For anyone who knows me, you’re well aware that I have a mild obsession with all things Anthony Green. Remember when Dylan and I took pictures at Union Transfer’s Pixie Queen show? That was the highlight of my fall semester, and when I mentioned Anthony’s parting message of “See you for Circa Survive 2017,” he meant it.

On Letting Go, the band’s sophomore album, turns ten this year. To celebrate, Circa announced a tour and I honestly stopped breathing when I heard the news. Just as they did with Juturna, their debut album, they promised to play the album in its entirety, along with some B-sides and original versions of the songs. We had to go. Unfortunately, we were unable to score a photo pass this time around, but that didn’t matter. It was easily one of the best shows I’ve seen. This time, Circa was joined by Philadelphia’s own MeWithoutYou and Turnover, two bands that complimented Circa’s sound so nicely.

I was lucky enough to be a part of the VIP experience before the concert, which meant I was promised some awesome merch, a three-song acoustic set, and a Q&A session. Shoutout to a very cool boyfriend for surprising me with that. I stood in awe as they played beautifully slowed-down versions of “Frozen Creek,” “Descensus,” and a new song that will hopefully appear on LP 6, coming this year. Anthony’s voice is always impressive, but when he sings just to sing, his vocals are relaxed and melodic and simple. For the twenty minutes I got to spend with the band, that’s how the atmosphere felt — calm.

But once the Fillmore’s stage was really set, we got a whole new persona of Anthony Green. He is wild, enigmatic, and ecstatic when Circa Survive plays. That's what I love about him - he is such a multi-faceted artist. There were so many moments when he would stop singing and let us fill in the lyrics for him, and I could see on his face that he was just as in awe of all of us, who are still so in love with this album a decade later, as we are of him for just being himself.

On Letting Go features my favorite album artwork, and to pay tribute to Esao Andrews’ incredible work, the stage was framed with two huge balloons that projected different variations of the band’s safe camp logo and other vividly weird images to match the songs. It was a very impressive setup, as always.

Photo Courtesy of @alexandraelisabettaphoto

The best feeling in the world is feeling chills run down your back as you hear the opening lines of your favorite song, and when “Living Together,” the first track on OLG began as the band took the stage, I felt emotional in a way that I haven't felt about live music in a little while. This album resonates with me in so many different ways, and I wish more than anything that I could relive this show.

Circa Survive’s On Letting Go 10 Year Anniversary Tour is far from over, so if you’re lucky enough to grab some tickets, I highly encourage you to go. They perform in a way that is so exciting and emotional and pure, and they will give 110% to every venue.

One of the most important things that the band said during our Q&A session was this: “Music is life,” and that showed throughout their entire performance. I am so happy to have seen the beginning of this tour.

For more from Circa Survive, follow them on Instagram to see pictures from the tour, and follow us for more photos from previous and upcoming shows!

Circa Survive: "On Letting Go" Turns 10

PHILLY LIVE

Powered by Squarespace