Streetlight Manifesto w/ Dan Potthast and Sycamore Smith
Showbox SODO, Seattle, WA
05.28.15
When Pandora came to the online streaming scene, I was hooked. I created a playlist called “Phil’s Pitta Patta,” which was basically a hodgepodge of a bunch of different genres, from old standards to metal. One day at work, “Kesabey Nights” by Streetlight Manifesto came on, and I was immediately hooked by their infectious energy and spirit.
The boys of Streetlight Manifesto descended upon the Showbox Sodo and it was a raucous affair. It was hot and sweaty in the venue, due to the sheer amount of dancing and moshing that was reminiscent of Ska’s golden age, with bands like Goldfinger, Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. One of the most amazing feats of the night was baritone saxophone player Mike Brown’s dance moves while holding on to that hulking instrument.
The ska genre is so unique in the fact that even though there is a front man, the horns are the stars. Guitarist/Singer Tomas Kalnoky was off on the far left, while Mike Brown (Baritone Saxophone), Jim Conti (Saxophone), and Nadav Nirenberg (Trombone) were front and center, for good reason: those musicians are extremely talented and deserve to be in the spotlight. As a band, they were extremely tight in their up-tempo arrangements, making it look effortless and fun.
Highlights of the night included “Dear Sergio,” “Kesabey Nights,” and the Hello Kitty stuffed animal that made its way through the crowd.
Opening for Streetlight Manifesto was the kazoo playing Sycamore Smith and the wonderfully energetic songster Dan Potthast.
Streetlight Manifesto
Dan Potthast
Sycamore Smith
