Max McNown made an impact on many when he started singing on piers in California. Upon gaining attention, he auditioned for American Idol, but deciding not to continue, he did what he thought was best for himself, fans supporting him every step of the way. Though I have only heard one of Max McNown’s songs but was surprised at how much of his music I sincerely enjoyed. While most artists transition their songs through stories and explanations of the lyrics, I feel that Max is a great storyteller without all of those transition aids. His lyrics are specific and use analogies that I can’t say I have heard very often. A couple of his lighting choices also made him very unique, one being a lemon yellow water reflection light. 

Thinking back on that night, the lighting choice and intimate moments where Max sat on the edge of the stage to brush his hands through the crowd plus maintaining more eye contact while closer to eye level.  “Happiest Band on Earth” is a perfect way to sum up The 502s performance on Thursday, August 22. The smiles were constant the entire time both bands were performing in addition to during the time in between the bands' sets. The 502s started as Ed Isola started jamming out in his college dorm room with his cousin Jake Isola — who lived across from each other in 502, I see it click in your mind right now :). As the duo grew their musical knowledge, they were joined by kindergarten friends Matt Toner(keyboards, guitar) and Joe Capati(Horns), plus Sean Froehlich(drums, percussion) and Nick Melashenk(bass guitar) who the cousins met in college. Their newest member, Graci Phillips(acoustic guitar), is very sweet and soft spoken, she made me think of a meditation coach or a kindergarten teacher. 

It was an interesting effect keeping the set design for the 502s from the beginning to the end of the night. Costume flower leis were placed on each microphone, an array of guitars, banjos, and harmonicas on the corner by the keys and drums. The stage was pretty clustered, amazingly keeping enough space for all band members to join each other in dancing along to their artistic creations. It was easily visible that each band member was close to each other, excited and cheering each other on during each solo. 

The stamina each person has in The 502s is incredible. Start to finish, Joe Capati, the band's horn player, was jumping and kicking much like Dick Van Dyke’s role as Burt in Marry Poppins (1964) who as we all know has an infectious energy that you can’t help but smile and sing along. Joe includes in his instagram bio: “Happiest Horn Player on Earth”. It was truly magical to see every part of the stage and band come together. Their set design included a large neon road sign with the band's name on it and another smaller lit up sign right under it with the words “Happiest Band on Earth”. Behind everyone and everything was a colorful, simple landscape of a road trip. I feel like there are different types of folk music: the kind that you cry to, the kind that you smile to, and the kind that you can picture in a movie, etc. The 502s are exactly what they claim to be…. The Happiest Band on Earth. 

Sean and Nick were seemingly less of the jumper type and more of the “I love what I do and I’ll show it” type of performers; Both are bright people who have an expertise in their instruments that was shown through their solos during the show. Sean threw an unexpected harmonica solo and accompaniment my way which I shouldn’t have been surprised by, but was anyway. Immediately he lit up as he used all of his breath to bring his beautiful cards to the stage. Nick was lit up by the tall road signs on the stage when he did not have a solo, still carrying a large responsibility on his shoulders. During his solos, he strolled front and center striking a few epic poses that are still ingrained in my head. 

Entering the venue, I knew I would enjoy the concert but didn’t know how I would leave. I had known three songs that were played all night and left with a huge smile on my face, standing tall enough that I noticed a difference in my stature, and skipped back to my car. Yes, skipped. 

Review & Photos by: Miriam Wasden

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