With two hours of notice and an address typed into my navigation, I had no assumption for my first outing in a new city.
The Headlamp’s concrete floors have been christened by some of Florida’s best punk bands. In its new incarnation, The Headlamp is a polished DIY space complete with a sizable stage, succulents, and local queer art (yay!). I have a feeling this will be my future oasis from the more conservative areas of town.
One month into my relocation, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the local music scene. Most touring bands skip Florida but somehow Jacksonville is exempt from the rule, mostly because it is really South Georgia. On a post-SXSW upswing, K Records’ own The Shivas made an early stop at The Headlamp on their Better Off Dead tour supporting their recent release of the same name.
First off, Better Off Dead is damn-fine, winsome American rock album. The songs don’t run hot, but rather, invite you in while maintaining a progressive, roiling boil. “Off Axis” offered an especially dulcet moment.
Supported by local bands Fever Hands and Kenny and The Jets, The Shivas landed a solid set. I was thoroughly impressed by the offering. Kristen Leonard shined like a star in the center of stage, doing double duty of sugary vocals and equally bellicose percussion. With precision moving bass lines and chunky beach guitar rifts, the balance between the trio shifted and evolved throughout the set from new releases to more raucous favorites, including “You Make Me Want To Die.” All that attended the intimate gathering replied with the correct amount of shimmying and shaking, matching the band beat for beat.
Well played Shivas, well played Jacksonville.
The Headlamp
818 Clay St
Jacksonville, Fl 32202
For more info, and tour dates, visit http://www.theshivas.com/shows.html.
The Shivas Live Review 2016 by Sarah Capps.
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▼ SHOWS TO GO TO ▼
Please support our friends who support us! Tell them Shows I Go To sends love! 🙂
- The Commission Beer Chamber
- Kingfish Records (Clearwater)
- Nora's Sugar Shack!
- Park Ave CDs
- Montgomery Drive Presents
- RT-Art Printing
- The Mary Jane 'High-Quality' Art Gallery
- The Owl's Attic Vintage Shop
- Broken Strings Brewery
- American Combat Club
- Lazy Moon Pizza
- Ten10 Brewing
- Leguminati
- Mutiny Ocala
- The Tipsy Skipper
- Conrad's Beer Shanty
- AKT Shirt Printing
- Smartpunk Records & Shop
- No Clubs Presents
- DaddyKool Records
- Galactic G Skateshop