Sad Summer Festival 2019
The Masquerade // Atlanta, GA // July 9th, 2019
Photos and review by Sophie Harris
Atlanta fans were lucky to catch the first annual Sad Summer Fest for two nights in a row – all while indoors at The Masquerade’s “Heaven” stage. We were lucky to catch night 2 of the Sad Summer festivities on July 9, which gave us performances from The Maine, The Wonder Years, and Mom Jeans.
Mom Jeans
Something that set the newcomer band Mom Jeans apart was their configuration on the stage. Instead of a traditional set up, lead singer Eric Butler stood on stage left and angled himself equally toward the crowd and his bandmates, as if he were singing to both groups. Their song introductions were humorous and relatable. The crowd appreciated “This song is about my dog” while introducing “PICKLE BART” and “You know when you’re driving and it’s really hot and your AC goes out? That’s what this song is about” before “Season 9 ep 2-3.”
The Wonder Years
The Wonder Years brought joy to the Atlanta crowd when lead singer Dan Campbell said they have [probably]played The Masquerade more than any other venue, fondly remembering the old location at 695 North Avenue. He was grateful to be playing The Masquerade at Sad Summer Festival, but not only because it was indoors and air conditioned. He appreciated not having to tone down the sad songs like the band would have to at most festivals. Before playing 2013’s hit, “Passing Through A Screen Door,” Campbell spoke vulnerably to the crowd. He told us that his son had just turned 3 months old and when his plane took off to Atlanta, he was all he could think about. The song’s line “I don’t want my children growing up to be anything like me” has a whole new meaning to him now.
The Maine
The Maine’s attentiveness to listeners made their set the perfect way to close out Sad Summer Festival. Their latest album, You Are OK, was a perfect way to spark conversations about mental health within their fanbase, using music as a way to help cope with struggles. New and old fans alike enjoyed a set full of songs from their debut album to their most recent, all while feeling a special sense of inclusivity. During “Am I Pretty?” lead singer John O’Callaghan spotlighted random people in all parts of the crowd and shouted them out to dance. He stepped into the crowd during the next song, “Another Night on Mars,” and told the crowd none of them were alone in that moment. John introduced Atlanta to two special guests that night: a fan named Josh, who came on stage to join the band in singing “Girls Do What They Want,” and All Time Low’s Rian Dawson, who played drums during “Taxi.”
