Megan From Work, Burn Kit, S.C.O.B.Y

at The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH - 8/30/24

I have seen both Megan From Work a handful of times and Burn Kit twice before. Megan, the frontperson, for MFW is always a pleasure to watch on stage. I think they genuinely put the crowd in a good mood. You feel safe and suddenly optimistic about whatever is going on in your life when you watch MFW. Megan has an especially fun, charming, and self deprecating sense of humor that is impossible not to love or be entertained by. Megan From Work also played their new, catchy, single “Girl Suit” which is one of those songs that never leaves your head, even if you’ve only heard it once. But you’ll never hear me complain.

Tino Valpa, the frontman for Burn Kit is an explosion of energy that I have found to be unmatched anywhere else. Especially, in the local music scene. This man doesn’t care if there is 4 people in the crowd or 400, he brings it every time. It’s honestly endearing, you can watch the rest of the band on stage and it’s almost as they’re saying in their head, “And there he goes…” after jumping ten feet into the air off the stage. Something to appreciate about the band Burn Kit is they are always so appreciative of their fans and always willing to talk to you before or after the show. I saw them shaking hands and taking photos with fans after the show. And over and over they were thanking the people who made the show happen during the set. It’s hard not to love a band like that.

S.C.O.B.Y. (Small Communities Opposing Big Yachts) is a band I have never seen before. Once I heard they were from Maine, I was a little partial, being a Mainer myself. Their music was almost math rock-y to a degree. There was singing but mostly instrumental jamming (but not like Phish jamming) executed flawlessy and easy. Honestly they didn’t even need vocals, this was one of those bands that really spoke through their instruments. The trio clearly had a musical symbiosis that was easily recognizable from anywhere in the crowd. Their songs left you eager to see what they would do next. Overall I was highly impressed by their technical ability but also - they were clearly having fun on stage. And that’s what everyone wants to see right?

Photo notes: Unfortunately the Press Room is very dark and uses very saturated red and blue lights which are a photographer’s nightmare. With lots of editing, I was able to get a few images that I would consider “good enough”. Getting a decent shot of the drummer was impossible without flash. The venue is a great place to see live music though. An intimate setting, good sound, and always great acts.