Images: Title Fight, Joyce Manor, Waxahatchee, Hop Along April 17, 2014 at the Ukrainian Cultural Center (Los Angeles)

Going to a new venue is always exciting, but also a little nerve racking for me. Questions race through my mind like “Where should I stand to get the best shots?” and “since I don’t see security I wonder how many insane stage dives/kicks to the back of the head I will receive by the end of the night.” But as I entered the Ukrainian Culture Center in Los Angeles all of my previous questions diminished by the scent of $4 chicken fingers, creating an even bigger question: “why the heck don’t we have venues like this is Las Vegas?!?”

Although the fingers sounded appetizing I forced myself past them in order to find the best spot to both shoot and watch the bands. Since Title Fight is strictly against barriers at shows I knew I wouldn’t have the comfort of a photo pit so I needed to find a place with good views and less danger. I saw an empty spot against the theatre-like stage and headed down the room that was about as long as Vinyl at the Hard Rock is wide. I secured a spot right next to the speakers, and checked my phone to see a tweet from Title Fight “LA tonight @ the Ukrainian Center w/ @HopAlongtheband @Waxahatchee and ??. 7 PM doors. Sold out!”

My anticipation grew at the “??” and considering Scranton-based emo group Tigers Jaw had retweeted it, they were the favorite for filling the mystery spot. My vantage point from up near the stage put me at eye level with the band start times and like a little kid at Christmas peeling back the wrapping paper a few days in advance I used my camera to peep that the mystery band was none other than Joyce Manor! Whispers began traveling around, but suddenly died down as Hop Along took stage and drew all attention towards the indie rock band.

Ever since its release in May of 2012 on Hot Green Records, I’ve seen the cover art to Get Disowned by Philadelphia’s Hop Along floating around online. Unfortunately I never took the time to check them out, and it became clear early into the set that I had made a huge mistake. Frontwoman Frances Quinlan’s voice is uniquely quirky and sweet and absolutely radiated through the room as she hit all the notes on songs such as “Tibetan Pop Stars” and “Get Disowned.” As the set continued on, more and more heads bobbed along, hopefully gaining several new fans like myself.

Title Fight’s fellow Coachella 2014 players Waxahatchee were to take the stage next, and the whispers grew, even as they were on stage, which became a nuisance to frontwoman Katie Crutchfield and the rest of her band. While their blend of poppy, fuzzy, lo fi indie rock with confessional lyrics and often times sparse instrumentation sounds good on record, the band seemed to carry very little effort through as they played this night, quickly losing the interest in a crowd eager to get rowdy with Title FIght. Crutchfield seemed understandably frustrated as the crowd continued to converse through opening track “Grass Stain,” along with “Waiting,” “Lips and Limbs,” and continuing all the way to the end, with closing track “Be Good.” The band thanked the audience and teased for the special guest which caused the already present whispers to break into full blown conversation across the entire center.

Touché Amoré’s drum set was set up causing a collective feeling of uncertainty throughout the room, which would dissipate as Joyce Manor frontman Barry Johnson and company took stage. Suddenly the room was filled with excitement, and encouraging cheers. There were several moments that I had to look up to see if Barry was in fact singing because the crowd overpowered him in songs such as “Constant Headache,” “Constant Nothing” and “Beach Community.” They was such a stark contrast between this and the previous set, not only in terms of music, but in energy. The entire band seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, with smiles plastered to their faces, and with incredible stage appearance and crowd interaction. As the last notes vibrated through the room, Joyce Manor quickly swooped up their pedals and gear, and were gone without a word, leaving the room in a silence, and almost a shock. Conversation quickly grew again, and so did the heat while Title Fight set up.

The room burst with energy the moment Floral Green’s opening track “Numb, But I Still Feel It” hit the crowd’s ears, causing a wave of stage dives to hit the necks of anyone within six feet of the stage. The band carried into “Be A Toy” off their latest EP Spring Songs, tracks from Floral Green such as “Leaf” and “Head In The Ceiling Fan,” and some oldies like “Symmetry” – before eventually closing with fan favorite “27.” At multiple times bassist Ned Russin took time to thank the crowd, even admitting at one point that he always feels the need to say something deep on stage because he does have such a great audience listening, but has difficulty articulating how he feels. The stacked setlist had a great variety as always, and left everyone feeling incredible.

This is the second time I’ve gone to California to see them, and I would do it again in a heartbeat, no questions asked. Title Fight consistently puts on an insane live show, with a setlist to remember, complete with a stacked bill, and even with a few surprises in there.

-Hunter Wallace | https://www.flickr.com/photos/hunter_wallace/