This Neon Trees show is the 2nd of many I’ve attended as they would quickly become the band that I have seen the most. The Trees were about to release their sophomore album “Picture Show” and had started to stream a few of the songs to their fans. The first single “Everybody Talks” had already been released and featured in a commercial! The fans that had lined up early in front of the Bowery Ballroom were talking about the new songs and some already knew the lyrics.
Since Bowery Ballroom is a small venue with no barricade, it was a chance for the fans to be up close and personal with the band and the two shows on the 16th and 17th were appropriately named “An Intimate Evening with Neon Trees”. The opening band Apt was a young rap group also from Provo, UT. I have to say the crowd was almost embarrassed for these guys. I’m not a rap fan but my daughter and her friend are. Unfortunately, we could not wait for them to be done.
Neon Trees came on and Tyler quickly showed what a dynamic frontman he is. The signature mohawk that he had worn when we first saw him was gone but his style and moves were evident. Fan favorites were Habits from the first album and the new single Everybody Talks. My personal favorite was Mad Love. I was surprised and ecstatic when drummer Elaine sang the second verse! About halfway through the show, Tyler broke a chain suspender that he had just purchased. He threw it to the crowd and my daughter and her friend managed to snag a good portion of it. Tyler was getting close enough to the crowd to sweat on them. Not my cup of tea but some of the girls looked pleased. We also went home at the end of the evening with a setlist. Neon Trees know how to make their fans happy!
NOTE: all photographs are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography
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