Sprightly up-and-comers Young Statues are headlining an early, all ages show tonight at The Fire. The Philly, by way of Jersey, quintet creates post-puberty, pre-soul-crushing adulthood indie pop in the key of emo. The melodies and vocal delivery recall mid-aught emo bands like Days Away (who “evolved” into Good Old War) and Northstar (who “evolved” into Casino). Both of these bands journeyed from their roots into folk-country tinged acts, but Young Statues’ sound fits right in the middle of that evolution. They are not overtly emo, though the pensive lyrics and yearning tenor are notably present. (I would like to mention that when I say emo, I am not doing so in a derogatory way.) Young Statues are catchy without being terribly predictable. Yes, their lyrics could make great Facebook statuses, but relatability is not necessarily a negative – it certainly has its upside. The band is playing a couple shows this summer still riding on their self-titled debut released last year via Run For Cover Records, as well as an acoustic EP that they put out in February. Opening this show is Bright and Early, a band who is extremely comfortable in their pop-punk skin, so much so that they seem to have written a manifesto both coddling and decrying their entire “scene.” They even quote Midtown, both musically and lyrically – twice in their first two songs. Similar to Young Statues, they released an acoustic, or unplugged, EP back in January for free. The show also includes the surprising technicality of the extremely young band Edelweiss from Stroudsburg, PA. They make mathy-spacey-dark-pop-rock ready made to be eaten up by the New York scene. This is a showcase full of young talent for all agers as well as the 21+ crowd (just keep it legal y’all). The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 5pm, $5, All Ages – Adam G.
