Photos and Review by Michelle Cucchiaro
Show Photos HERE
I was asked to head down to TT the Bear’s in Cambridge to fill in for another photographer. The artist(s) dujour was a band called Flyleaf. Opening were a couple of other bands, notably Lullwater out of Georgia. Honestly, I had no idea what I was in for as I’d never heard of the headlining Flyleaf despite the fact that they’ve been around for over a decade. No worries, I brought them up on YouTube, liked what I saw and figured it would be a good night. I’m always up for something new and you should be too. It’s the only way to broaden your musical horizons.
Cambridge is a college town with lots of arts and plenty of entertainment. Having said that, I haven’t spent a lot of time there. While I’d heard of TT the Bears, I wasn’t sure what to expect. With the help of Siri I found my way to a convenient parking garage just around the corner from the venue. The odd bonus is that it was extremely affordable and surprising too considering it’s heart-of-the-city location. I paid $4.50 to park my car for the night!
As I made my way thru the door I was greeted by acoustic intensity and a voice that can only be compared to emotional soul baring. It was beautiful but I got there late and was only present for the final song of his set. I did, however, like what I heard. His sound cloud is chock full of goodies so take a listen when you get the chance.
I looked around while the next band set up. TT the Bears is a tiny venue. It’s dark, very dark. While the fact that it’s dark, very dark, may not matter to most, it mattered to me because I was there to take pictures. You can’t take pictures in the dark. Beyond lighting challenges, this venue is what you’d expect from a tiny bar in the artsy part of town. There are gargoyles perched up high in the corners of the room that houses a small horseshoe shaped bar. There are two pool tables for those who wish to play but this venue’s main focus is the music. Staff are courteous and friendly and the clientele are essentially college students with a smattering of more mature folks. While concert goers on this night were all well behaved, the sign on the door that cautions against moshing and stage diving makes me wonder if things can get a little wild.
Up next was Lullwater. These guys are ones to watch for sure. I loved their sound and in keeping with what appeared to me as an emerging theme for the evening, their music is emotionally charged and amazingly intense. I liked them and I hope I see them again. Rock on gentlemen!
After a quick stage change and set up, Flyleaf readied to take the stage. As I stood stage side a stage hand walked the full length of the stage and warned us to keep back and to expect Flyleaf to be “all over the place”. I had no idea….but I learned quickly. There is no shortage of energy with this alternative rock band. Again, in keeping with the evening’s theme they are emotionally charged and they were, in fact, everywhere. They rocked and rolled and jumped around that stage like nothing I’d ever seen before–from such a close vantage point anyway. How Kristen May (lead vocals) can explode around the stage and belt out songs the way she does is amazing to me but she does it and she nails it every time! These guys are amazing!!! I absolutely loved their sound, their energy and the way they instantly connect with their audience. At one point I lost sight of Kristen but the crowd let me know where she was….. yep, she had launched herself into the crowd and was, at that moment, being passed around the room and then, finally, delivered back to the stage by her adoring fans, safe and sound. They loved it, she was connecting with them and that’s why they come out to see Flyleaf. It was actual affection between band and concert goer and an interesting experience to say the least.
Great show, great bands, great time!
Meet the band
Kristen May – vocals
Sameer Bhattacharya – guitar
Jared Hartmann – guitar
Pat Seals – bass
James Culpepper – drums
Flyleaf Set List
Fully Alive
Again
Set Me On Fire
Thread
Cassie
Traitor
Magnetic
Platonic
Head Under Water
Marionette
All Around Me
Great Love
City Kids
So Sick
So I Thought