Live Review: Bleachers at The Riviera Theatre

"Right from the start I knew, you put a fire in me." 

     – “Wake Me,” Bleachers

When I say Bleachers put on one hell of a show, I honestly mean it. You could feel the energy in the crowd begin to boil as Annie's “Tomorrow” came on, welcoming them on stage. The crowd was ready, and so was Bleachers. They played every song like it was their last, infusing each one with enthusiasm and intensity. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, they went bigger, better, and harder than ever before, ending each song with a drum and/or guitar solo that would normally mark the end of their final song.

The lead singer, Jack Antonoff of Steel Train and Fun., although not new to the music scene, was the epitome of humble. Exasperated by the fact that it was a sold out show, he couldn't stop thanking Chicago for being with the band since the beginning. Acting similarly to Eddie Redmayne during his Oscars acceptance speech for “Best Actor”, too elated for words, he giggled in-between lyrics, and you could tell he was having the time of his life doing what he loves. Equipped with a sleeveless cut-off button-down, he acknowledged all parts of the theater, going from stage left and right, and even pointing toward the balcony, challenging each section to out-scream, jump, and clap the other.

Bleachers had a mind-blowing stage presence that kept the audience interested and on their toes from beginning to end; we never knew what was coming next. They kept the audience amazed and on their toes, from releasing balloons, to introducing the band members and having each perform spectacular drum, bass, and even saxophone solos, revealing how musically talented they all are in one of my favorite songs, “You’re Still A Mystery”. They even had an exploding confetti cannon during their final song, the ever so popular summer anthem, "I Wanna Get Better". I must say once and for all that Bleachers is one of the most engaging and talented bands I have ever seen live, and for that I thank them. 

Experience the magic yourself:
April 3 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
April 4 – Indianapolis, IN @ March Madness Music Festival
April 5 – Buffalo, NY @ The Town Ballroom
April 7 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
April 9 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
April 18 – Phoenix, AZ @ Chipotle Cultivate Festival
May 2 – Memphis, TN @ Beale Street Music Festival
May 8 – Las Vegas, NV @ Rock in Rio USA
May 30 – Columbia, MD @ Sweetlife Festival                   
May 31 – Richmond, VA @ The National               
Jun 02 – Council Bluffs, IA @ No Coast Music Festival      
Jun 03 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly's        
Jun 05 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bunbury Music Festival
Jun 07 – Indianapolis, IN @ Alt1033's Alt-imate Birthday                 
Jun 09 – Charlotte, NC @ LABEL            
Jun 10 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm               
Jun 11 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel                       
Jun 13 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo                  
Jun 21 – Scranton, PA @ FuzzFest 2015              
Jul 16 – Pemberton, Canada @ Pemberton Music Festival              
Jul 18 – Colwood, Canada @ Rock The Shores                  
Jul 22 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Pacific Amphitheatre  

Click here to snag tickets to a Bleachers show near you.