There are very few bands that fall into this category for me - but Lydia has been the soundtrack to all of the best parts of my life since I was like fifteen. Everything about them just makes me feel good, and I'm really grateful for their ability to do that. I was a little nervous to go to a show in Fishtown by myself, but the second the lights dimmed and the ominous vocals to "Hospital" filled the room, everything disappeared. I wasn't there alone anymore. I was surrounded by a niche of people who also shared this love for a tiny band from Arizona that I thought no one had even heard of. A part of their magic was the fact that, when I first discovered them, I felt like I was the only one who had a claim on them, and I almost liked that none of my friends knew their work. But after tonight, after that feeling of unification with the crowd, of knowing that everyone else had initially thought the same thing, I know that it feels better to share something like this. Lydia is special to me in a way few bands are, and I'll never forget why.

Even though Lydia is currently on tour to celebrate their newest LP, Liquor, the setlist was filled with old favorites. They knew what we wanted, and when I thought nothing could top Paint It Golden in 2011, they released Run Wild in 2016 and I fell in love all over again. I wanted to hear these songs. They filled the stage with epic renditions of "When It Gets Dark Out," "Georgia," "Riverman" and "Past Life." These songs were released during my sophomore year of college, which honestly feels like a decade ago even though it's only been two short years, and I remember exactly what I was doing when I spun that record for the first time. It was the soundtrack to one of the most exciting seasons of my life. Dylan and I were lucky enough to cover the show they played at World Cafe Live following that release, and I sat down with singer Leighton Antelman to talk about it. I had too many things to say to him, but I wasn't about to waste the opportunity to learn about what inspired the songs that meant so much to me.

Also on the setlist were the most iconic tracks from Illuminate, one of their earlier releases. They opened with "Hospital," which was a total surprise. They also featured "A Fine Evening for a Rogue," and "This Is Twice Now," the final song of the night. All that was missing was Mindy White.

I guess I should talk about Liquor, which I haven't meant to exclude. I'm really, really loving this album. I was initially hesitant because I didn't want to move on from Run Wild, but the vibe of this new release is so different and heavy and synthetic and blends into their extensive catalog so well. "Sunlight," "Goodside," "Let It Cover Me Up," and "Way Out" were pulled from the track list, and you could tell just how excited the band was to share these songs with us live.

Throughout the whole set, you could see how happy the band was to be back onstage and to give us a taste of their new era of music. They're consistently appreciative of the crowd for just listening and knowing their music, but the look on their faces every time Leighton turned the mic towards the audience and let us fill in a verse was so heartwarming. I can't imagine how that feels. It's got to be the ultimate high, and I was more than happy to be a part of it.

A big part of me is really happy that I got to see this show by myself, because in a way it still reaffirms that this is something for me alone. Lydia has grown and changed with me, and I didn't really share them with anyone else. They were my own comfort and happiness and relief when I needed them, and they'll probably never know how much that means to me.

If you have the chance to see this tour, please do. Even if you don't know their music well, you should experience them. I hope they do for you what they do for me, because they're just one of those bands. You'll understand.

Lydia plays The Foundry and reminds me why they're the soundtrack to the best parts of my life

PHILLY LIVE

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