Despite being in the industry for 10 years, Weakend Friends still has the hunger of a brand new band.
From the moment their feet hit the stage until the very last note, this indie rock band does not let up with their high-energy performance.
I recently had the opportunity to attend their show at The Drake in Amherst, Massachusetts. This was one of the last shows on their “Feels Like Hell” tour, marking the release of their most recent record.
Before Weakend Friends took over the stage, they had two openers, both local to New England: Perennial and Nova One.
Perennial had a particularly electric energy in their pop-punk sound. The entire band even came into the crowd with their microphones to encourage people to sing along and warm everybody up.
Nova One had more of a mellow pop feel to their music. Donning matching pink wigs and striped shirts, the aesthetic look of the band perfectly suited their dreamy sound.
When Weakend Friends opened their set with “Not for Nothing,” they immediately let the audience know that they are in for a fantastic show.
Throughout the set, it feels like there are barely any opportunities to breathe. The band barrels through each song and rides on the incredible energy they’ve built in the small, intimate venue.
For a three-piece band, Weakend Friends has an extremely powerful pull and stage presence. Bassist Annie Hoffman flew across the stage all night, while drummer Adam Hand kept an intense concentration at the drum set.
Lead singer Sonia Sturino spoke directly to the crowd several times, unafraid to express their anger at the state of the world and to announce their queerness. I was impressed by their way of cathartically releasing that frustration through their music in such a collective setting.
As serious as the band is about their anger, they’re also not afraid to have a little fun. They covered the iconic song “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia and invited the crowd to sing their heart out.
It was the perfect way to tee up the end of their set and close out their night at The Drake. With their unmatched stage presence and uncompromising passion, Weakend Friends is a band that’s meant to perform.
Even though they’re wrapping up their most recent tour, make sure to keep an eye out for the next time they’re in town, as Weakend Friends is an act you’ll want to catch.
