Photography: Thursday, Cursive, The Appleseed Cast, Nate Bergman

Posted: 1st February, 2022 by The Editor

Thursday took to the stage at the Palladium in Worcester despite frigid temperatures and a still-active pandemic that aims to derail tour after tour. But the New Jersey post-hardcore staples pushed on, delivering a set that would please casual and diehard fans alike (although I suppose if you’re heading to Worcester in the dead of winter during a pandemic to see a band you better well be a die-hard).

Opening up the night was Washington, DC singer-songwriter Nate Bergman, who brought some soulful, full throated solo blues rock to the proceedings, including a belter of a cover of Robyn’s perennial piece of pop perfection, “Dancing (On My Own). And this wouldn’t be the last we saw of Bergman that night.

Next up were personal favorite (one of my short lived bands covered “Song 3” for a while as warmup for our rehearsals…ahhhhhh the before times…) The Appleseed Cast…well, a solo set from lead singer Chris Crisci, at least. But he belted out (with a few backing tracks here and there) a career-spanning Appleseed Cast set to the auditorium in Worcester, only briefly pausing to, of course, comment on the awkwardness of performing without the rest of the band behind him. However, he wouldn’t be solo the whole time – Tim Kasher and Nate Bergman hopped on stage to add some extra noise to an impromptu end of set jam.

Next up were Cursive, who were able to bring the full set up (strings and horns) to the stage. Always energetic, always animated, bordering on chaotic, Cursive delivered their usual manic, artful emo/indie rock to an audience that…yes somehow started moshing? During a Cursive set? Granted I wasn’t around for the earlier days of Cursive, but whatever, it was nice to see people throwing some elbows and shoulders during “Some Red-Handed Sleight Of Hand.”

Thursday at the Palladium. I said it before, I’ll say it again: this is a combination that just makes sense. The New Brunswick band have a long history with the venue, and every time they play there they act like they’re playing a venue four times its size. Joining Thursday on this show was Norman Brannon of emo heroes Texas Is The Reason. They blasted through their set, Geoff Rickly animated as ever, playing post-hardcore preacher to a crowd ever-ready to reach out their hands as he belted out lines from favorites like “For the Workforce, Drowning,” “War All The Time,” and “Cross Out The Eyes.” And, for the people who miss Texas Is The Reason (raises hand even thought I never got a chance to see them live), Thursday blasted out a cover of the NY emo OG’s “If It’s Here When We Get Back It’s Ours.”

Venues might not be the most full right now, but kudos to Thursday and crew for continuing on their way with this tour as safely as possible.