It isn’t every day you stumble into the revival and return of a band that you have never heard of before. But when Spitalfield, a punk rock band from Chicago, hit the Warehouse Stage after Spin Doctors that was exactly what I got.
The pop-punk verging on emo group, who would easily sound at home alongside bands like Jimmy Eat World, opened their set with a song that sounded like something that belonged on my middle school soundtrack.
It was only later I would find out that “Kill the Drama” sounded like the early 2000’s because it was, in fact, released in 2003.
Despite being unfamiliar to me, the catchy refrain ensured that by the end of the song I found myself singing along.
Overall, the set, for better or worse, delivered on the promises of early 2000’s pop-punk. The energy was high. The lyrics were angsty. And the concepts were well tread. Outside of a Chicago, by way of Winnetka flavor, the group has little to differentiate it from the other nostalgia acts of the era, and no unique approach or message to carry it into relevance.
That isn’t to say we didn’t have a blast. Despite Spitalfield clearly not being on the same level as era stalwarts like Sum 41, Yellowcard, or All Time Low, the group was comfortable with what they are. A group of guys just having fun and enjoying the, likely brief, moment of their 20th anniversary tour.
The laid-back nature of the set combined with the familiar patterns turned the set into a nostalgic sing-along. As someone who loves to sing along, I really appreciate this!
A Story told by Spitalfield
In between songs, the group spent time significant time reintroducing themselves to a music scene that had left them behind since their last release in 2007. Overall, their approach was to be as open as possible. Reveling in the highs, the lows, and the oddities of their music career.
One of the story times included the members talking about the first record they got. Personally, I related as one member explained how he had to black out the explicit sticker on his! Although I personally have not felt the need to do this, I know people who have.
Beyond just sharing stories the group also made sure to do some shout-outs! These shout-outs included their family and friends! They also made a mention of Spin Doctor who rocked the stage before them.
Personally, my favorite song of the set was “I loved the way she said LA.” It was not only a catchy song, but it also felt very relatable to me. It was a song about a woman who leaves home to go off to Los Angeles. Having been that woman traveling a long way from home to find my journey I found the lyrics of this song very clever. Though in my case it was Scotland, not Los Angeles.
If you are looking to dive down memory lane with Spitalfield, the group is currently crisscrossing the Midwest on their 20th anniversary tour. Stops include Riot Fest in Chicago, IL and Is For Lovers in Council Bluffs, IA.
I cannot relate to this new style of writing. I don’t know bands and this is just informative mostly. I enjoy your casual approach and humor more 😉 But, don’t mind me I am an old women…hahaha! Keep on keeping on Betsy and I will keep reading!
Nice to hear how much you enjoy life!
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