Memorial Day Weekend at the Jersey Shore was far from ideal this year. Rain clouds and a harsh cold front rolled in just as the bennies were packing their cars to make their annual pilgrimage down the shore. Umbrellas were already popping up over lines that stretched for blocks outside the Parker House. Most unfortunately, Jack Antonoff’s 8th annual Shadow of the City Festival set to be held at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, had to be called off. Nevertheless, Antonoff and Bleachers refused to let fans leave the weekend empty-handed. They graciously announced that they would be holding a free show, tickets exclusively available to long-time Bleachers fans and Shadow of the City ticketholders, at the iconic Stone Pony. Taking the show indoors meant capping the audience at under 1,000 people – a remarkably intimate venture for a band set to headline Madison Square Garden in just a few weeks.
If you didn’t already know about the Stone Pony, it’s time for a history lesson. The Pony is Asbury Park’s claim to music history fame. The venue is regarded as the birthplace of some true rock legends, such as Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny. As the venue really rose to popularity during the late 80s and the 90s, its stage hosted the likes of Green Day, Blondie, Joan Jett, and even Oasis. Knowing that I could have been there for those shows if I wasn’t busy not being born yet hurts my soul. But nowadays, ask just about any Jersey Shore local, and they’re sure to have am incredible live music memory from the Pony to tell you about. The years of shared community, dancing, sweat, and rock & roll have left the Stone Pony haunted by this indescribable energy that makes any show inside feel really special.
From start to finish, Bleachers’ set was the epitome of everything that the Stone Pony stands for. It was a love letter to the Jersey shore; with Jack Antonoff pausing before performing some older songs to share his reverence for the area, telling us that he had written these songs with the idea of performing them at the Pony in mind. The night stood as a testament to family and community, the main pillars of Jersey-shore-ism (other than, of course, GTL.) Antonoff brought out special guests like his own father to help perform ‘How Dare You Want More,’ and even Annie Dirusso to assist on ‘Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call.’ And, most importantly, it was a masterclass in rock & roll. With fans on shoulders, Jack being hoisted up by the crowd, and a stage packed with musicians throwing a massive wall of sound into the room… everyone left totally drenched in sweat, even despite the uncharacteristically cold weather waiting for them outside.
Being in the crowd at this show felt different than a lot of the other concerts I’ve been to. Of course, the usual front-row fangirls were at the barricade, screaming every lyric and yearning for a moment of eye contact from the band. But the rest of the room was packed with people of all ages. I walked past older couples crammed into the crowd with everyone else, and in that moment, I saw my future. At one point, I found myself standing behind a dad with a toddler on his shoulders. Someone leaned over and asked him, “Baby’s first Bleachers show?” The dad smiled and responded, “Fourth!” I had been out-cool-ed by a three-year-old. But I also saw my future, again, as a dad. It just goes to show the culture in the Bleachers fandom – everyone is welcome, and everyone is there to dance together, no matter the generation.
You can catch Bleachers at MSG in a few weeks, or at any of the rest of their on their summer tour. We highly recommend it. And you can find the full gallery of photos from the night HERE.