VINYL THEATRE, MISTERWIVES + TWENTY ONE PILOTS ELECTRIFY TERMINAL 5

Electronic pop band Vinyl Theatre brought the dance party to Terminal 5 this past Thursday when they opened for Twenty One Pilots. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin natives pack a powerful punch of electro pop-rock, making the name of their debut album, Electrogram, a perfect fit. The album was just released on September 23^rd and features their first single Breaking Up My Bones. Lead singer and guitarist Keegan Calmes, keyboardist Chris Senner, bassist Josh Pothier and drummer Nick Cesarz blend electronic and indie-pop sounds to create a non-stop dance party. They set the tone for the night as the party only continued once they had finished their set.

Vinyl Theatre was a burst of energy from start to finish. Despite the sweat dripping from his face, keyboardist Senner broke out into a handstand in the middle of the third song and jumped right back up to his keys. Keegan and Pothier were in constant movement while feverishly strumming their guitars and playing off of each other’s verve.

The dance appeal of their music did not go unnoticed by the crowd. The sea of people filling Terminal 5 was in constant movement. A jumping pit even broke out in the middle of the floor during The Rhythm of Night, a track off Electrogram. With his back to the crowd, Keegan performed a mini drum solo along with drummer Cesarz as fans cheered him on from behind. Some songs played included Shine On, If You Say So, Gold, and Summer. They closed out their set with Breaking Up My Bones.

Misterwives kept the energy going with an equally lively set. Spunky lead singer Mandy Lee told fans how ecstatic she was to be playing in NYC, being a Queens native herself. Her playful lyrics and soulful voice kept the crowd engaged and bopping their heads. Misterwives also consists of William Hehir on bass, Etienne Bowler on drums, Marc Campbell on guitar, and Dr. Blum on keys, trumpet, and accordion. They have a dance-pop feel to them, but with a bit of folk and soul swirled in.

With different instruments constantly being brought out on stage, it was hard for your ears to keep up with Misterwives, but in a good way. One member had a small saxophone part before exiting the stage and Mandy Lee added a tambourine to her vocals a few songs in. Their debut EP Reflections is available now featuring many of the songs they played live at Terminal 5. Misterwives and Vinyl Theatre will be on tour until October 19^th with Twenty One Pilots.

Headliners Twenty One Pilots landed with a bang when they took the stage next. Ski masks being the unofficial tour uniform of the band members, a few teenage fans adorned in masks could be spotted in the crowd. Hailing from Columbus Ohio, Twenty One Pilots is a band to keep your eye on. Their fan base has grown significantly in just a few short years and they’re just starting to gain the attention they deserve from major music publications like Alternative Press, which featured them on the most recent cover.

Band members Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun put on a performance that keeps you standing on your tippy toes, even if you’re not as short as me. You don’t want to miss what might happen next. Their engagement with the crowd never ceases and their energy is relentless. They fuse together indie, rock, synth-pop, and some hip-hop influences to create a sound that is uniquely their own. Among a slew of other tunes, they played Semi-Automatic and Car Radio off their latest album Vessel.

They started off the performance clouded in a white fog, barely visible. Ski masks on and suspense building, they dropped a powerful beat into their first song. Fans exploded into a sing-a-long, every word drowning out singer Tyler Joseph. Besides lead vocals, Joseph also plays piano, keyboards, ukulele, keytar, and synthesizer for the band. Joseph moved eccentrically across the stage. Jumping from the top of the piano to the floor and then back to the top of the drum platform. He struck mysterious and almost cryptic poses along the way adding to the anticipation.

Drummer Dun stepped out into the crowd onto a full drum set suspended on a wooden board while fans held it up. That was only after he did a back flip off of the piano. Vinyl Theatre had the right theme with Electrogram because the electricity was flowing through fans and performers alike Thursday night. All three acts put on a powerful performance while fans danced and sang the night away. Twenty One Pilots is on their Quiet Is Violent Tour until November 21^st.

Article by: Ashley Rodriguez

Photos by: Michael Digiovanni