Jack Antonoff, the talented singer/songwriter and guitarist found fame with pop group Fun and is credited as a co-writer of one of the band's most successful singles 'We Are Young'. He has also written music for pop heavyweights including Taylor Swift and Christina Perri. Whilst on the road with Fun, Antonoff found an outlet for his creative urges whilst travelling from city to city in Bleachers. His side project remained unknown until February 2014 when he released the single 'I Wanna Get Better'.
It received moderate chart success due to the singer's credibilities and notoriety as an artist formerly associated with Fun. Critics enjoyed the shimmering layer of pop gloss that had been applied to this release and the album 'Strange Desire' which came in the summer continued to accumulate accolades. It was released through RCA records and was met with chart success, debuting at #11 on the US Billboard Charts and #19 on the Canadian album charts.
The guitarist has been touring the US tirelessly throughout 2014 to promote the album's release, including at stop off at Austin City Limits. Despite the success and time that Antonoff has invested into this project, he has made it clear this is not a departure from Fun and he still remains committed to the band.
Although Bleachers only recently found their way into the public eye, their infectious melodies and truly impressive live show are tempting music fans of all generations to don the sweatbands and leg warmers characteristic of the iconic time the band represents: a near revival of sorts. At the helm is fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff: deer-in-the-headlights turned rockstar, whose 80s hipster persona and unusual presence lend themselves to the palpable happiness felt by everyone in attendance. The real highlights of any Bleachers show, however, are the live renditions of “I Wanna Get Better,” “Rollercoaster,” “Shadow,” and other crowd favorites, which feature melodies that are simply begging to be shouted without any regard for auditory well-being.
Bleachers is unique among its counterparts in that it boasts two drummers that, when paired with the band’s signature synthesized pop rhythms, create a fuller sound and more intense live experience. Each blistering guitar solo leaves Antonoff in some transient state of bliss achievable only through true musicianship, and the performance is truly captivating. Within minutes, Jack’s taken off his first layer of clothing, sweat is flying, and he’s replaced his initial reserved demeanor with one of confidence and passion.
For those on the fence about attending a Bleachers show, it is important to note that all aspects of it — the lights, the energy, the nostalgia-inducing sing-a-longs — are contagious and will undoubtedly leave you in that lovely state of post-concert haziness for weeks to come.