SPACE BACON EXCURSIONS | HARRISBURG | 2022
There is something special about finding a band and supporting them before they ascend to new heights. They come around once every few years. They have character. They have a certain swagger. They have the X factor. You feel connected to them on a deeper level. You’re along for the ride and you’re invested in their success because you believe in them. You see their greatness before the world does and you want to play a part in opening their eyes. You spread the gospel to anyone that is willing to listen.
Born and bred in The Big Apple, Space Bacon is one of those bands. Through a vast web of influences, their sound represents the city that built them. Now it’s time for them to show the world what they’re made of and they’ve been doing just that. Their last show was a prime example of this. Most everyone knows that Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is an inherently special place. It may not jump out on a schedule like New York City, Philadelphia or Boston, but some shows are sleepers for a reason. Fans that weren’t in attendance will have the opportunity to catch the livestream debut this Wednesday on Couchtour.tv - don’t miss it!
The band showed up to Club XL with a sense of tentative urgency. Coming off a monumental show at Bowery Ballroom in New York City, they were excited for the show but were unsure if it’d be able to top the one prior. The venue itself is an amazing stop for any band of their size with a lot of square footage and proper full-scale production. Once the night was underway, it was obvious that it was going to be one of the most epic sets of the tour.
Opening with Cloud Coast > Parallax > Flamethrower, they set the mood and showed that they’re a lot more than just another jamtronica band. The opening composition was emotionally moving and touched all the right places. Guitarist Jack Willard was armed with a new Miami Blue Fender Stratocaster. It shimmered like the Atlantic on a mid August morning. He came to play with a fierceness that invigorated his bandmates to push the envelope; switching back and forth between guitar-driven improvisation and MIDI jams throughout the night.
One of the standout moments was a sit-in from saxophonist Austin Litz for a standalone rendition of Sticky Fingers. It was psychedelic with fluidity from start to finish. Be sure to check out the SBD recording on their Bandcamp. It was one of the most unique sit-ins in recent Bacon history. The guy is an incredible sax player. The heavy groove had the crowd swaying back and forth with smiles stretched across their faces.
The encore segment is a must-listen for new and old Bacon fans. Silencer > Loom features some of their most thematic sound design as of late. It is patient and purposeful. Each member throws a fruitful contribution into the mix to blend up an engaging live moment that is seamlessly translated in the soundboard recording. Drummer Sam Crespo made great use of his Roland Octopad. He brought us to the Caribbean with afro-cuban drums that activated the tribal energy that lies deep within us. The crowd reacted as expected. I was very close to busting out my infamous rain dance from Camp Bisco 10, but I didn’t want the patron saints of Harrisburg to get soaked.
This show was a continuation of the band’s evident elevation. They’re taking bigger risks and bringing their jams further and further into the abyss. They’re keeping things fresh and they’re having fun doing it. Space Bacon has captured lightning in a bottle and they’re going to shake it up every time they hit the stage this year. Be sure to catch them on one of their upcoming dates. Some bands just have “it” and they continue to show and prove that they are one of them.
