LIVE FROM THE PIT: Pool Kids and Sydney Sprague
- Spencer Cunningham
- Feb 27
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Formed in Florida in 2017, POOL KIDS’ signature sound of catchy, math rock along with their fantastic lyricism have propelled the band into the spotlight. After releasing their debut record Music To Practice Safe Sex To, receiving a cosign from Hayley Williams of PARAMORE, and releasing their second self-titled LP with a smattering of tours worldwide to follow. The band graced our shores again on the heels of their third album Easier Said Than Done, this time bringing the fantastic SYDNEY SPRAGUE with them.
As the room began to fill, and the merch desk developed a crowd before the supporting act, there was a semblance of excitement and jubilation making its rounds across the room. There were groups of friends, couples and a few people who had come solo, and began to discover what anyone who frequents emo shows already knows, it was one of the best places to make friends.
The lights began to lower and SYDNEY SPRAGUE took to the stage with her familiar, energetic brand of alt-rock. The band behind her launched into the first single from Peak Experience. Fair Fields was a lovely, acoustic-backed indie triumph that immediately won the crowd over. SYDNEY then immediately jumped the band into As Scared As Can Be with a riff that rivaled some of DRUG CHURCH’s best, this was a very energetic rock song that gave the audience the first pits of the night, a small group of people were jumping and laughing so hard you could feel the first instances of the floor beginning to shake.
Quitter is where SYDNEY’s talent really shined through, another acoustic foray, this time with swelling electric guitars, and vocals rich with reverb. The disco ball in The Deaf Institute felt particularly apt during this track, colouring the room with its intoxicating, reflective camouflage.
Between bands the room again became abuzz with anticipation, SYDNEY had ended asking the crowd if they were ready for POOL KIDS and the answer was a resounding yes. Just like before the show the merch desk became crowded, the bleachers at the end of the room were full of elder emos resting their backs, the barrier was full of excited fans wanting to be close up to the action.
Opening up with Arm’s Length the whole room exploded into a chorus of backing vocals, the floor was again shaking under the vibrance of the fans’ feet and the pit again moving with a ferocity unexpected for a math rock band. Arm’s Length is not only POOL KIDS’ best riff, it is also one of the best songs to come out of the genre in the past twenty years. Andy’s guitar playing was astounding, Caden’s drums were on point, and Christine and Nicolette were absolute commanding forces with the crowd utterly under POOL KIDS thumb.
In between songs the audience was informed by the band that it was drummer Caden’s birthday, the tour manager in the meantime had procured a Domino’s pizza from next door, decorated with candles for Caden to make his wish, he blew out his candles with a huge sing-song from the crowd and an overwhelming cheer. Caden then returned to the night's previous diet of White Claw and milk.
I Hope You’re Right was next, a more chilled out track, hitting themes of neglect in a relationship. This song had the most voices in the room, at times even drowning out the band, the lights again were keeping the room in a beautiful illuminating glow.
That’s Physics, Baby and Leona Street came up next with more wonderful solidarity throughout the room, groups of brand new friends danced together, strangers threw each other around the pit and of course, people bounced and swayed in one spot, smiling and nursing their drinks.
Towards the end of the set, guitarist Andy had a quick word about the state of the world right now, the apparent rise of fascism worldwide, the forces that want to keep us divided and hateful. This got a huge crowd reaction, as everyone in the room stood against the notion of hate dividing any of us. The band then spotlighted a member of the audience who had a written note, to the confusion of the crowd at first. The band then announced that the day after the show, an anti-fascism event with local bands and activists was set to take place at the venue. This act more than any other told everyone the exact type of people POOL KIDS are. A lot of acts spoke out against division and hatred, but very few did their best to further unity like POOL KIDS did, especially in a city they are not familiar with.
As the night began to draw to a close the audience was given a choice between a song from their first record or their self-titled. The decision was unanimous for the S/T. Christine and Andy requested the lights stay on the disco ball for the final song to play the crowd out for the evening, the room again painted in reflective light, small bits of colour from the entire electromagnetic spectrum painted faces, floors and walls as the final pit got underway, this one much bigger than any previous.
POOL KIDS are not only one of the best live acts around right now, but are also one of the greatest math rock/emo acts in the entire world. Their craft, their personalities and their unwillingness to yield to anything less than what they believe is right shone out throughout the night, and they are sure to be one of our favourite bands here at Rage.
Words: Spencer Cunningham
Photos: Lizzie Jones
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