If you didn’t make the State Radio show at the Majestic Theatre this past Saturday, you definitely missed out on a great show.
Sarah Jaffe started the night with a set of slow yet powerful songs that got the audience bouncing by the time State Radio stepped onto the stage. She greeted the crowd with shyness but sang so loud and strongly that everyone was forced to pay attention. It was shocking, then, that she whispered “thank you” into the microphone so quietly afterward. Some of her songs were slightly upbeat and electronic, while others allowed the mob of listeners to sway along and get lost in her easy, commanding vocals. It was a good blend, and she ended her set with the title track from her latest album The Body Wins, which is one of her most danceable.
Regardless of the tempo of her songs, Sarah Jaffe was a wonderful opener for State Radio and one that is not typical or expected. Her indie, Sarah McLachlan- and Florence and the Machine-esque sound is completely different from State Radio’s harder, more alternative music.
But the crowd seemed to enjoy both, and even before State Radio began their first song everyone was applauding.
They walked onto stage amongst blood red lights and loud cheers and wasted no time in starting the show. Their performance almost seemed eclectic or diverse — reggae songs followed immediately by hard rock, and blues tracks followed by grunge. It was sort of an up-and-down set, speeding up and then slowing back down. The diversity of their music, I think, was reflected perfectly on stage, with the various members rocking a cowboy hat, a hipster beard, shaggy Ska hair, and a Nirvana shirt. Seems pretty fitting to me.
The standout performer, though, was State Radio’s guitarist. He slammed long riffs that whipped the audience into a frenzy of cheering. But that doesn’t mean that the rest of the band was subpar in any way — the lead singer, Chad Stokes Urmston, sang gutturally with both rough, rugged moments and clear belting choruses. He was backed by amazing harmony from his bandmates as well as the entirety of the audience. The listeners dancing in the crowd sang along, and he thanked them with happy, giddy smiles.
Those who know State Radio probably also know about their political activism. They stood on stage before a huge banner that read “1138,” which is representative of the 1,138 federal marital benefits and responsibilities that same-sex couples are denied by certain legislature. It is admirable that State Radio uses their music to promote such a cause, and if it is something you are interested in supporting, check out their ME Campaign. If not, their music is still amazing.
Putting all political issues aside, both Sarah Jaffe and State Radio are amazing performers and made for an enjoyable and energetic show this past weekend. The crowd went home tired and content and eager for more.