Augustana + Twin Forks — A Night at the TLA
Maybe it’s just me, but I seem to draw parallels between simultaneous events happening in my life and always find it interesting when two events seem to match up perfectly. As the last concert review for A Teen View, it is a bit bittersweet to sit down and reflect on the Augustana and Twin Forks concert from last night. Though this isn’t the last review I will write (read more on that here), it is the last time that I will put up new content on my own website. Anyways, onto the crazy parallels and the actual concert.
The evening began with Twin Forks, the latest project from Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba, playing a 45 minute set filled with energy, a full band, and the slogan “Love Is Real.” I had done my due diligence and listened to the band a bit before the show, but was more impressed with their live performance and the effortlessness in which they captivated the crowd at Philadelphia’s Theater of the Living Arts. From jokes with the crowd and a lively version of Dashboard Confessional’s ‘The Swiss Army Romance’ to a beautiful blend of male and female vocals, it had every element necessary to start off what would turn out to be a fantastic night of music.
As the night progressed, it was time for Augustana to take to the stage. Augustana has been a favorite band of mine for a while. Always a go-to during the fall and winter or on a rainy day, their music just fits perfectly with a cup of tea and a warm blanket. The band has gone through some changes over the last two years with the primary members leaving, transforming it into a solo project for lead singer Dan Layus. When I saw the acoustic tour
last year, it was a completely different experience than the first time I had seen the full band and, as I had mentioned in that review, I almost thought it was better. This time around, I had been expecting it to be Dan Layus solo again, but was pleasantly surprised to see a setup for a full band instead along with fresh new music.
To me, it feels like Augustana has gotten a breath of fresh air and a chance to “rebrand,” something I have been talking about in classes lately. With the release of the latest album, Life Imitating Life, Dan has taken on a much more clean cut look and the band’s sound now includes the perfect blend of upbeat and soft ballads. The set included minimal talking, but spanned about two hours and included a variety of songs from every album. From old favorites like “Steal Your Heart,” “Fire,” “Dust,” and “Boston,” to some new favorites like “Need A Little Sunshine,” and “Alive,” there was a little bit of everything for fans new and old. Keep an eye out for the next round of tour dates and, while you wait, check out the photos from the live show below.
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