Bleachers

South Side Ballroom, Dallas, TX

June 5, 2024

Review and Gallery by: Grace Forrester

There are only so many artists and bands one could claim as being “once-in-a-generation”, and Bleachers definitely cemented themselves as just that on their Dallas stop of the From The Studio To The Stage US 2024 Tour. Known for mega-hits such as “Rollercoaster” and “Don’t Take The Money”, Bleachers played an incredible mix of old and new, showing off many new songs from their latest self-titled release Bleachers . Along with support from the band Samia, the night was nothing short of electric from start to finish.

With indie music of every kind being a personal favorite, Samia perfectly scratches the itch. Lead vocalist Samia Finnerty’s voice is soft as she pours her heart out over the highs and lows of love and loss. Tackling difficult times in her life on songs like “Honey” and “Kill Her Freak Out”, while also dancing around and showing a carefree and bubbly persona in their opening song “Pool”. Samia’s set was the perfect opening to a band like the Bleachers, ending with the beautifully haunting tune “Is There Something In The Movies?”, a tribute to the late actress Brittany Murphy.

As the lights dimmed across the almost sold-out ballroom, the crowd’s energy felt infectious almost instantly. The dedicated fans on the barricade waited with baited breath as frontman Jack Antonoff, illuminated by a single striking stage light, opened the night with “I Am Right on Time”. Throughout the show the lighting as a whole felt cinematic at times, along with the set design of checkered floors on the stage and the hanging recording sign that would switch on and off, it was easy to see the production overall was well crafted and cared for.

Although Antonoff is proudly a New Jersey native, his love and appreciation for Dallas was on full display, thanking the crowd on multiple occasions for their attendance despite the severe storms plaguing the city that week and speaking about the love they’ve received over past tours throughout the years. Their speech before their hit “Rollercoaster” was awe inspiring, speaking on anxiety and the drive to create, making sure to tell us how things do get better despite the circumstances you may be in. As the night came to an end, Bleachers performed two of their biggest songs, “I Wanna Get Better” and ”Don’t Take The Money”. Leaving the stage in true Bleachers fashion, the band played “Stop Making This Hurt” walking up and down the multiple steps and stairs on the stage. 

Select dates for the tour and overseas dates are still available, which you can find here! You can also support Bleachers by streaming their newest album on all streaming platforms.