Tigers Jaw at Market Hotel (photo by Amanda Meth)
On Saturday, February 26th, indie rock band Tigers Jaw played Market Hotel to a sold out crowd just a state over from their hometown of Scranton, PA. After a nationwide tour supporting Circa Survive was canceled so vocalist Anthony Green could focus on his well-being, Tigers Jaw managed to pull together their own headlining tour at the last minute. For me, it was a treat to see them headline as I’m a longtime fan who’s only seen them supporting other acts in larger venues. Saturday night did not disappoint as the band played 19 songs, many of which were off their esteemed 2021 release, I Won’t Care How You Remember Me.
Buffalo and Brooklyn-based DIY musician Quinton Brock opened the show with an engaging and invigorating performance, clearly happy to be sharing his songs with neighbors and fellow music lovers. His set consisted mostly of unreleased songs as well as three released singles—“To the Moon,” “Touch,” and “There For You.” With a sound that encompasses elements of indie, R&B, indie, and punk, Brock approached the crowd with the same kind of openness present in his songs, hyping up the audience and inciting smiles, sing-alongs, and arm waves across the room. A truly talented performer, Brock set the stage for an evening of rocking out by fully activating the audience during his set.
Tigers Jaw began with their 2020 single “Warn Me” before transitioning into a set comprised of songs off several of their albums, including the aforementioned 2021 release I Won’t Care How You Remember Me in addition to spin (2017), Charmer (2014), and Tigers Jaw (2008). Throughout the night fans were crowd surfing, stage diving, and singing their hearts out to the band’s deeply personal and emotionally charged songs. There was minimal stage banter from the band, who were focused on delivering a straightforward and well-versed set. In an hour and a half, Tigers Jaw played 19 songs and missed 0 beats.
Formed in 2005, Tigers Jaw continues to make great music nearly 20 years after their inception. With lead guitarist and vocalist Ben Walsh, keyboardist and vocalist Brianna Collins, bassist Colin Gorman, and drummer Teddy Roberts, the band continues to strengthen their existing body of work by making heart-driven, melancholic, and uniquely beautiful music. At Saturday’s concert, I found myself amongst many fans who were about half my age, which means that Tigers Jaw are aging quite well and hopefully have many years left ahead of them. As someone who’s found myself leaning into the band’s work for my own moments of emotional turmoil, I’m glad that others are able to lean on them in their own way. When the band ended their set with “I Saw Water,” the crowd went wild, eager to throw themselves into the depths of a tiger’s jaw.
Tiger’s Jaw setlist: Warn Me, Cat’s Cradle, Plane Vs. Tank Vs. Submarine, The Sun, Can’t Wait Forever, Hum, Hesitation, Chemicals, Follows, Body Language,Slow Come On, Commit, Never Wanted To, June, I Won’t Care How You Remember Me, Window , Anniversary, Never Saw It Coming, I Saw Water
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Amanda Meth)
QUINTON BROCK
TIGERS JAW
