For nearly two decades, Motion City Soundtrack has been charming fans everywhere with their infectious emo pop-punk. Although most fans would argue vehemently that the band is highly underrated, the group has managed to develop quite a solid fan base over the years. This has been evident in the energy and enthusiasm I’ve felt at every Motion City Soundtrack show I’ve ever attended. The most charming thing about MCS for me is that they somehow manage to perfectly blend cheerful, bouncy melodies and singalong worthy choruses with angst-ridden verses filled with tales of substance abuse and disastrous relationships. In fact if you take away the words, most of their music sounds more suitable as a soundtrack to a cartoon featuring rainbows and unicorns. Instead, it’s a brutally honest account of what it’s like to live with addiction and mental illness. Having followed Motion City Soundtrack since the release of I Am the Movie in 2003, I was thrilled to cover one of their farewell shows.
The excitement began early on the day of their stop in New Jersey. A line of anxious fans wrapped around the building long before the Starland Ballroom opened its doors. Fans could be heard discussing which songs they hoped to hear while exchanging memories of their previous concert experiences. I couldn’t help but think back to all the times I saw the band live in high school as I sat in the parking lot organizing my photography gear for the night.
The band kicked the night off with tracks from their early years, starting with “Back to the Beat” from their 2000 EP of the same name. “Cambridge” and “Capital H” from 2003’s I Am the Movie followed. It was a bit ironic to hear Justin Pierre repeatedly sing “I’ll be back tomorrow, I’ll be back in the ballroom swinging” during his last swing in this particular ballroom.
The rest of the set showcased the best of each album in the band’s discography. Anytime Pierre stepped away from the mic, the lyrics could still be heard loud and clear from the audience. Meanwhile, Jesse Johnson showed off his signature dance moves throughout the entirety of the set while crushing the keys. I couldn’t help but be impressed that the whole band displayed the same energy I remember when I saw them 10 years ago. During the final seconds of the set’s closing track, “The Future Freaks Me Out,” Pierre invited the audience to belt out the classic bridge so that the entire building could be heard proclaiming their love for Betty, whoever that is. It was a magical moment fans will not soon forget.
Dear MCS, While we all respect and support your decision to step down from the music industry and put your families first, should you ever consider a reunion tour, New Jersey will welcome you with open arms. Thanks for the memories!
All photos by Ali Brant Photography
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