I went to University of Connecticut's, "Uconn-aroo" today and it was probably one of the coldest concert experiences of my life. I went expressly to see Bayside, and the freezing wait was worth it.
Having just interviewed Nick Ghanbarian, I was fired up to see the guys perform.
With a rough estimate of under 500 kids there, it was beyond intimate. It was my very first time seeing Bayside, and the whole crowd was singing along. Plus, you could tell it was a crowd of true fans because not one person commented negatively or were distracted in the slightest. When the time came they stepped right up, this was what the entire day was about.
Besides the fantastic crowd vibe, the band was flawless. I'd always known they were good live through word of mouth and YouTube videos, but in real life, it's like listening to the actual album with visuals. They were impeccable and for a while I expected them to be lip-synching, until the singer would let the crowd respond, or the volume of his voice would change a bit. I was thoroughly impressed with the stage presence and quality of sound. The band didn't seem arrogant, and it didn't seem like they were putting any less effort into this show than their others. They could've totally not played, or said there isn't enough people and it's a college it's no big deal. They treated this show like a valid one in a regular venue. It was fun and they put on a great show.
They perfectly played through tunes like "Devotion and Desire" and "Sick, Sick, Sick". The jumping crowd was so excited and the set ended all to quickly. My favourite part of the entire set was when they did a cover of Weezer's "My Name Is Jonas". It was entertaining and totally unexpected. Everyone instantly knew the tune and sang along, even if they weren't before. Each person had a huge smile on their face due to the random goofy cover.
This was a concert experience that I won't ever be able to have again. The intimate, cold, incredible, and one of a kind opportunity I had today was one I won't ever forget.
Uconn-aroo was a night to remember, and Bayside is definitely on my list of best bands live. If they're coming to your area, don't miss it. They're a band that will be around for much longer and deserve to be.