Perfect summer weather helped set the scene just right for an evening of reggae, ska and punk as The Interrupters and Flogging Molly hit the outdoor KEMBA Live! stage for a co-headlining visit on Saturday night.
Four bands on the bill called for early doors as England’s The Skints took to the stage around 6:30 p.m. and gave the early arriving crowd a chilled out set of easy-going reggae.
Psychobilly three-piece Tiger Army were next up with a slightly more up-tempo offering as the KEMBA crowd started to grow for the headlining acts.
First up were The Interrupters, who were an absolute delight to see live. Frontwoman Aimee Interrupter’s constant smile and infectious energy had the crowd fist bumping and singing along from the start of perfect opener “Take Back the Power” to their breakthrough hit and set closer, “She’s Kerosene.”
The KEMBA crowd thinned out a touch after The Interrupters, but there was still a healthy pit to welcome Flogging Molly back to Columbus, and as usual, the Irish/American folk rockers gave their all with an upbeat performance as singer/guitarist Dave King led the band through their large catalogue of Celtic punk.
All photos by Matt Ellis
Matt Ellis is a freelance photographer who covers music that happens in the city and the Columbus Crew SC home games. More photography from Matt can be found at his Instagram page.