“A show for the people!” advertised the Johnny Brenda’s posting for the B.C. Camplight, Audible and the Bye Byes show last Friday night, declaring B.C.C. the “most requested band” on the JB’s facebook page.
The brainchild of Philly native Brian Christinzio, B.C. Camplight’s infectious pop songs won national acclaim with the release of 2005’s Hide, Run Away, as well as an enthusiastic fan base at home. Still, it’s been ages since Christinzio had offered up a Philly show – so it’s easy to understand the requests. What’s more, JBs decided to couple the performance with a record release party for Audible – the low-key indie pop project of Philly singer/songwriter Mike Kennedy. A show for the people for sure!
Local retro-rock quartet the Bye Byes kicked things off, delighting the audience with a quirky set of whimsical, lush indie pop. A new band to watch!
Audible took the stage next, filling the space with gorgeous gentle rolling melodies. Onstage, Kennedy was warm and charming, strumming his guitar softly while encouraging fans to download the new record (available for FREE on the band’s website) and deflecting attention from himself to his back-up band –especially his wife, Kristine Kennedy, who sang and played bass like a champ despite a large pregnant belly.
B.C. Camplight closed out the show, and the crowd pushed forward, as Christinzio, clad in a suit and corduroy hat and seated at the keyboard like some 21st century Elton John, flashed a wry smile and launched into a stunning rendition of “Lord I’ve been on fire”, off 2007’s Blink of a Nihilist. Despite some apparent last-minute line-up changes (“this dude just joined the band two days ago!” admitted Christinzio, gesturing towards the bassist) their sound was spot-on, and the audience was totally grooving.
“I’m always afraid at shows like this that I’m not going to get an encore,” said Christinzio, after about an hour of danceable, theatrical pop, “so here’s what we’re going to do instead. We’re going to do two more songs, and then I have a whole big horn section that I’m bringing on stage.” Almost if on cue, a saxophone player emerged from the green room and started climbing the stairs.
“No, not yet!” yelled Christinzio, laughing. “After 2 more songs!”
The band closed the show with an exhilarating medley of chamber pop sweetness – the audience jiving and swing-dancing like a sock hop on steroids. There’s no doubt this is truly music for people – and the people, it seems, have incredible taste!
