I've Never Felt So Strange, Standing In The Jersey Rain- A Review

There’s pouring rain, wind gusts, and near freezing temperatures and I decided to see a show on the Stone Pony’s Summer Stage tonight.  Only a select few bands would ever get me out in the elements like that and not have me crying by the show’s end.   New Jersey’s pride and joy, The Gaslight Anthem, happens to be one of the three bands that would get me out there. 

When I showed up to the stage, Luther was out there.  Now I know nothing about them nor did I really care to listen to them so I headed inside the Stone Pony for a bit to watch the end of the 2nd period in the New York Rangers v Boston Bruins game.  The Hold Steady took the stage soon after, turns out they’ve released albums since “Sequestered In Memphis” was a single.  

By 8:40, Brian Fallon and Co took the stage for the main event.  I will admit, I was a bit nervous, as those of you who listened to the review know, I’m not the biggest fan of the Handwritten album and I didn’t want to stand in the rain and wind for an hour and a half listening to an album I could live without.  But that was far from the case.  

The band started with Handwritten, which sounds completely different live, a less Bruce Springsteen-y song and more individualized sound.  From there, the band went into their discography.  American Slang and The 59 Sound were played just as much.  So much music was thrown at us, making the ticket price worth it (I bought mine off TicketsNow and paid almost double).  

The downside?  

There was no banter with the crowd.  

Aside from Fallon asking the crowd how they were doing with all the rain and telling the crowd he was hosting E Street Radio (which whipped everyone into a frenzy for a potential Bruce cameo, he wasn’t there) it was almost like listening to a way better album version.  But with all the cold and rain, I was really okay with that tonight.  

The Gaslight Anthem is wonderful pumping through my car speakers, windows down, hair blowing in the wind as the sun beats down and now I can attest, they are just as good, if not better, in winter-like conditions while on the Stone Pony’s Summer Stage.  

What's the worst conditions you've stood through to see a band?  Are you less picky about your conditions or are you like me?