Live Review: Titus Andronicus, Free Energy

Titus Andronicus

Titus Andronicus, Free Energy, Turf War, Monday, September 20, 2010, The Earl, Atlanta
by: Emily Hogan

Epic guitar solos, Bruce Springsteen sing-a-longs, and dancing. Lots and lots of dancing. Those things happen at a Titus Andronicus and Free Energy show.

Before we get rolling here, I should mention that Turf War started the show off on Monday evening. They apparently played some new tracks, but since it was my first time seeing them, they were all new tracks, new tracks to love. These guys are a lot of fun and a really great rock band. Definitely worth a visit to their MySpace page.

Next up, Philadelphia’s Free Energy. They kicked their set off with “All I Know” to get the crowd moving. Only pausing briefly to comment on the Georgia heat. The band raised Atlanta’s temperature even more when they moved into jams like “Dream City” and “Free Energy”. At this point, the party has started. Front man Paul Sprangers gestures at the crowd for their participation and they gladly complied.

Amy Klein of Titus Andronicus joined Free Energy on stage, guitar in hand, to play “Something In Common”, a personal favorite of mine.

We were treated with a new jam, “C’mon Let’s Dance”, which obviously got the crowd going when Sprangers sang, “let’s dance/don’t miss your chance”. Titus Andronicus joined them on stage to do a version of “I’m Goin’ Down” by Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen. It was wild. Talk about a sing-a-long, dance party of epic proportions. Free Energy put their own spin on this already amazing song and made it their own. The crowd loved it. This cover is available on a split 7” Free Energy put together with Titus Andronicus, but that could only be purchased at the show.

Free Energy finished their set with “Bang Pop” and “Hope Child”. They are a talented group of musicians that bring the party with them. And did I mention the guitar solos?

New Jersey-based Titus Andronicus took the stage and I could feel the intense mosh pit forming behind me. When Patrick Stickles strummed that first note the energy in the room intensified. It was amazing.

The band didn’t use a set list, even thought it was apparent from the tour’s title, “The MoniTOUR”, what songs we were going to hear. However, they did take requests, but within reason of course.

They barreled through songs like “A More Perfect Union”, “Titus Andronicus Forever”, and “Titus Andronicus”, which basically made the crowd go insane when Stickles got into the crowd. And at this point the crowd was screaming, “Your life is over, your life is over!” Klein is dancing and jumping around stage. Everyone was singing along and dancing.

Titus Andronicus ended the show with “Four Score and Seven”. And then, the night was over.

It’s a rare occurrence when all of the bands on a particular bill mesh so well together. I feel like Titus Andronicus and Free Energy could tour together forever and it would be all right with me. Whether they are touring together or not, you do not want to miss these bands when they roll into your town.

Editor’s Note: Emily Hogan is one of the foremost authorities in emerging music in Atlanta. You can follow her on Twitter @emilyhogan or via her Web site Wholly Roller.