easily their most iconic single, “Check Yes, Juliet” kicked off the show as well as ended it as the audience filled the room screaming the words to everyone’s favorite song in that moment. For the second time, I have seen We the Kings and have been blown away. I look forward to the next time.
