Girl at the Rock Shows

I wouldn’t say that being at The Turf Club on Thursday night was a mistake, but it was a happy little accident. I was going too fast and thought the opener was a different band than it actually was. Come on, people, let’s get a little bit more creative with our band names, please. The Dead Century, Dead History– I mean, am I crazy for mistaking one for the other? That could be the case, but the disappointment I felt when I realized I had made this mistake quickly fell by the wayside as both bands on Thursday night absolutely killed it.

Before I get into both bands that performed, I want to send a heartfelt “feel better” to the local band Turn Turn Turn. They were supposed to play on Thursday night but had to cancel last minute due to illness. I was bummed as this is a band that has been on my “need to see” list for some time, but I’m sure I’ll catch them soon enough.

I last caught opening act The Dead Century (not Dead History) back in November 2023. I made the same comparison about that show that I am going to make when it comes to their set on Thursday night, so brace yourself. The Gaslight Anthem influence that I get from this band is strong, but their performance on Thursday night brought a very Springsteen vibe to the air that I didn’t quite catch onto the first time I saw them. Whether you picked up on the more classic nods throughout their music or that more edgy Americana vibe like Gaslight, you were instantly hooked by this band’s performance. The best thing about The Dead Century (outside of their unique and solid sound) is how tight this band is. Every note is perfectly placed, with every word falling perfectly on top of the instrumentation, yet they don’t come off as stiff. I loved watching the band smile throughout their set, making sure the audience knew they legitimately loved what they were doing up there.

I wouldn’t say I like that I am repeating myself with what I’m saying about this band compared to my last article, but The Dead Century has a distinct sound, style, and performance and doesn’t change. I know that may come off as me trying to say they are boring, but that’s far from the truth. They are a fun band to watch, with an infectious sound and energy. Sure, they bring the same sound and vibes to their shows, but that sound and vibe is done so perfectly. I love seeing a band that doesn’t overthink it. The Dead Century know what they’re doing and they aren’t going to overcomplicate it by trying to reinvent the wheel.

I had a freakout last week when I thought I had double-booked myself. The headliner, Billy Allen + The Pollies, was on the First Avenue schedule for a show last Thursday night at the 7th Street Entry. I had them in my calendar as playing at The Turf Club this Thursday night. I know I’m perpetually exhausted and out of it, but was I really that out of it? It didn’t seem like me but after a quick panic attack and a quick dive into First Avenue’s (the venue that owns both The Entry and Turf) website, I realized this band was playing back-to-back weeks at two different venues. This is a bold move, but after hearing and seeing their set on Thursday night at The Turf Club, I couldn’t help but wish I had been at the previous week’s 7th Street Entry show.

Billy Allen + The Pollies’ sound is a true hybrid, but trying to list all the genres and styles that go into their music would take way too long. Throughout their all-too-short set that lasted just under an hour, I was treated to everything from good old-fashioned rock and roll to gospel with a funk edge. It was a fresh sound that kept me on my toes and was pulled off expertly by all the highly talented musicians who had taken over the intimate stage. I know I’ve said it with a couple of bands, so it’s not a new thing, but seeing a band with five members where, if any of those members hadn’t been there, the sound and vibe would have changed dramatically will always be something that stands out to me. That was precisely what I got from this band on Thursday night. Everyone on that stage brought a special sauce to the performance, and the sound and the way it all swirled together to create a cohesive set was a powerful thing to watch and hear.

Another powerful thing was vocalist Billy Allen. I will never find the right words to describe not only his talent but his charm. Billy had this way of not just looking into the crowd to connect with everyone in attendance but also looking deep down into the soul of everyone there. It was this almost eerie dynamic that felt dangerous and intimidating in a way but, at the same time, felt beautiful and honest. When you thought his way of captivating you couldn’t get any stronger, he would open his mouth and finish the spell he was casting over your bones, heart, and soul. This guy has some freaking pipes. No other way to put it, and he had me and my friends, who had planned on a night of socializing, if I’m being completely honest, with our jaws on the ground and our ears glued to the speakers. It was strange. The friends I was with have a habit of constantly distracting me at shows with conversations and drinks, but we were all silent as Billy Allen + The Pollies played through their set. That alone says a lot about how powerful the performance was.

Showing up to The Turf Club on Thursday night wasn’t a mistake, but I definitely didn’t read things correctly when it came to the opening band. I couldn’t have been happier about this mistake. If Billy Allen + The Pollies ever pull through your town, drop everything and go. Trust me on this.

Line Up:

The Dead Century

Billy Allen + The Pollies

Venue: The Turf Club

Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable

Average Age of the Crowd: 37

Crowd Surfers- None

Stage Divers- None

Dance-ability- 5.8 out of 10

Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- 0

Broken Bones- None Noticed

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None Witnessed

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Idiots Taken Out By Security – 0

How Irritated I Was With The Audience – 0 out of 10

How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-

The Dead Century– 1

Billy Allen + The Pollies – 0

Celebrity Sightings – None

Overall Score –9.6 out of 10

Show on Deck — Pitbull / Ricky Martin / Enrique Iglesias