The Story So Far at the Phoenix Concert Theatre

Written by Martha Segovia.

The Story So Far of Walnut Creek, California, packed the Phoenix Concert Theatre once again. The night began with local band Long Road Act starting the show. With the tour came the initiative of local acts choosing a non-profit of choice to receive donations on a nightly basis. Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Drive was chosen as the night’s recipients of donations with raffle prizes from the line-up given to the winner.

As the venue packed with eager concertgoers, the energy was mounting as each pop-punk act took the stage. After the local band of the night, Turnover of Virginia Beach continued rising the energy in the room. Before the headliners were Basement, the only band on the bill from across the ocean took the stage with a fury. The leader singer kept inviting fans on stage for what was a night of stage diving, as there was no barricade separating the floor and stage. 

When the clock struck 10, The Story So Far finally began their set of nearly 20 tracks. With the release of the band’s third studio release, the set list included new and old songs nevertheless; fans sang aloud verse after verse with enigmatic lead singer, Parker Cannon. As base lines were heard throughout the Phoenix, fans were kept satisfied and off their feet. Even though Cannon kept poking fun at half-hearted attempts from stage-divers, particularly, the young girls in the audience, it was clear the music trumped the night over attitudes from the stage. He mentioned, “Solo” off the self-titled release was written in Toronto, which gave fans something to rave about. As the energetic set rolled on, the band took time to slow down the night with a favourite track, “Clairvoyant” had Cannon singing a laid-back vocal performance different than his usual attempt. Thus, The Story So Far brought their known style to the night, as concertgoers were kept well occupied during the set. It was clear a new generation of pop-punk fans keep bands like the tour’s bill going night after night.

Thanks to Collective Concerts for media access.