Broadside, an alternative rock trio, made an explosive return to their hometown with an animated performance at the Canal Club in Richmond. The band, consisting of Oliver Baxxter, Domenic Reid, and Patrick Diaz, found themselves back in Virginia on the “Tour Story” tour. Not My Weekend, Worry Club and headliner This Wild Life are other phenomenal bands on the tour lineup.
The second Broadside took the stage, the energy in the venue shifted. Excitement washed over the crowd like a wave, turning the mass into an ocean of emotion. Fans took over the sea of passion, crowd-surfing over it to the hard-hitting beats and powerful notes of Broadside’s “One Last Time.”
The band answered to the crowd’s reaction with even more energy, putting everything into the performance. With an intensity like no other, they began to play their hit, “Coffee Talk.” The addictive riffs from Domenic Reid on guitar and Oliver Baxxter’s powerful vocals created the perfect environment for causing chaos and letting out energy while screaming the lyrics back to the group on stage.
Following two more lively songs that compelled everyone in the room to dance, the band switched the mood and slowed it down. The crowd went quiet as Baxxter began to sing to the beautiful melody of the band’s serenade, “I Love You, I Love You, It’s Disgusting.” The acoustic-style performance demanded the fans to come closer to experience the sentiments being poured from Baxxter as he sang. During the transition to the next song, the energy in the room was palpable, so much that it could force chills down your spine.
The lights turned blue and the fans near the front took in a deep breath as they could feel the emotion in Baxxter’s singing. “Bleu,” a song off of their new album, “Hotel Bleu,” is a heavy ballad that brings tears to the eyes and a pain in the chest when listening. Hearing it live is no different an experience, with fans staring at the stage with tears down their faces and hearts on their sleeves. The crowd and Baxxter bore their emotions together as they sang along.
Broadside brought the excitement back threefold with their song “Heavenly.” Patrick Diaz brought out hearty bass riffs that were felt to the bone as fans jumped back and forth with the movement of the crowd. The melody of the mixed voices singing the same song to each other created a euphoric atmosphere that only intensified as the song ended and Baxxter let everyone know that they only had one song left. The energy grew with the final song of their set, “Foolish Believer.” It seemed like the room would explode with the magnitude of passion that both the crowd and the band were putting into the song. With the final notes played, the lights went down, the venue became impossibly louder, and Broadside said a final “thank you” before walking off stage.
Broadside’s homecoming was an emotional performance, for the band and fans alike. From the beginning to the end of their set, they created a once-in-a-lifetime experience, full of fiery riffs, uncompromising drums, and intoxicating vocals. They created a very special type of energy and excitement that can only be felt at a Broadside show. Those who haven’t witnessed their captivating performance should keep an eye out for when they tour next, it isn’t something you’d want to miss.
