The year 2006 was full of plenty new sounds in the music scene, but one of the ones I remember the most vividly was hearing Motion City Soundtrack’s Commit This To Memory album for the first time. I instantly fell in love with Justin Pierre’s goofy lyrics and the fun, upbeat sound of their songs. Although my taste has grown and changed since then, my love for MCS hasn’t changed since, and I was eager to finally see them live this past week at Summit Music Hall. 

Opening the show was group Now, Now, a three piece from Minnesota. With two girls fronting the band and a one man drummer, the band had the crowd interested. Jukebox The Ghost was the next group to take the stage. Another three piece band made up of a drummer, a pianist, and a guitarist, this group immediately got the room moving with fun, poppy ballads. Lead singer Ben Thornewill’s voice seems to showcase a history in musical theater, which was an interesting and fun sound to hear in such a different setting. 

Just after 9:30pm, Motion City Soundtrack took the stage opening with the song “My Favorite Accident”, and the crowd went wild. Playing a slew of old and new songs, the band played a wonderful mix from their discography. Although I’m mainly familiar with their older material, it was exciting to see a younger audience still interested and singing along to all of their newer stuff as well. Lead singer Justin Pierre continued to rile the crowd throughout the night, asking, “Are you feeling alive people?” before breaking out into “The Future Freaks Me Out”. The band had incredible energy on stage, drawing in the audience in with every song, bouncing around between one another. The band performed “Everyone Will Die” off their new record for the second time live that evening which was exciting to hear. My favorite was “Antonia”, an adorable love song that was one of the many requests the band received over social media sites throughout the day. 

After waiting just about eight years to see this band live, they certainly did not disappoint me. Although I still admit that as much as I try to listen and delve into their newer records like Go - their release from early this summer - their older classics will always be my favorite. I can guarantee you I’ll be back in the audience the next time they come through town and I recommend the same to anyone else who enjoys some good ol’ fashioned fun.

Maddie ​