X Ambassadors’ Townie Tour Sells Out 9:30 Club
Venue: 9:30 Club
Washington, DC
Their most personal album, brings with it their best shows.
X Ambassadors
A band that’s undoubtedly crossed your speakers a time or two over the last decade, New York natives X Ambassadors are probably most known for their songs “Unsteady” and “Jungle” from the earlier parts of their music career. But their more recent albums are packed with hits that span from foot stomping stadium anthems to personal stripped back ballads that have led to them becoming multi-platinum artists.
Their latest album ‘Townie’ released on April 5th 2024, and gives up perhaps the most vulnerable and biographical songs to date from the band. Its foundation is built on their lives growing up in Ithaca, NY and moments experienced by brothers and bandmates Sam and Casey Harris.
On a Tuesday night in Washington, D.C. fans lined up for a sold out evening of music at the iconic 9:30. From the moment the lights dropped and the guys stepped on stage, the crowd roared in excitement, and the energy ramped immediately as Sam took to the mic and began to sing the chorus of “Renegades” acapella.
As the crowd immediately joined in singing and clapping along. All before kicking off the song in its entirety with the band’s accompaniment.
Shortly after, Sam told a short story of how he and his brother Casey (on keyboard) used to drive around their hometown and get high which inspired the song “Smoke on the Highway” which then began. As their set progressed, the energy continued to rise as “Hey Child” lit up the room and had everyone dancing, as did the following song of “Adrenaline”.
The tempo then slowed down as they played a newer song and one dedicated to a teacher they had when in school with the sounds of “Your Town”.
The band then left the stage as Sam stood alone with an acoustic guitar.
Reminiscing on how long the band has been coming to the DC area to perform, all before giving us a song not often performed live anymore with a true throwback from the days where their name was just Ambassadors with the song “Litost.” All creating a true attention-grabbing moment.
As the set neared a close the full band returned to the stage as they performed perhaps one of the best love songs in recent years with “Half-Life”. Following that Sam took a moment to talk about him and his brother as they sat across from each other.
Casey played keys and Sam played guitar as “Follow the Sound of my Voice” began. A song that was written by Sam for his big brother Casey and tells the personal story of experiencing a sibling lose their sight, as Casey has.
The set came to an end with the iconic sounds of “Unsteady” that lit the venue in beautiful lights and amazing vocals. All before returning for an encore featuring “Gorgeous” and “Jungle”.
New West
Opening the show was 2024’s Juno Award Breakthrough Group of the Year winners, New West.
It was immediately clear why they have been awarded this title as their stage presence and energy captured the attention of everyone in the room.
Much of their set celebrated the release of the latest album “Based On A True Story”.
They also gifted us some newer songs, with “Sped Up” having just been released a few weeks prior to this show.
This nicely complimented a performance of one of their first songs ever released and a viral sensation with “Those Eyes”.
Rowan Drake
Jumping on for his first proper tour was another Itacha native at just 19 years old, Rowan Drake. While young, his music showcases a genuine passion and vulnerability that takes his personal experiences and perspectives and packages them into songs that many will find relation to.
You can find him streaming on all music platforms and be sure to check out his new album ‘For all my eyes have seen’ when it releases on June 14th.
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.
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