almost monday at Parish 2/15

Californian trio almost monday welcomed Parish with liveliness and pure fun on Feb. 15. The energy within the building was unmatched, cultivating an experience nothing short of incredible.

Adrian Lyles opened for the band, setting the thrilling tone for the night. With the release of his latest single, “King of Everything,” which delves into his battle with self-reflection, Adrian is making his mark on the music industry through his introspective lyrics and danceable instrumentals. A highlight was his rendition of Frank Ocean’s “Pink and White,” his vocals completely doing justice to the original; the way the lyrics rolled off his mouth was heavenly, peaceful to the soul and the mind. His band was equally captivating, his drummer having a contagious energy that lit up the room as well as his bassist and guitarist, moving around to dance while still playing mind-blowing chord progressions. It was a performance to remember.

I was familiar with some of almost monday’s work prior to the show, but I had no idea how enthralling their stage presence would be. What first caught my attention was the wide range of ages in the crowd. From toddlers to adults, it didn’t matter how old you were; there was something for everyone to enjoy. Everyone was simply there to have a good time.

With hits such as “can’t slow down,” “jupiter,” and “only wanna dance,” almost monday’s upbeat instrumentals and uplifting lyrics encapsulated the feeling of being outside on a warm and sunny day despite it being 50 degrees in Austin that night. The band was extremely interactive with the crowd, talking to them and encouraging everyone to sing and dance along. Dawson Daugherty, the lead singer, busted out his best dance moves all night long, pumping up the crowd, which guitarist Cole Clisby, bassist Luke Fabry, and touring drummer Rafael Vidal reciprocated, amplifying the invigorating energy in the venue.

The concert allowed me to live in the moment, basking in the cheery melodies of almost monday’s music. Still going on tour, they’re absolutely a must-see.