AS IT IS AT HOUSE OF INDEPENDENTS IN ASBURY PARK, NJ
As It Is are back on the road and touring the U.S. in celebration of their last album “The Great Depression”. Joining them on this tour are Point North, Hold Close, and Sharptooth. I recently attended the Asbury Park show at House of Independence and it was an absolutely wild time.
Opening the show was Point North, a pop punk band from California. You could tell the night was going to be good just from the energy this band puts out on stage. You could tell that the band really gives it their all whenever they perform. The crowd was having a great time too. Up next on the stage was Hold Close, and they mellowed out the mood. This band provided really nice contrast after Point North and gave listeners a chance to relax a little while still jamming out.
Coming to the stage after Hold Close was Sharptooth. The minute the lights dimmed the majority of the floor became a huge pit with people circling inside like sharks. All I could say the entire performance was, “OH MY GOD”. I was blown away by the band’s stage presence. From start to finish Sharptooth took command of the stage and exerted all of the energy they could give plus more. I absolutely loved that frontwoman Lauren Kashan used her platform to spread a word of love and hope. Her wild attitude and “take no shit” demeanor was incredibly inspiring as a woman in the scene. On top of all of this, her guttural screams were so powerful I could feel them deep down inside my own being. At the end she scaled the pushed up bleacher type seats against the wall and it was truly a jaw dropping moment.
When As It Is took the stage as the headliner for the night, I could feel the instant joy coming from their fans. From the minute they stepped on stage, As It Is established a fun, carefree atmosphere. The liveliness each member displayed as they danced, jumped, and spun around the stage was contagious. Crowd members were in pure euphoria singing along to their favorite tracks such as “Dial Tones”, “Cheap Shots & Setbacks”, and even their cover of “Such Great Heights”. House of Independence being a no barricade venue had fans crowd surfing up to the front and stage diving back in. Parts of the show almost seemed like pure chaos, but it was beautiful. As It Is played one of the most entertaining sets I have seen in a long time. Watching the band interact with their fans, or watching Patty Walters swing his microphone around himself and up in the air was exciting. The energy never stopped.
If you are able to make it out to any of the shows on this tour, you won’t be disappointed. Make sure you bring some comfortable shoes because these bands will absolutely have you off your feet and jumping the entire night. As It Is are a band that will absolutely blow you away and give you the best night you could have.
Nicole DiBenedetto is a photographer based out of New Jersey. She likes making new friends and meeting new people so catch her out in the pit and say hi!