Badflower rocked a packed house at The Orpheum in Tampa on Tuesday, October 22nd. They are currently a little over halfway through a 28-city fall tour supporting their debut album OK, I’m Sick. Badflower is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California around 2011/2012. Lead by front-man Josh Katz, with Joey Morrow (Guitar), Alex Espiritu (Bass), and Anthony Sonetti (Drums), they have carved their way into the mainstream rock scene.
I admit that I hadn’t heard of Badflower until late 2018, when our local radio station WJRR 101.1 added “Ghost” to their rotation. The first time I heard that song I was shocked and moved by the raw emotion pouring out over the airwaves, at the same time shining a light on issues that seem taboo. I was instantly drawn in, and I needed to see what these guys were about. As a person who has dealt with Anxiety and PTSD for most of my adult life, I couldn’t believe how many of their songs spoke to me. Real-life experiences are shared in each note and lyric. Mental illness, politics, and addiction have long been controversial subjects and here is this band that openly lays it all out there. Then back it up with powerful music. These four guys have an uncanny ability to pour out their feelings through each and every note, at least that is how their music has touched me personally since day one.
I had an opportunity to photograph Badflower at WJRR’s Earthday Birthday in April of 2019 and just a few weeks later, had the chance to see them perform at Welcome to Rockville in Jacksonville, Fl. Both are annual, outdoor music festivals that we have here in the Sunshine state. Seeing them twice so close together only made me want to see them again, and as often as possible. When I learned that this Fall tour was going to bring them through central Florida, I immediately jumped at the chance to cover this show.
I arrived at The Orpheum, an intimate venue in Tampa, around 5 pm on Tuesday afternoon. Doors opened at 7, but since I have never shot at this venue, I wanted to be early. There were two lines already formed, one for the Meet & Greet and one for us commoners who were just there for the music (and maybe a few pics). The doors opened on time and the fans started trickling in. There is a small buffer between the stage and the crowd, giving a more up close and personal experience. By the time the music started withDead Poet Society and Weathers, the place was packed and primed for what was to be an ass-kicking show.
Josh, Joey, Anthony, and Alex took the stage and the show went to one thousand in an instant. The set opened with “Wide Eyes”, followed by one of my favorites, “x ANA x”. While performing “Die”, Spencer Chamberlain, lead vocalist for Underoath, briefly came on stage and interacted with the crowd. The fans sang along as they performed well-known songs “Move Me”, “Animal” and “Let The Band Play”. The night was FULL of non-stop music, wild lighting, and pure energy and when you thought it was over, they brought back a 3 song encore made up of “Heroin”, “Ghost”, and “Promise Me”. The crowd erupted in applause and the ride was over.
Badflower is about their music and their audience, period. There is a big difference between their interactions with the crowd at a festival versus a more intimate venue like this one. In this smaller venue, they seemed more relaxed and more at home. Don’t get me wrong, Badflower is phenomenal and brings down the house no matter what size the stage or crowd, but in this space, on this night, they looked like they were home. The way Josh engaged the audience with his wisecracks, crazy side-eye stare, and those freaky backbends, is a talent in and of itself. All in all, I would have to rate this as one of the best shows I’ve attended to date. This band has easily solidified its place in my top five favorites to see live and I hope they are around for many years to come. Judging by the 3 shows I have seen them perform, they aren’t going anywhere but up. If you haven’t seen them perform, treat yourself and go to a show. If you have never heard them, their new album OK, I’m Sick is available everywhere. Go get it.
Enjoy these photos of Badflower performing at The Orpheum on October 22nd. All photos copyright and courtesy of Chris Cornett Photography.
Additional Music Links:
Dead Poet Society
.swvrm.
CoDA
American Blood
