CONCERT REVIEW: Plain White T’s and Lucky Boys Confusion bring sweet sound from the windy city
The music scene in Logan seems to be on a steady incline, attracting such bands as Limbeck and Switchfoot. Lucky Boys Confusion is the newest name to add to the list.
The band performed with local group Hasenpfeffer and the Bombdiggity, California-based Army of Freshman and Chicago’s own Plain White T’s on Wednesday, at the Cache Valley Fun Park. I went to the show not really being a fan of the pop/punk music genre, although I had heard Lucky Boys Confusion’s “Hey Driver” and enjoyed it.
When I arrived at the Fun Park, the place was filled with close to 300 people and the opening band, local Hasenpfeffer and the Bombdiggity had already begun their set.
It’s so great to see a local band with so much potential. Although I am not a funk music enthusiast, I do enjoy a band with that much energy and showmanship. They were the epitome of an opening band. They kept their set short, sweet and simple. Their combination of funk and rock and roll and the lead man’s stage ease created an energetic beginning to the evening. I especially enjoyed the incorporation of a peach coloredd, circa 1970s ruffled button-up.
In contrast to the funk/rock of Hasenpfeffer and the Bombdiggity, was the synth-pop/punk band, Army of Freshman. The best way to describe them is if 1980s new-wave band Flock of Seagulls and New Found Glory were to have a musical love child, they would be it. The crowd enjoyed it, bouncing and singing along to the songs. There was even an all-out mosh pit battle incited by lead singer, Chris Jay. So those concert goers with an aversion to stranger-wrestling and the use of profanity, may want to stay home. The lead singer had a definite charisma about him and wonderful interaction with the audience – asking for sing-alongs and wearing audience members’ hats.
The energy was carried onto the next band, Plain White T’s. They kept the audience’s energy high and provided a great source of entertainment. Tom Higgenson, lead singer for Plain White T’s, was energetic and captivating. There was something about his performance that made it impossible not to watch him.
Next on the set list was headlining band from Chicago, Lucky Boys Confusion. Unlike the previous bands, there was a formality and mechanical-like quality to this performance. I felt like I was at Disneyland’s Hall of Presidents rather than a rock show. But this assembly-line performance did not seem to deter fans, who danced and sang along for the hour long set.
The highlight of the evening was after the Lucky Boys Confusion set when Tom Higgenson and Mike Retondo of Plain White T’s performed and impromptu acoustic set. The audience of 100 sat cross-legged on the floor as Mike and Tom took requests. The energy was definitely different, but by no means boring.
From the beginning of the evening until the very end, the audience and bands all seemed to enjoy themselves. And, although, I went for Lucky Boys Confusion, I left a Plain White T’s fan.
Meagan Rockne is a music critic at the Utah Statesman. Comments can be sent to her at meagkrock@cc.usu.edu.