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The Orphan The Poet Concert Review: A set that will leave you buzzin'


Alternative rock band The Orphan The Poet brought their headlining tour to Cobra Lounge in Chicago, IL on Thursday, February 15th, 2018. I had never seen the band live before, and I had never been to Cobra Lounge, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Cobra Lounge was a bit of an awkward venue in my opinion, and the sound definitely wasn't the best, but the bands didn't let this effect their performance. The Orphan The Poet, as well as the opening bands they brought along, showcased an incredible amount of talent and energy. While there were aspects of the venue I wasn't a fan of, each band impressed me greatly and I would love to see them again in the future. I'm going to focus on the last three bands that played to keep this post concise.

Friday Pilots Club 
Presenting a sound that is a refreshing fusion of indie rock and blues, Friday Pilots Club is an exceptional representation of modern rock. Based in Chicago, IL and consisting of Caleb Hiltunen (lead vocals and guitar) and Drew Polovick (guitar and vocals), this duo has created a sound that is unlike any other. Singles such as "End of It" and "Ain't Your Son" demonstrate the band's cutting edge style. The band's performance had a heavy sound and high-energy, making it fun to dance to while also showing a more rugged side of indie rock. Hiltunen is a one-off in terms of his vocals, which are a combination of melodic and rough styles. Polovick expressed a remarkable exuberance during the set by dancing, jumping, and drumming to the beat of the music, making it impossible not to be excited during the performance. Keep an eye and ear out for Friday Pilots club-- they are the future of the indie rock scene.
I The Victor 
With a performance style and sound that's comparable to artists like Misterwives, I The Victor has the power to turn a small gathering into an upbeat dance party. Rebecca Ramos from Atlanta Georgia makes up the band, but she brings everyone's attention to the stage effortlessly. Songs like "Toothpick", "Jackal", and "I Hope You Understand" show the wide variety of sound that Ramos produces. From smooth indie acoustic to bullish indie pop, I The Victor produces songs that can attract a wide range of people. Using a blend of acoustic guitar and drums, Ramos's energy runs through her whole body while performing. Once this energy is matched with the remarkably colorful sound, it is impossible not to get up and dance. It won't be long before I The Victor takes over the alt/indie pop scene with her flair and passion for performing her music.

The Orphan The Poet 
Both impressively confident and personable, The Orphan The Poet is definitely making a name for themselves in the music scene. Consisting of David (lead vocals), Ty (guitar), Jake (bass), and Sam (drums), the band works well together in creating a stunning alternative rock sound, and each one of them is affable and engaging towards their fans. Featuring singles like "Still Buzzin'" and "Terrible Things", the band is quickly gaining traction in the alt rock scene. The Orphan The Poet's set was one of vibrancy, bringing the small, intimate atmosphere of Cobra Lounge to life. David put a lot of effort towards interacting with the crowd by pulling a fan on stage to sing during their cover of "Sk8er Boi" by Avril Lavigne, and even bringing his mic stand down to sing in the middle of the audience. This made their set more individual and exciting. The band has a natural performative stage presence, all dancing and jumping around despite the smaller size of the stage and audience. The Orphan The Poet has the talent and energy needed to take their songs to much larger venues and audiences in even more locations, so I highly consider you check out their music, follow them on social media, and recommend them to your friends so we can get them the opportunities and recognition they deserve.

 


Please check out the other two bands that opened, they are both very talented!

The Burst and Bloom:
Check out their music on Spotify
Follow them on Twitter/Facebook

Better Love:
Check out their music on Spotify
Follow them on Twitter/Facebook

Info for artists featured: 

Friday Pilots Club:
Music on Spotify
Twitter and Facebook

I The Victor:
Music on Spotify
Twitter and Facebook

The Orphan The Poet:
Music on Spotify
Twitter and Facebook





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