Balance and Composure debut #LightWeMade at Boot and Saddle - WXPN | Vinyl At Heart
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Balance and Composure | Photo by Sydney Schaefer for WXPN | sydneyschaeferphotos.com

For month now, Balance and Composure have been teasing everyone about their new album, Light We Made, ever since the band made an Instagram post back in April that was captioned, “the record is finished.” To say a new Balance album was highly anticipated is truly an understatement, so naturally, everyone lost their shit. The day finally came yesterday when Light We Made was released for everyone to hear. Front man, Jon Simmons, took to Twitter with directions for everyone listening to the album: “Light we made is out. Turn the lights low, play it loud, get lost.” And that’s exactly what you should do when listening to this album.

With every new album, Balance seems to be changing and evolving their sound and craft, getting better and better each time. The evolution of this band in absolutely astonishing — from their first full-length release, Separation, in 2011, to their 2013 release, The Things We Think We’re Missing, to now, Light We Made. Every album is so different, yet is just so Balance and Composure. Gotta give these guys a hand.

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Wicca Phase Springs Eternal | Photo by Sydney Schaefer for WXPN | sydneyschaeferphotos.com

In honor of Light We Made‘s release yesterday, these Philly ‘burb boys announced a last minute record release show at South Philly’s Boot & Saddle. Opening up for the band last night was Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, also known as Adam McIlwee, who is also known for his work with Tigers Jaw. Simmons of Balance made a brief appearance on stage during Wicca’s set to contribute some vocals.

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Balance and Composure | Photo by Sydney Schaefer for WXPN | sydneyschaeferphotos.com

The decision to have this record release show at Boot & Saddle resulted in an extremely personal and intimate performance by the band and experience for the crowd. But this result isn’t just due to how tiny this space actually is and how many people packed themselves into it, but also because this was the band’s first time ever playing any songs off of Light We Made live. Despite this, Balance was still able to blow everyone away with an incredible performance, per usual. The fact that the band had never played these new songs live before was completely undetectable. And although the stage at Boot & Saddle is extremely small, Balance still put their own spin on it and thrashed around as they always do.

Simmons kept extending his and the band’s endless gratitude for everyone’s constant support over the years, and especially last night. The crowd’s hype vibes were definitely reflected in Balance’s first performance of Light We Made. Of course, songs off of the new record weren’t all the band played. Upon finishing their official Light We Made set, Balance closed their show with an old song, “When I Come Undone” off of The Things We Think We’re Missing.

The band heads out on a fall tour in support of Light We Made (dates below) and returns to Philadelphia on November 18th to headline Union Transfer with Foxing and Mercury Girls. Tickets and more information on that show can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar. Check out more photos from the show below

Balance and Composure setlist

Midnight Zone
Spinning
For a Walk
Is It So Much To Adore?
Postcard
Mediocre Love
Afterparty
When I Come Undone

Tour Dates

10/8 Rough Trade NYC Brooklyn, NY
10/13 The Broadberry Richmond, VA
10/14 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC
10/15 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
10/16 1904 Music Hall Jacksonville, FL
10/18 Kelsey Theatre Lake Park, FL
10/19 The Social Orlando, FL
10/21 White Oak Music Hall Houston, TX
10/22 The Mohawk Austin, TX
10/23 Club Dada Dallas, TX
10/25 The Nile Mesa, AZ
10/27 The North Park Theatre San Diego, CA
10/28 The Regent Los Angeles, CA
10/29 The Catalyst Atrium Santa Cruz, CA
10/30 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
11/1 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR
11/2 The Crocodile Seattle, WA
11/4 The Complex Salt Lake City, UT
11/5 Marquis Theatre Denver, CO
11/6 The Granada Lawrence, KS
11/10 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH
11/11 St. Andrew’s Hall Detroit, MI
11/12 The Opera House Toronto, ON
11/14 Royale Boston, MA
11/15 Port City Music Hall Portland, ME
11/16 College Street Music Hall New Haven, CT
11/17 Warsaw Brooklyn, NY
11/18 Union Transfer Philadelphia, PA
11/19 Baltimore Sound Stage Baltimore, MD

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