Los Angeles, CA- It’s not often that I get hooked on a band with just one song … and if that happens, I always hold my breath until I get to see how good that band is live. The Night Game hooked me with their catchy, new wave pop gem “The Outfield”. Their performance at The Bootleg Theater on 5/16/17 made me fan.
The Night Game is fronted by Martin Johnson, a singer/songwriter who also fronts the pop-rock band Boys Like Girls and has written and/or produced chart topping hits for the likes of Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift, Jason Derulo and Christina Perri among others. But don’t let the impressive list of pop-artists deceive you, because The Night Game’s music, while “pop” in that I think it can surely appeal to the masses, is new wave rock that fuses various genres. Though it was the first time I had ever heard their music (as none of it, other than “The Outfield”, is currently available to the public), it was infectious, sprinkled with an assortment of kinetic rockers and melodious hooks that after one listen was bound to have you humming along during the second pass through the chorus.
Martin Johnson donned the cap of the charismatic front-man, never missing a moment to use his body, his eyes or his guitar to bring his lyrics to life. He commanded the sold-out venue’s attention, and there was nary a whisper of side chatter (as far as I could hear) during any part of the performance. And though one may have been focused solely on Mr. Johnson and his music, it would be a shame not to pay any heed to his talented players, especially his guitarist Kirin J Callinan, whose skills and charisma on the axe were on par with the energy Martin was able to put out.
The Night Game will be opening for John Mayer’s arena tour this Summer. If you are planning on attending any of the performances, I HIGHLY recommend getting to the venue early for The Night Game. I’m pretty much guaranteeing that you won’t be disappointed.
Follow The Night Game on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
LIVE CLIPS
The Night Game at Bootleg Theater 5/16/17. Review and photos coming soon to @BlurredCulture! pic.twitter.com/yVX1v4OR3t
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) June 5, 2017
The Night Game at Bootleg Theater 5/16/17. Review and photos coming soon to @BlurredCulture! pic.twitter.com/ZNGDNgSvMp
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) June 5, 2017
