This one is boring too because I've taken it/this band so many times recently, so I'll try to give some perspective in the write up.
I mentioned in one of my other picks, I've gravitated more towards female singers in recent years and that is absolutely true for what I listen to most of the time but in terms of concerts, I've moved towards more loud, aggressive rock. I don't know exactly where it started. Seeing Foals at Wayhome was certainly a turning point. Probably still my favourite festival show ever. I considered both 'What Went Down" and 'Mountain at My Gates' as my 35 year old song but ultimately I love that Alvvays song too much.
Seeing Japandroids in the front row was another step in the direction of going towards the more raucous stuff. That double bill was such a stroke of luck for me - Craig Finn (as a solo artist) was the opening act and if you've listened to his solo albums, they aren't as hard rocking as The Hold Steady but I just really like his stories and style of music and it was really easy t get front row for Finn - he isn't up the alley of your typical Japandroids fan - so we just stayed there right front and centre. But this isn't about those bands... though I did consider Japandroids
Celebration Rock as my 30 year old album.
No, this of course is about PUP. I've seen them four times now, twice in Peterborough, once in Toronto and once at Wayhome. The first time, I've talked about before, it was Riot Fest and I had no idea who they were but everyone kept talking about them. I went to this festival solo and they were scheduled to play at like 2 PM. But they kept getting bumped later in the day.. and everyone was talking about them. I had to go see them. And I was instantly hooked.
They came to my little town of Peterborough a year or so after and again, I couldn't get anyone to come with me. Not my wife's thing, my usual concert buddy doesn't go for the punk stuff... let me tell you, there were maybe 150 people there and it didn't matter, they completely destroyed the place.
Next time was at Wayhome with
@Steve Tasker. We weren't at the front at the start, we arrived a bit late IIRC, and were towards the back left but with some work we ended up basically at the centre and I'll say 4-5 rows deep, maybe his memories are less fuzzy than mine. I do remember Stefan climbing everything in sight and singing atop the lighting structures, crowd surfing at will and some general unease among all the security wondering how they got sucked into working this set and not Tegan and Sara or Solange.
Last time I saw them was just a month ago, just before covid shut everything down. They were on the new album for this one and I was with a different buddy who works at a craft brewery but isn't really into this kind of music but has the dangerous combination of talking a big game and being up for anything. The first few songs he saw the pit and really didn't have much interest in it... but he had talked about how he was going to the front.
I was willing to let him off the hook and enjoy from the back like the responsible 37 year old I am, really it's a great show regardless.
Then about 20 minutes in, the pre game beers kicked in and they launched into 'Scorpion Hill'... I was in a pile of bodies, thrashing, sweat and kindness (hey, it's PUP and we're in Canada, this is lefty powerpoppunk) for the next hour. Anyway, I'm not picking the new album because it's age 35 and age 35 for me, for the sweaty shows, the festivals, the live music in general, the great camaraderie means...
Age 35 Album - PUP - The Dream Is Over
DVP
Sleep in the Heat