Balance and Composure and Glitterer

“We are not one and the same, not cut from that cloth.“

Glitterer

For an evening packing such a powerful punch of nostalgia, it’s only fitting to have someone as influential and appreciated as Ned Russin on the bill. Backed by a full band, the former Title Fight frontman may be bringing a more adventurous, genre agnostic sound with him, but the intensity of his delivery has stayed the same. His understated charisma and earnest voice have always had a knack for pulling the attention of a crowd, and tonight is no exception to the rule. The core elements that made Title Fight so great are all here, bass heavy, high tempo and served up with heart. Glitterer are still their own beast though, soft textures and layered keyboards change the tone and present a more refined sound that carries well in a larger room like tonight’s. The heat may be oppressive but Russin and crew deliver a short, sharp and memorable set in spite of it.

Balance and Composure

As the impact of the iconic fourth wave of Emo settles, the influence of bands like Balance and Composure can be heard and felt throughout today’s burgeoning alternative scene. This should be no surprise really, the Pennsylvania 5-piece are responsible for one of the most beloved catalogues in the genre’s canon. Their run of classic EP’s, LP’s and splits continue to age like wine, holding a visceral edge that continues to set them aside from many of their peers. 

Quietly taking the stage to the haunting opening harmonies of “Restless“, Balance and Composure gently stir the audience from their conversations and the emotion in The Dome quickly grows to a fever pitch. Joining frontman Jon Simmons‘ signature croon with total commitment, the crowd poured their hearts out to the stage. So many voices sharing every hook and chorus in perfect synchronisation creating a truly candid atmosphere. Everyone in the room has a connection to these songs, so strong it’s tangible. People are completely lost in the music, eyes closed, heads arched, singing to themselves, the band and the roof all at the same time.

Any memory of the scorching heat of the day dissipates in the face of songs like “Parachutes” and within minutes the crowd shake off their inhibitions and launch themselves at each other in celebratory abandon. As the sweltering air closes in, it seems to push everyone closer together. Strangers content to scream the words in each other’s faces in that peculiar affection unique to a blended audience of emo and hardcore kids, crossing all our previous boundaries with shared familiarity. Plenty could be written on the strength of Balance and Composures material and would very easily fall into indulgent sentimentality doing so. It’s enough to say that they are a band at a peak of their abilities, and whatever you do – do not let any opportunity to see them be wasted.