Start It Up: Dry Reef kicks off Big Spring Tour at Boot & Saddle
Dry Reef, copyright Dylan Eddinger Photography
Last night, Philly natives Dry Reef played to a packed Boot & Saddle to kick off their Big Spring Tour. With roots in reggae and indie-surf rock, Dry Reef has become one of my favorite bands to see live. They’re so full of energy and this sort of magnetic precision when they play that fills the whole room with a palpable sense of ease and excitement.
Dry Reef, copyright Dylan Eddinger Photography
Having released their first full LP last fall, Daychange, with Free Dive Records in Philadelphia, Dry Reef has been playing shows pretty consistently for much of last year, and there’s no end in sight yet as they’ve just booked a spring tour dates that will take them out west for the warm weather. Philly really loves Dry Reef, though, and we’ll wait impatiently until May 10th when they play MilkBoy.
Dry Reef, copyright Dylan Eddinger Photography
The setlist was absolutely on fire last night, including a swelling intro based around “Another Day,” which then led into “Swim” off of 2018’s EP Alright Revival. They played every hit they had, and there wasn’t a still body in the room during “Start It Up,” “Harmony,” “Lightwaves,” “Come Away,” and “Checkpoints.” What I love about Dry Reef is the way lead singer Patrick Gillen’s voice has this really cool rasp that makes their sound pretty inimitable. Almost all of these songs would play on repeat in my car last summer, and having seen them last night makes me so excited for their season. Dry Reef is a surfy summer band for sure, and I felt warm and nostalgic last night.
I always find myself zeroing in on lead guitarist Collin O’Donnell during “New Soul,” because honestly wow. This guy is the most focused person I’ve ever watched on a stage, and his drive is incomparable. His ability to play these incredibly intricate and bright riffs - and they’re all fast - without missing a beat is so impressive to me. He’s an unassuming talent and a huge part of a live Dry Reef experience.
Dry Reef is so much fun, and I’m stoked for their spring tour. These guys are on their way, but Philly will always be home, and last night, Boot & Saddle made that very obvious.
Dry Reef will play West Chester’s Sprout Music Collective on April 13th and Milkboy on May 10th. Don’t miss them!