It has been almost exactly a year to the day since we last caught pop-punk icons THE WONDER YEARS when they played a scorcher of a set to a sell out crowd at Academy 2 in Manchester. But now at long last they’re back and with another packed showing, this time at the fantastic O2 Ritz, we’re bound to be in for another incredible night. A night of celebration in fact as the current tour is in recognition of the 10 year anniversary of the band’s landmark album The Greatest Generation.
Kississippi
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First up are Philadelphia based KISSISSIPPI who’s chilled indie-pop stylings act as a very welcome breath of fresh air to ease us out of that dreary work week slump.
The atmosphere is light and cheery as founder Zoe Reynolds and band lead us through a dreamy 30 minute set of catchy pop tunes, Reynolds’ smooth vocals pairing perfectly with the airy rhythms of the music.
The dancing shoes come out early tonight with tracks like ‘We’re So in Tune’ presenting the opportunity for the night’s first YMCA styled dance-along with Reynolds leading from the stage. Sonically the band might feel like a slight mismatch with what’s about to come but the overall warm and cosy vibes of KISSISSIPPI’s music is the perfect ease into our following acts.
Origami Angel
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Now that the early birds have been suitably warmed up it’s time to shift gears up a notch as we move into our second act of the night, D.C’s ORIGAMI ANGEL. The room has by now started to fill significantly as the duo, consisting of guitarist / singer Ryland Heagy and drummer Pat Doherty kick things off with a couple of samples from their latest release The Brightest Days. It’s the sleepy summer holiday, stiripped down guitar of the titular track with which we start proceedings but when the drop hits with some down right dirty guitar chugs its pedal to the metal and all bets are off as we are launched into a blinder of a set.
The Gami Gang are out in force tonight as the floor is in constant motion for the next 40 or so minutes. Mosh pits and sing-alongs are clearly the order of the day with the track 24 Hour Drive-Thru being met with some particularly raucous crowd participation. Although the duo may not physically fill out a stage this size, songs such as The Title Track sound absolutely massive in this live setting. The group slip effortlessly from one anthemic pop punk crowd pleaser of a chorus to another, then swerve into some quick math-rock guitar noodling from Heagy before occasionally breaking down into almost thrash metal infused gallops. Couple this with the rapid fire vocals and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a good time.
The Wonder Years
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There is by now an electricity to the air as its time for The Wonder Years to take to the stage. Anyone familiar with The Greatest Generation album will know exactly how the following 50 minutes is going to pan out. And if it’s not clear from the outset, by the time the opening lines of “Passing Through A Screen Door” are being screamed back by a full capacity crowd there should be no doubt left that tonight is going to be an emotional outpouring of unforgettable proportions.
It cannot be overstated what a joyous experience it is to witness a Wonder Years crowd in full swing. Every song is met with resounding applause and every subsequent chorus is screamed back louder than the last. Even during the more mellow segments of the evening there is a palpable atmosphere, at one point vocalist Dan Campbell is joined on stage by Kississippi’s Zoe Reynolds for a rendition of The Devil In My Bloodstream which acts as a much needed moment of respite before launching back full force into Teenage Parents.
One of the benefits of playing an album such as The Greatest Generation front to back is that the set is by its very nature a keenly refined musical journey and if the group had chosen to end the night with the emotional apex that is album closer I Just Want To Sell Out My Funeral all in attendance would have left more than satisfied. But luckily for us the band announce that after a short break they’ll be treating us to a whole second set.
This next part of the night is of course an 8 track display of The Wonder Years past and present. Up first is the excellent Oldest Daughter from the band’s most recent release, followed by Suburbia…’s Local Man Ruins Everything and each subsequent song old and new is met with equal amounts of enthusiasm from the crowd.
Although this tour is largely a celebration of the significant achievement that is 10 years of The Greatest Generation it is also a celebration of what the group have achieved up to this point. It is clear in the band’s performance and in Campbell’s numerous addresses to the audience that the passion and excitement for what they have done and for what is yet to come is still very much alive and well. With Campbell stating in regards to how lucky they feel to have been able to do what they love for this long, that the band are “greatful for the opportunity, thankful for the fucking chance” and joking “It hurts more than it used to but we still have a lot left in the fucking tank”.
Regrettably though like all good things, tonight’s show must eventually come to an end. But not before going out with a bang as Origami Angel’s Ryland Heagy joins the band on stage for the night’s final send off, the crowd favourite Come Out Swinging. There is a warmth and love that accompanies a Wonder Years show that’s unlike any other which Campbell so aptly vocalised at an earlier point in the show when he said “You’re always welcome back here, its open arms at a Wonder Years show”.
All images by William Mawdsley | Instagram