almost monday Wipes Away Monday Blues At Brighton Music Hall
Tucked away in Brighton, the music hall of the same name offered refuge from the harsh Boston winds on February 5th. Despite the heater’s best attempt to emit warmth, the unbridled joy in the air kept everyone going. The energy in the crowd was instantly palpable. As Le Tigre’s “Deceptacon” blared over the speaker, no one held back from singing and dancing along as if the night had already begun. The tension slowly gave way as the stage crew finalized preparations for what was sure to be an unforgettable evening.
When almost monday took the stage, a colorful tapestry spelling out their name lit the stage and cast a warm glow across the crowd. The California-based band wasted no time diving straight into their set, and from the moment lead singer Dawson Daugherty stepped forward, clad in oversized sunglasses, the energy shifted. Rather than focusing on the current song playing or their phones, the crowd’s attention gravitated toward his magnetic persona. He greeted the crowd with a simple “Hello, Boston,” and the room erupted excitedly.
They kicked off with “can’t slow down,” a track that evoked the shimmering, synth-heavy vibe of Empire of the Sun. The audience clung to Daugherty’s every word, swaying in sync with the infectious beats. As the disco ball above spun, casting flashes of light across the room, the crowd exploded when the band played their hit “cough drop.” The room was pleasantly disorienting, with a sea of fans jumping up and down as Daugherty instructed.
There was an overwhelming sense of catharsis in the air that seemed to transcend the music itself. The crowd gave themselves completely to the moment, every person lost in the rhythm.
Daugherty was a blur of energy. Between leaping, kicking, and punching the air, he became a spectacle in motion, pulling the audience into his whirlwind. His enthusiasm was infectious and it became clear that this wasn’t just a concert highlighting their new deluxe album, but also a celebration. As the encore finished and the lights flickered back on, the post-concert depression settled in. But almost monday made it clear: they will be back to take over Boston again soon enough, to once more wipe away those Monday blues.