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Watch: Northside Festival, Titus Andronicus

Andrew Limbong :: Monday, June 28th, 2010 12:45 pm

There’s something to be said about the type of person that a state like New Jersey breeds. There’s the obvious stereotype that’s been proliferated by the Jersey Shore crew, but then there’s also the underdog archetype that New Jersey does so well. Upholding the tradition of Americana-inspired rock n’ roll from New Jersey, of which Bruce Springsteen is God, punk rockers Titus Andronicus showed on Saturday that they’ve got the chops to be the best thing New Jersey has produced since the Boss himself. Continue reading to watch.

Playing the new outdoors venue at the Newtown Barge Park in Brooklyn, I wasn’t completely sure they’d be able to pull off adapting the gloriously raucous energy of their studio albums to a live setting. Shame on me for not having more faith. Starting the set off with album opener “A More Perfect Union,” it was clear that they were bringing their A-game. Lead singer/guitarist Patrick Stickles shouted and sang his way through in perfect gruff harmony. My friend referred to his voice as having “goat-like tendencies” as he whined through the setlist, but in a good way.

What makes Titus Andronicus perfect for a live setting are their the anthemic qualities to their songs. It elevates the feeling in the crowd from just mere show-goers to a certain sense of camaraderie. When you’re gripping the complete strangers around you and chanting “it’s still us against them” like your soul depended on it for a good three minutes, you definitely get the feeling that there’s a lot more of “us” then you’re used to. I couldn’t think of anything more punk rock.

Setlist:
A More Perfect Union
No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future
Richard II
Fear and Loathing in Mahwah, NJ
Titus Andronicus
The Battle of Hampton Roads
Titus Andronicus Forever
Four Score and Seven

One Response to “Watch: Northside Festival, Titus Andronicus”

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    Posted by: Tweets that mention Death and Taxes » Watch: Northside Festival, Titus Andronicus -- Topsy.com June 28th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
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