As I entered Rose Music Hall on Sept. 13 for the Mom Jeans. concert with special guests Just Friends, Shortly and Mover Shaker, I was surprised to see just how many people had also decided to spend their nights there.
The small bar room’s scarlet-colored walls were lined with posters and neon signs. Behind the merchandise table stood a man that scarily resembled Post Malone, sporting mousy-brown pigtail braids, a fanny pack and socked feet in Birkenstock sandals. At the back corner, behind the growing crowd, was a modest stage where a band was setting up their equipment. The microphone stands, covered in string lights and paper hearts, cast a warm glow on their faces.
The first act, Mover Shaker, was a barrage of long, shaggy hair and electric guitar. The Detroit-natives performed songs from their album “Michigania” with plenty of headbanging and screaming. Their closing song, “No Backyard,” featured vocals from Shortly’s Alexandria Maniak, who stormed the stage and grabbed the microphone in a way that could have been mistaken for a wild fan. When their booming set was over, my hearing was muffled. I was grateful for the brief intermission that allowed my ears to readjust.
Next on was Shortly, a solo project of lead singer Maniak that recently expanded to include a full band. While Mover Shaker’s sound was brash and intense, Shortly’s sound was smooth with somber lyrics that cast a grey cloud over the venue. “Matthew,” Shortly’s first single, was chilling as Maniak’s soft voice sang, “He was an old friend, I saw him on the news / There were too many needles and too many eyesores / Too many people and fragile words.”
Shortly also performed songs like “Spare Time” and “Finders Keepers,” from their EP “Richmond,” which was scheduled to release the following day. Both songs featured the tender strumming of a guitar punctuated by powerful drumming that had the crowd swaying gently.
The headliner-worthy set from Just Friends was nothing short of captivating. During the concert, the band explained that they were brought together through public school music programs. Featuring vocals, guitar, bass, drums, trumpet and trombone, their sound can only be described as jazzy punk. Of the two vocalists, Sam Kless takes on a loud, yelling style while Brianda Goyos León’s voice is powerful and more contemporary.
Joined for their entire set by Mom Jeans. members Eric Butler, on trombone, and Bart Starr, on guitar, Just Friends performed crowd-favorites “Welcome Mats,” “Never Gonna Bring You Down” and “Keep Up,” as well as punk cover of BROCKHAMPTON’s “GOLD.”
Hyped up by the previous act, the audience was buzzing by the time Mom Jeans. took the stage.
Despite not receiving the same level of attention as mainstream artists, the band has built up a following that is passionate about their music. Throughout the set, heads were bobbing, bodies were shaking and mouths were singing along. The crowd even broke into a mosh pit, thrashing into each other.
With songs, like “Near Death Fail Comp (Must Watch Til End),” “You Can’t Eat Cats, Kevin” and “Season 9, Ep. 2-3,” from their newest album, “Puppy Love,” the band shared oddly-personal and truthful lyrics that their audience was able to relate to. During the high-energy finale, members of Just Friends were brought on stage to croon along.
After being called back for an encore, Butler took the stage on his own with a guitar, saying that all the other members were “too sweaty to perform.” In the night’s most intimate moment, he performed a paired-back version of song “Now This Is Podracing.” His heartfelt singing of lyrics “Will you promise to love me more than you might hate me?” echoed through the entire venue.
The incredible bond between all four music acts was what ultimately made this concert a meaningful experience. In addition to supporting each other on stage, Mover Shaker, Shortly, Just Friends and Mom Jeans. could be seen cheering from the sidelines throughout the night. At one point in the Mom Jeans. set, a comedic Kless could be seen enthusiastically waving around a broom he found.
Despite going into the concert having listened to only a few songs from Mom Jeans. and not knowing anything about the musical guests, I left the show feeling incredibly satisfied and anxious to hear more from each of them. It was a great opportunity for me to discover new music. I highly recommend attending a concert for an unfamiliar artist at least once, you might end up really enjoying yourself.
_Edited by Siena DeBolt | sdebolt@themaneater.com_