Modern Colour @ The Radio 104.5 Block Party at Festival Pier.
Text and images by Brianna Spause.
The first time he heard Modern Colour‘s name on the radio, it gave drummer, Tom Weir goosebumps.
Radio 104.5 has shown some love to the independent rock outfit recently, but it doesn’t end at the on-air shout outs.
When Modern Colour opened the first of the free 2016 Summer Block Party events last week at Festival Pier, it was hands down their biggest show yet.
And despite the chill of a wintry rain that beat down on dancing umbrellas and soaked ponchos throughout the crowd, the audience ate it up.
The band hit the stage with high energy, opening the set with “Try,” the single off of their latest self-titled LP.
Frontman Stephan Sirochman and guitarist Nate Ridgeway said they carefully crafted the 6-song set to “ride like a roller coaster,” incorporating their bluesy rock vibes in with songs sure to get the crowd dancing.
It was almost a public service. They had to keep everyone warm somehow, right?
The full set included “Can’t Hide,” “Mercury,” “Ridge,” “Slippin'” and “‘Till I Get My Way.”
Following their set, Ridgeway and Sirochman tossed their flannel shirts into a sea of screaming young girls. Weir followed shortly after, dancing up barefoot to toss his drum sticks into the crowd while bassist Chris Boyle just shook his head admiringly.
“I’ve never felt like I had that much power,” Weir said. “I raised my hands and the crowd came with me.”
Citing the audience’s energy and overall reception of the show, Weir said, “It was fucking awesome.”
As the Block Party wore on, the rain ceased and the crowd swelled. Aside from raising an energy that would excite the crowd for the long day of music ahead, the guys in Modern Colour played an important role in being the only band on the bill to represent Philadelphia. Kaleo, Run River North, X Ambassadors and Nothing But Thieves filled out the lineup.
Miss Modern Colour’s performance? You can catch them doing their thing on Thursday at Voltage Lounge.
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 
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