Paper Route at Red Palace

Merrijoy June 26, 2012 DC Live, events, News No Comments

It’s been three years (three LONG years) since Paper Route had graced the DC crowd with their presence but they finally made it back to the district during their short East Coast tour. What can you say about a band that has gone through many obstacles, having been tested through many frustrations and are still able to provide their fans a flawless live show? Frontman JT Daly summed it up best when he said, “We are one of the most blessed bands…” The Nashville trio had not missed a single beat from the last time I had seen them and that is a wonderful thing to experience.

Opening up the night for Paper Route were local band Prisms and new Nashville band Halfnoise. While I didn’t get to thoroughly listen to Prisms as much as I should have, I can say a few things about Halfnoise. It’s a different market to see Zac Farro (formerly of Paramore) singing in his own band but he pulled it off. Not really knowing what to expect from this new band, I was told there would be A LOT of drumming…and there was. Joining him on stage were members of Paper Route (Gavin, Josh, and Nick) and each song on the set would involve some sort of drum breakdown between Zac, Gavin, and Josh. Pretty sweet drumline thing going on there. The beats stood out more to be than the actually singing did, but I’m assuming that was because of it being in a live venue. Free the House, which Halfnoise has released an official video for sounds amazing, so I know the new EP should be nothing short of it. Another thing to look forward to.

Next up, Paper Route. The crowd hooting and hollering as we waited for the five of them to come out. Right off the bat the band heads into Carousel, Are We All Forgotten, and Wish from their debut album Absence. It was the moment when JT sang “What are you waiting for?” during Are We All Forgotten and allowing the crowd to sing along with him that I realized these guys still know how to kill it live. And mind you, this is early on into the set. The rest of the night was bound to be of amazement and it was just that. The next couple of songs were a glimpse into what will be featured on their sophomore album, The Peace of Wild Things. The reception was great, the songs were great. It’s safe to say that Paper Route fans will deem this album worth the wait come September when it’s released. It was a delight to see You Kill Me from their first EP still on their set mostly because it was my favorite track and that breakdown with the bells and Josh Orr’s accordion (named Sue) never gets old! But the highlight of the night belonged to an even older track that the guys brought back into the set called Second Chances. JT, Gavin, Josh, and Sue were with the crowd, singing this song about love, loss, and forgiveness. The emotion was sincere as the crowd sang along with the harmony at the end of it all. It honestly was one of those great experiences one could have as part of a crowd.

Three years was nothing but a time period that made Paper Route a stronger group. I look forward to the new album and to seeing them when they come back to DC.

Check out our photos from the show down below along with a video of second chances!