{"id":127277,"date":"2023-11-21T12:00:56","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T17:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/?p=127277"},"modified":"2023-11-21T11:21:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T16:21:14","slug":"peter-mcpoland-brings-raw-passion-and-energy-to-the-930-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/peter-mcpoland-brings-raw-passion-and-energy-to-the-930-club\/","title":{"rendered":"Peter McPoland Brings Raw Passion And Energy To The 9:30 Club"},"content":{"rendered":"

The indie-rock TikTok icon Peter McPoland<\/a><\/strong> took the stage by storm at the 9:30 Club<\/strong> on Friday. With his life-size pig and four-piece band, McPoland had fans dancing and screaming his lyrics right back at him.<\/p>\n

Before I dive too far into the evening, I just want to express my gratitude to Peter McPoland for doing what he does. To me, McPoland exemplifies the beauty and versatility that is music, and music is food for the soul.<\/p>\n

Tears instantly streamed down my face the moment I heard the beginning chords of \u201cString Lights\u201d from his first album Slow Down. I have a lot of emotions attached to that song. <\/p>\n

My grandfather passed away just over a year ago, and \u201cString Lights\u201d was the very first song that I listened to after I had heard the news. The song took on a different meaning, and now I always think of that moment when I hear it. But getting to hear it live and see McPoland perform it with such passion was therapeutic. That\u2019s what good music does\u2014it allows you to unapologetically feel raw emotions. This was truly one of the most emotionally fulfilling concerts I\u2019ve ever seen.<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

With the support of opener Stephen Dawes<\/strong>, McPoland has been on his North American tour since the middle of October, with his third-to-last stop in Washington, D.C. This show on his Piggy<\/em> album tour was an hour and a half of pure passion. He has been described by many as an \u201cindie rock\u201d artist, but he is an incredibly versatile artist with a repertoire that ranges from melodic, heartfelt ballads to high energy headbangers. <\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

McPoland set the tone for the rest of the show by opening with \u201cMold,\u201d the first song on his new album Piggy<\/em>. The song was like a constant stream of energy that coursed through the audiences\u2019 bodies and ignited them for the entirety of the show.<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

McPoland gained fame by posting videos of his music on TikTok, releasing his first single, \u201cLady Bird,\u201d in 2018. With his first album, Slow Down<\/em>, released in 2022 and now 2023\u2019s Piggy, McPoland has made a name for himself, especially among the Gen Z demographic. His music appeals to a wide variety of audiences due to its versatility and relatability. Most of the tour\u2019s set list<\/a> consisted of songs from Piggy<\/em>, but he also sang some of his \u201chits\u201d from Slow Down <\/em>as well as his singles like \u201cShit Show\u201d\u2014a very self-aware song for a live concert\u2014and \u201cRomeo & Juliet\u201d\u2014the song that launched his career.<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

Peter McPoland connecting with his adoring audience<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

McPoland spent a good portion of his tour jumping into the crowd and moshing with his fans during his song \u201cTurn Off The Noise,\u201d but he broke his foot at his show at the House of Blues<\/a> in Chicago and has been in a boot since then. Therefore, when he sang this song, Stephen Dawes came back onstage to sing the beginning of the song and mosh with the crowd in place of McPoland while he hopped around onstage on his good foot.<\/p>\n

Thanks to his TikTok videos of his tour highlights and behind the scenes, fans knew that he had broken his foot, but many were surprised when Dawes came back out to mosh with them. Despite McPoland\u2019s injury, he still danced a lot onstage, inspiring the crowd to do the same.<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

Peter McPoland and his broken foot<\/p>\n

\u201cTurn Off The Noise\u201d was McPoland\u2019s favorite song to perform, as stated in a TikTok video<\/a>, but now it\u2019s \u201cDog,\u201d which is a heart-wrenching song about an abusive and controlling relationship. When talking about difficult topics such as this, Gen Z often copes with humor. McPoland would occasionally bark, causing the fans to bark back. There is no shortage of animal references on this tour.<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

A few adoring fans tossed some gifts onstage for him, including a few stuffed pigs, a poster with his lyrics \u201cI need you, I miss you, I love you\u201d from his song \u201cI Need You,\u201d and a bald cap, which he proceeded to put on his head before singing his next song.<\/p>\n

McPoland connected with his fans at the 9:30 Club on Friday night. He frequently asked the crowd if they were \u201cdoing good\u201d and wanted to make sure everyone was having fun. Towards the end of the show, he said, \u201cWe have a few songs left; it\u2019s up to you to make this the best f***ing night of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

Peter McPoland with some gifts from the crowd<\/p>\n

The first ever show that McPoland played with his current four-piece band was in Washington, D.C., so he said it was really special for them to be back. McPoland also played his red electric guitar for a few songs. At one point while he was playing the guitar, his microphone stand fell over. Rather than picking it up, he laid on the ground with his guitar to finish singing the song. <\/p>\n

He also told a few anecdotes about some of his songs. Before he sang \u201cSaint Peter,\u201d which McPoland said on Twitter<\/a> was not on the album for personal reasons, he described an experience he had while working at Domino’s Pizza that inspired the song. He left the faucet on in the kitchen while he was out delivering a pizza, so when he came back the kitchen was covered in water. The seemingly silly story contrasted with the melancholy song about feeling incompetent.<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

Piggy<\/em> is much more rock-oriented than his first album or even most of his singles, and it is even reminiscent of 1980s alternative or synth rock bands such as Depeche Mode<\/strong>. The setting matched the vibe of the album too, with a stage fit with a black curtain and multicolored bright lights. With its catchy, repetitive themes and quick-paced drum beats in each song, the album is like a shock to the nervous system that excites the senses and makes the listener feel so many emotions all at once. <\/p>\n

\"Peter\"Peter<\/p>\n

Overall, Piggy<\/em> is a coming-of-age album that explores the angst and emotions of growing up in the digital age. Given that McPoland gained his following on TikTok, it is like an introspective look into his brain. His first single off the album, \u201cDigital Silence<\/a>,\u201d which was released four months prior to the album, set that tone and became Piggy\u2019s anthem. The song is about wanting to get everyone to love you and learning to accept that the world is not as perfect as you may have imagined it. Fans sang the words back to him throughout the concert, but they were especially loud during this one.<\/p>\n

McPoland knows how to put on an entertaining show. He lit up the stage, danced around, sang his heart out, and shared his art across the country. Anyone in the audience could tell just how much his music means to his fans\u2013not just to me. McPoland is really something special for this generation of music listeners.<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/p>\n

Peter McPoland loves his audience and we love him right back!<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enjoy photos by our photographer Jess Daninhirsch<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Peter McPoland<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholderStephen Dawes<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Stephen\"Stephen\"Stephen<\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you tried TIDAL<\/a> yet?  They have some of the best streaming sound out there with multiple subscription plans including a free version<\/span><\/strong> in addition to HiDef, Family, and Student packages.  Click here for more Information<\/a> about available packages.<\/p>\n

Peter McPoland<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Stephen Dawes<\/u><\/strong><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To learn more about Peter McPoland<\/strong>, please see the following web resources:<\/p>\n