A Sunny Day Shines On A Rainy Night

Gails of wind and pouring rain could not stop devoted music fans from packing DC9 for shoegazers A Sunny Day in Glasgow Sunday night. The six piece band from Philadelphia (no, they're not from Scotland) sparkled as they performed songs from their critically
acclaimed 2009 effort "Ashes Grammar."

They played an incredible set, selecting some of the best tracks from the 63 minute album, opening with two of their most popular songs, "The White Witch" and "Failure," moving into "Nitetime Rainbows," also the title track of a seven song EP released earlier this month. The songs sounded even better live than on the album, due largely in part to talented new vocalists Jen Goma and Annie Fredrickson, who replaced former singers Lauren and Robin Daniels.

There was so much going on at any given point onstage it was almost overwhelming, whether it was guitarist Josh Meakim blazing out a solo, Goma and Fredrickson singing intricate harmonies or Ben Daniels playing a number of different instruments, including an electric mandolin on one number.

Fredrickson took time between songs to talk to the audience. "Since we're in DC, I just want to say it's awesome that healthcare passed," she said to a roar of applause. "Well, it could be better, but it's good."

The set wasn't without some surprises. Mixed in with the ethereal, dreamy songs of "Ashes Grammar" were two heavier compositions. Drummer Adam Herndon pounded his crash cymbals and kickdrum while Ryan Newmyer turned his steady bass strumming up in the mix, laying down a menacing rhythmic foundation for Daniels and Meakim to fill out with layers of distorted chords. All the while, Goma and Fredrickson maintained their sweet, melodic vocals with Meakim adding vocoder harmonies. The energy in the room instantly morphed from a euphoric daze to a rock frenzy that was nothing short of spectacular.

A Sunny Day in Glasgow mingled with the ecstatic crowd following the set and thanked fans profusely as they made their way back into the wet DC night craving more.

-Joseph Rabinowitz