blackbear Brought the Nothing Matters Tour to DC
Date: September 7th, 2022
Venue: The Fillmore Silver Spring
Silver Spring, MD
What’s up, everyone! Derek here, a.k.a. The Photographic Ginger and I’m back again with another incredible night of music just down the road from our nation’s capital. From extreme success on Soundcloud to an international touring artist, blackbear has grown a large fan base thanks to his songwriting and producing expertise. Although he’s written hits for other big name artists, the ones he writes for and about his own life shine the brightest and ring the loudest. As is the case with his most recent album ‘in loving memory’.
Heart Attack Man
This punk rock band reigning from Ohio consist of lead singer Eric Egan, guitarist Tyler Sickles, drummer Adam Paduch, and bassit Logan McNeal and they certainly know how to kick off an evening of music. Bringing the energy with songs like “Out For Blood” off their latest album ‘Fake Blood’ which got the crowd moving. Another standout from the evening was “Cut My Losses” a song that speaks of realizing when it’s time to step away as part of an abusive relationship.
MOD SUN
This was my second time seeing Mod Sun live so I knew it was going to be a set to remember, because last time I saw him back in 2017 was in Charlotte, NC and his musical style mixed with his stage presence and genuine love of performing aren’t something you easily forget. If you’re not familiar though Derek Smith, better known as MOD SUN is actually an acronym meaning “Movement On Dreams Stand Under None”.
Songs like “Karma” and “Annoying” immediately got the crowd jumping but it was moments like the one that followed that makes MOD SUN such an incredible artist and human. He reminded us all that “we are watching live music together” again after a time in which we were uncertain he then went on to say “I am perfect just the way I am, you are perfect” leading us into “Perfectly Imperfect”.
His vulnerability through his music and on stage allows him to connect deeply with his fans as you can hear on his latest album ‘Internet Killed the Rockstar’ and more specifically “Bones”. But it’s one of his newest releases that shines the brightest with “Battle Scars” as is celebrates sobriety but also shed light to the darkness of depression and anxiety.
blackbear
As the stage was set and static visuals took over the screens and a robotic voice reminded us that “nothing matters” it was time to begin. Starting with “me & ur ghost” the crowd was immediately amplified as it was clear that his fans are true and connected to him and his message. They sang along to every word with songs such as “queen of broken hearts” and even acoustic versions of “Memory” and “Stfu”. The later of which being a song by mansionz which is a duo consisting of blackbear and close friend Mike Posner. (Still waiting on that mansionz II album by the way guys).
While the evening continued the songs got bigger and so did the crowd’s excitement with “@ my worst” and the pulsating bass in “do re mi”. But it wasn’t just new hits for the evening there were throwbacks as well with the likes of “dirty laundry” off the ‘deadroses’ album. Following that we got a melody of cover songs which included Avril Lavigne’s “Love It When You Hate Me” and Machine Gun Kelly’s “make up sex”. Then for a short interlude the entirety of “Sugar We’re Going Down” played instrumentally as the crowd sang every word.
Before the night drew to a close we took a little trip and found ourselves “sobbing in cabo” and celebrating the newest album release of ‘in loving memory’ with songs like “toxic energy” and a personal fav of mine “the idea”. Closing with “hot girl bummer” before returning for an encore with “dead inside”, “poltergeist”, “gucci linen” and “playboy shit”.
If you happened to capture any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.
