Shadow of the City Returns for Another Exhilarating Year!
Shadow of the City has long been a staple in the New Jersey music scene, curated by singer-songwriter and producer Jack Antonoff, who also serves as the frontman for the annual headliner Bleachers. The event, which was also part of the Prudential North to Shore Festival, showcased another dynamic lineup of both established and up and coming talent while also featuring a notably electrifying performance from Bleachers themselves.
This year’s roster of talent included singer-songwriter Cassandra Coleman (who just recently collaborated with Antonoff on her latest single “Coming of Age”) and indie folk artist Ben Kweller, who delivered an especially energizing and emotional set, an exciting bonus was the inclusion of Superbad actor Christopher Mintz-Plasseon on guitar! Rounding out the lineup was alternative pop artist Dora Jar who, despite having their set cut short by technical difficulties, still managed to deliver an exhilarating and joyous set that won the audience over and demonstrated her captivating stage presence in the process. Aside from Bleachers, the biggest attraction here was the inclusion of west coast emo band Joyce Manor, whose set was a vibrant reminder of their enduring appeal and featured many fan favorite songs such as “Constant Headache”. Their set was a consistently exciting from start to finish, and a more than solid showcase as to why they continue to be a reliable act for any bill they’re featured on!
Finally it came time for Bleachers to perform, after an extended break this past year and a half, the band was more than ready to hit the stage and let it all out. Thankfully their collective energy more than delivered, and Antonoff was in especially strong form throughout as he dominated the stage with his trademark sincere energy. At this point in their careers, the band has truly honed in on their sound and stage show, and the result was a purely captivating set, with the momentum riding high from start to finish! After a year of touring their latest self-titled record, one couldn’t blame Bleachers for taking a break, however it seems the time in between allowed them to emerge even stronger as a band, and this year’s performance resonated tremendously well with their dedicated fanbase, and served as yet another satisfying display of their vibrant talent.
With another Shadow of the City in the books, Bleachers once again proved to be one of the most accomplished live bands working today. This event continues to be one of the most accessible and engaging showcases of rising and established talent that New Jersey has to offer! Be sure to follow both Bleachers for more announcements and updates regarding future shows!
