Oliver Tree's "Alone in the Crowd" Tour: A Night of Energetic Performances and Unconventional Entertainment - i99Radio, Philadelphia's Alternative Rock!

Bayside returned to Philly this past week for a two night stand celebrating their music both old and new. i99Radio was on the scene to capture night one of two. For the first night, Bayside brought songs from their early years, 2004 to 2008. For many of us, it takes us back instantly to the songs of our childhood, middle and high school years, and the audience spanning Gen X to Gen Alpha came ready to rock.

Long Island, NY’s The Sleeping started the night off and brought their unique blend of post-hardcore and raw energy to the stage that really got the audience going. People thrashed around and sang along, and even a toddler hopping up on his dad’s shoulders to get a better view of frontman Doug Robinson, who climbed up to the barrier, putting his microphone up to fans to sing along with them, and eventually even crowdsurfing above their heads at one point. The band has been experiencing a revival since their reunion in 2022 and their fantastic newest album, “I Feel Like I’m Becoming a Ghost”, dropping in 2023.

Bayside then took the stage, kicking off their set with the classic track, “Montauk”, from their second self-titled album. Frontman Anthony Ranieri commented how their idea for the “Errors Tour” came about when they wanted to play 44 songs in each city, instead of just 22. He talked about how the band has so many songs that fans love from all across their career, but not enough time to play them all, so they thought, “why not just play 2 nights in every city?”

The night of classic nostalgia continued on, with the band delivering high-energy versions of much loved tracks from their third album, 2007’s “The Walking Wounded”, like “Duality”, “I and I”, and the ballad “Landing Feet First” (of which started a massive audience singalong). The band also reached far back in their discography, playing tracks from their first years as a band, like “Masterpiece”, “Guardrail” and “Kellum”, off of the first album, 2004’s “Sirens and Condolences.” The audience was audibly excited by this, as these tracks are very rarely played live. The audience cheered loudly and unleashed a constant stream of crowd-surfers to the front of stage as they ripped through these classic tracks. The “newest” songs they played for night 1 were tracks from 2008’s classic album, “Shudder”, like “Boy”, “No One Understands” and “The Ghost of St. Valentine”. Again, many of these tracks haven’t been played since the Shudder Tour in 2008 so hearing these songs was certainly a treat for the audience.

Bayside’s show at Brooklyn Bowl was a testament to how the songs we grew up with are forever engrained in our DNA, the music grows with us and becomes a part of us as we grow older, but we never forget the songs that influenced us almost two decades ago. The 1,000 people in the audience who turned up to sing every word of these songs that are almost 20 years old now proves this to be true and Bayside to be a band close to so many people’s hearts.

Photos by Dave Avidan

On the evening of Saturday, January 20th, The Met in Philadelphia became the epicenter of an electrifying spectacle as alternative rock sensation Oliver Tree brought his “Alone in the Crowd” tour to town. With opening acts FIDLAR and Jasiah setting the stage on fire, the night unfolded as a multifaceted experience combining humor, music, and theatricality.

Oliver Tree, known for his eccentric stage presence, kicked off the show in an unconventional manner. Seated on a couch with his back to the audience, he humorously declared the show canceled and urged everyone to go home without offering refunds. The crowd, familiar with Oliver’s playful character, embraced the jest, setting the tone for an evening filled with surprises.

The couch, serving as the epicenter of the performance, became a prop for Oliver’s comedic genius. Utilizing a human-sized remote control, he navigated through a series of funny videos and mini-movies, seamlessly embodying various characters. Fast-forwarding, pausing, and rewinding with precision, Oliver’s performance was not just a concert but a cinematic experience that left the audience in stitches.

As the laughter subsided, the couch turned around, marking the beginning of the musical portion of the set. The transition from humor to music was seamless, creating a unique blend of a movie, play, and concert all rolled into one unforgettable experience. Oliver Tree’s energy radiated through the venue, captivating every member of the audience.

The setlist showcased Oliver Tree’s versatility, featuring hits like “Miss You,” “Bounce,” “Alien Boy,” and “Cash Machine.” Noteworthy surprises included covers of “When I’m Down” and “Do You Feel Me?” performed in collaboration with Whethan, adding an extra layer of excitement to the evening.

As the final notes echoed through The Met and the curtain fell on Oliver Tree’s “Alone in the Crowd” tour, the night remained etched in the memories of those fortunate enough to witness this extraordinary performance. From the initial comedic twist to the seamless fusion of music and theatrics, Oliver Tree left an indelible mark on Philadelphia. The energy, the laughter, and the sheer artistic brilliance of the evening will resonate with fans and newcomers alike.

Oliver Tree’s ability to transcend traditional concert experiences, combining humor and music in a way that feels both innovative and genuine, reaffirms his position as a trailblazer in the alternative rock scene. This was more than a concert; it was a captivating journey into the heart of Oliver Tree’s creative universe, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating his next move on.

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Oliver Tree’s “Alone in the Crowd” Tour: A Night of Energetic Performances and Unconventional Entertainment