Bands featured: Last of the Wildmen | Tiger Waves | Far Away Strays

These are all bands that have been plugged on here a bunch, so I’m going to spend less time on the music and more time on the atmosphere of the evening!

Far Away Strays opened the show, playing a satisfying set of songs from their Rivers Will Rise release along with the forthcoming single “The Heart is a Howler.” The band undeniably leans toward the rock side, and put on a performance that far overshadowed the illness plaguing the band. It was neat to see their growth from last time we saw them, in October 2012.

Tiger Waves played a dreamy set, opening with my personal favorite “I Hope You’ll Feel Alright.” Singles “Countryside,” “Fields,” and “Weekends” were also highlights. Everyone present seemed to dig the set, although frankly I was too into the music and excited at the fact that they finally made to Columbus to really notice how people around me were reacting! Frontman Reid Comstock has somewhat of a shy-guy persona onstage, and his bandmates reflected that humility appropriately.

Last of the Wildmen, like Far Away Strays, have grown in their ability to perform. This time I kept thinking to myself how professional and seasoned they sounded, and how unjust it would be if they didn’t become known. We also saw the band invent a new genre onstage – one that I’ve affectionately dubbed “folkcore.” Actually, I made that up as I was writing this, but it was amusing to see the band transition to Americana-rock n’roll to hardcore vocals, nonetheless led by the usually mild-mannered Jimmie Getty. Drummer Kyle Kirchenbauer was fantastic as well, but it would be untrue not to note that everyone was at the top of their game.

Photography courtesy of James Cline Studios and Benjamin Taylor. All rights reserved. Please do not use without explicit permission from I AM TUNED UP.

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