Taking Back Sunday’s Third Annual Holiday Spectacular kicked off at Starland Ballroom on Friday December 16.  For two nights, fans get to enjoy a pop shop, pictures with Santa, and an acoustic show before the show.  Then at night a full band show with special opening guests.  For Friday’s show, the special guests were local band Modern Chemistry and making their yearly holiday appearance, The Starting Line.  Starting the show was New Brunswick band Modern Chemistry.  It’s no surprise that Modern Chemistry is making waves in the scene, remember they are from New Brunswick and if you know your music geography you know a lot of good comes out of that area.  With a new E.P. out this past May, produced by none other than Taking Back Sunday’s Adam Lazzara, it was a no brainer to see these guys on the bill.  With influences ranging from Brand New to Manchester Orchastra, fans were singing along and moving to the music while new listeners were taking in their new favorite band.  With no label, it is only a matter of time till we start to see Modern Chemistry being booked on numerous tours and have a record deal.  Keep an eye out on this one.

https://www.facebook.com/modernchemistry

The past couple of years have been exciting for The Starting Line.  When they announced their hiatus in 2008, everyone assumed there would be one show later in the future.  Fast forward and we have gotten more than a handful of shows and new music.  I don’t think anyone was prepared for that.  Like Taking Back Sunday, The Starting Line usually does an annual holiday show.  This year would be at the Union Transfer in Philadelphia, PA, but this show would be a warm up show.  Of course the setlist would be much shorter, but The Starting Line played all the favorites, and the newest song “Anyways”.  The break has done The Starting Line good, for they seem more energetic than they have before.  For one, Kenny’s stage presence is something out of a 80’s hardcore band where he two steps back and forth on stage.  The band seems in high spirits and we can only assume another holiday show next year, but maybe we will also get new music too, let’s hope.

https://www.facebook.com/thestartingline/

Its been a good year for Taking Back Sunday.  Tidal Wave, their latest record, was release in September and landed at #36 on the Billboard 200.  The album received raved reviews and now playing two sold out nights at Starland Ballroom.  For their holiday spectacular, Taking Back Sunday had holiday trees, light up Santas and snowmen, wrapped presents, and microphones with holiday garland.  A 20 song set that spans their entire discography, Taking Back Sunday played to the excited and eager crowd.  Even when Adam’s mic went out during the third song, the crowd didn’t stop singing.  Adam didn’t know, for the crowd was singing back that loud.  The classics always make the crowd the rowdiest.  However, the new songs live really shine during the set, Taking Back Sunday latest effort really proves that Taking Back Sunday are a timeless band, and their live show speaks volumes.

http://www.takingbacksunday.com/