SAINT MOTEL | A FUN ADVENTURE
This show was one of the best shows of the year so far. I had no idea what to expect from Saint Motel but heard many good things about their stage performance. I did not do any YouTube searches because I wanted to walk into their show with fresh eyes. I was smiling the entire time because this band knows how to put on a good show and embrace their fans with nothing but happiness and love.
The show started with a very fun duo called Kolars that feature members Rob Kolar and Lauren Brown. This duo was really entertaining and sounded great. Lauren Brown brought fun facial expressions to your stage performance as well as hard hitting drum rhythms and beats. Rob Kolar really hit it out of the park with his vocal performance and constant energy. They sounded great and I really enjoyed their music.
Stain Motel started off their show with a “winter voyager” style opening. A. J. Jackson (lead vocals and piano) walked out into the pit a heavy dark red coat on with a hoodie that covered his head. He had a lamp in his hand walking up to the fans in the front row acting as if he was searching for something. Once the music started playing, he ducked back down in front of the stage then popped back up revealing himself and joined the band. You can see by the fan’s reaction in the picture above that some fans knew it was A.J. After he had joined the band on stage the crowd went wild. This show was almost sold out and the Ritz was packed from front to back.
The band had several different “sections” or “parts” to their show. At one point there was a person dressed as an alien running through the crowd and A.J was dressed as an astronaut. He also dressed up as a general during part of the show, so basically it was a very entertaining show with some amazing music. The band was full of energy and engaged the fans during every song. Towards the end of their set A.J ran out into the crowd of music fans then walked up to the second level of the venue and sang with fans up their as well. The entire place was bursting with love, happiness and just fun energy. At one point everyone in the venue was jumping up and down at the same time creating this almost “wave” like motion, it was incredible to see.
The entire band was full of this energy and they were spreading the love to everyone. They sounded amazing, strong and on key. The light show was crazy yet balanced and you saw each band member smiling and seemed very happy to be there. They are currently on tour and you should check out their show! You won’t be disappointed.
~ Lead Photographer Chris Sturk
https://www.saintmotel.com/