Concert Review: milk. Kicks Off North American Tour on a High Note
All images courtesy of Ally Giust
On December 1st, Brighton Music Hall opened its doors to a long line of fans, waiting with bated breath to see the indie-pop quartet, milk. The small venue filled up quickly, excited voices echoing throughout.
The night commenced with the soulful musings of Jacob Ray. Armed with just his guitar and a voice that resonated with raw emotion, Ray took the audience on an intimate journey through tracks he wrote about a previous relationship. Ray's music washed over the crowd and set the tone for an evening of musical communion.
Ray’s performance was followed by local Berklee student, singer/songwriter/producer/bassist Adeline Vamenta, better known as ADDIE. ADDIE killed it, playing tracks off of her debut album and finishing with the currently unreleased track, “Grudges,” an angsty anthem that struck a loud chord with the audience.
Finally, the brisk and rainy Boston night was set ablaze with the eager anticipation of fans as milk. took the stage. Mark McKenna, the soulful frontman, Conor Gorman on guitar, the rhythmic heartbeat of Conor King on bass and the percussive maestro, Morgan Wilson converged to create an otherworldly experience that unleashed an ethereal dreamland upon the venue.
The auditory journey commenced with the anthemic declaration of "It's the Internet's World We're Just Living In It." The song is a bold proclamation backed with bright synthesis and manic energy that got the crowd’s hearts jumping. McKenna, a rather enigmatic figure, bathed in ethereal lights, weaved his vocals through the intricacies of the song, his presence a magnetic force that drew the audience into Milk.'s sonic realm.
“McKenna, a rather enigmatic figure, bathed in ethereal lights, weaved his vocals through the intricacies of the song, his presence a magnetic force that drew the audience into Milk.'s sonic realm.”
The setlist, a meticulously crafted narrative, unfolded with the raw intensity of "I Hate the Way You're Looking at Me (Lately)." Gorman's fingers danced across his guitar strings, unleashing a sonic storm that reverberated through the venue. The rhythmic pulse of King and Wilson, together, seamlessly transitioned the crowd into the hypnotic embrace of "Treat Me," each beat resonating like a heartbeat synchronized with the collective pulse of the audience. At this point, King really let loose, bopping around on stage with an infectious, wide smile.
A particular highlight of the show was found within the camaraderie between band members McKenna and King, each playing off each other and hyping up the crowd with guitar face-offs and playful head-butting. The entire band has a comforting energy about them, blending perfectly with their dreamy sound.
A poignant interlude followed with the live debut of "I've Got A Friend." McKenna, with a vulnerability that transcended the stage, delivered the song's heartfelt lyrics. The crowd, captivated by the sincerity of the moment, felt like confidants through the band's musical journey of a song.
"In LA." and "You're So." continued this auditory voyage, with the crowd swaying in unison to the infectious rhythms and singing along to the catchy lyrics. The live debuts of "London." and "Temperature" unveiled a new aural spectrum, with Gorman's guitar prowess reaching sublime heights. The sound washed over the intimate venue, painting it with vibrant hues of sound and light.
The introspective tones of "I Don't Mind Falling in Love with You." and "I Might Bore You." provided a reflective respite, the audience being immersed in the intricate layers of Milk.'s songwriting. However, it was during the live debut of "Emotionally Abusive." that the atmosphere reached its zenith. Before the first note resonated across the venue, McKenna stated that this was the track he was most nervous to play because of its emotional ties. His delivery, infused with palpable emotion, turned the performance into an intimate catharsis and left an unforgettable mark on the collective memory of the audience.
Milk. then surprised the crowd with the unreleased gem, "Don't Miss It" during the encore. The atmospheric lights flickered in synchrony with the pulsating beats, creating an ephemeral ambiance that enveloped the venue. The unreleased track, a musical revelation, became an instant favorite, leaving the audience in a euphoric state of awe at this unexpected musical treasure.
“The atmospheric lights flickered in synchrony with the pulsating beats, creating an ephemeral ambiance that enveloped the venue.”
Milk.'s performance at Brighton Music Hall was a flood of raw emotion and musical virtuosity. Each song was a chapter, revealing a new facet of the band's artistry. As they continue their North American tour, each city will be treated to a unique and immersive experience — a testament to the boundless possibilities within Milk.'s evolving sonorous landscape. If you’re looking for a new favorite indie pop band, Milk. is the perfect fit. They’ve got it all: dreamy hooks, down-to-earth lyrics, and the uncanny ability to connect with their fans.
