Photo by: Raquel Villanueva
Four pop rock bands performed earlier this month at the Fillmore Auditorium in a concert that delighted fans.
The participating bands were Jack’s Mannequin, Head Automatica, The Audition and Get Back Loretta. Each band brought own unique energy to the stage. Get Back Loretta proved to be a good opening band, playing “When the Sky is Falling,” a noteworthy song that had a Killers-esque appeal.
The Audition took the stage and revved up the crowd with “Dance Halls Turn to Ghost Towns” and “Smoke and Mirrors” from the band’s Controversy Loves Company CD.
The band also debuted a new track and asked fans for comment at the band’s merchandise booth. However, it appeared that most people did not take up that offer out of fear of losing their spot to watch the show.
Head Automatica was up next and finally had a chance to really present itself in Denver. The first time I had seen this band was last April as an opening act for Coheed & Cambria and Avenge Sevenfold at Magness Arena.
Unfortunately, opening for acts that are considered much harder rock did not mesh with Head Automatica’s pop-rock sound, and fans of the other acts let that be known.
When an audience is unreceptive and jeering, it is difficult to see the band’s true potential as was the case with Head Automatica. The band’s next Denver show was for the KTCL radio station’s annual NextFest event, opening for bands such as My Chemical Romance and All American Rejects. Once again, bad luck stepped in when the event was cancelled due to illness and injury in both of the co-headlining bands.
The third time is the charm when it comes to seeing Head Automatica play in an environment where they belong. This audience was more receptive, and this was reflected in the set. Lead singer Daryl Palumbo’s energy was felt as he included a signature scream throughout the upbeat songs. The band played an equal number of songs from its new release, Popaganda, and the older Decadence. Noteworthy songs included “Lying Through Your Teeth,” the cheery “Beating Heart Baby” and “I Shot William H. Macy.” Also included were a couple new songs that have yet to be released.
After Head Automatica, fans could not wait to hear Jack’s Mannequin, as they wildly cheered whenever the band’s name was mentioned.
Jack’s Mannequin is a solo project by Andrew McMahon, the lead singer for the band Something Corporate. Fans hoped to hear songs from his other band and were not disappointed. The set included songs from the debut record Everything in Transit and not one but two songs from Something Corporate – “She Paints Me Blue” and “Heroine.”
However, McMahon made sure the audience knew the night was all about Jack’s Mannequin. McMahon credited “She Paints Me Blue” as the precursor to Jack’s Mannequin’s hit song “Dark Blue” that had the crowd singing along. More fan favorites included “La La Lie,” and the band’s other hit, “The Mixed Tape.”
During the show, McMahon took the time to reminisce about his Denver concert experience and its contribution to his recovery. At the time Jack’s Mannequin album was released, he was diagnosed with leukemia and subsequently all album promotions were cancelled until he recovered. Fortunately, he did bounce back.
This touching story made the show even more memorable as McMahon brought positive energy to the crowd. Other highlights included “Last Straw,” a B-side performance off the band’s debut record.
For the encore, McMahon left his usual stance at the piano and moved about the stage playing cover songs such as “Message in a Bottle” by The Police. An explosion of confetti onto the crowd wrapped up the night.
Jack’s Mannequin put on a show worth seeing every time Andrew McMahon stops in Denver.
