On June 15, some local music fans will surely have a concert dilemma: New Found Glory or Hawthorne Heights? We make the case for each.
New Found Glory: This show offers an all-killer, no-filler lineup. Pop-punk lifers New Found Glory need no introduction—and, wisely, their setlist is a keen balance of MTV-popularized sing-alongs, nuanced modern rock and quasi-ironic covers. Openers-wise, of special note is William Ryan Key: The former architect of Yellowcard’s emotional blueprints is now an incisive solo act; stream the Ben Gibbard-esque “Vultures.” Rounding out the night is The Movielife—a staple of the same Long Island post-hardcore scene that also birthed Taking Back Sunday—and fellow punk rabble-rousers Bayside.
Hawthorne Heights: The Ohio-based rock band was an integral part of the mid-’00s emo boom, thanks to the longing “Ohio Is for Lovers.” Although times are different now—vocalist/guitarist JT Woodruff is the lone original member left—the act still has a knack for dynamic hooks: 2018’s Bad Frequencies boasts the gleaming punk-pop gem “Pink Hearts” and the heartstring-tugging “Starlighter (Echo, UT).” The key to this show is its potential for music discovery, thanks to intriguing openers. Hotel Books offers stripped-down, confessional songwriting; Listener mixes Hold Steady-like speak-shouting vocals with throttling ’90s emo; and Sienna Skies splits the difference between aggressive metalcore and melodic pop-punk.
NEW FOUND GLORY with The Movielife, Bayside, William Ryan Key. June 15, 6:30 p.m., $26-$30. Brooklyn Bowl, 702-862-2695.
HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS with Listener, Hotel Books, Sienna Skies, Heavy Things. June 15, 7 p.m., $18. Beauty Bar, 702-598-3757.
