Photos and review by Jennie Book
@jenniebookphotography

AWOLNATION brought The Phantom Five tour to the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on May 9^th for an evening of dramatic energetic rock that the crowd loved.

Aaron Bruno, Isaac Carpenter, Zach Irons, Daniel Saslow, and Josh Moreau spent their 14 song set rocking hard and playing favorites that included “Jump Sit Stand March,” “Run,” and “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf).” I feel like I don’t have the authority to write a proper review since the AWOLNATION nation is a strong force who are deeply invested in all things Bruno-projects, but will say that the Regency Ballroom was a great spot for this show, with people packed at the front of the floor and rocking up top in the balcony while the thundering bass and lights hit everyone equally.

The set list was good and covered many eras of the band, and I was excited to hear “Hollow Moon,” but was not excited when Bruno let the crowd sing a certain stanza instead of yelling it himself, since I can hear myself yell it in my car anytime. That was likely just me, though, as there was definitely some catharsis gained by a whole crowd yelling at the same time as our singer watched on. Other cathartic moments were had right up to the end, with the closing encore song “Sail” which everyone knew and loved.

Bruno is magnetic onstage, and another band dynamo is Zach Irons on guitar, who needs to have his own special high-speed camera setting to capture his hairflips and headbangs. He’s super dynamic and fun to watch, and doesn’t seem extra spotlight-seeking which makes him even more authentic. The whole band is cohesive and talented, and they all seem fused to their instruments like they’re an extension of themselves, like if you saw them standing in a room without their thing it just wouldn’t look right.

AWOLNATION travels to Europe beginning in June for festivals and individual dates, and all the latest news and info including where to get tickets can be found at www.awolnation.com and @awolnation.