The Faim And Andy Black Knock Away The Rainy Day Blues At The Varsity Theater

Sometimes you rely on music for an escape, sometimes to make you feel alive, and sometimes to get you back on your feet. After not being able to cover The 1975 at The Armory last night due to a horrific stomach bug, I was in desperate need of a pick me up. I spent all of Tuesday in bed and was feeling bummed about missing such a massive show. So of course, what better way to cure my blues than to jump right back into it and see another show as soon as I was feeling better? Wednesday afternoon, the sunshine that we have been treated to in the Twin Cities was gone, but that didn’t stop The Faim and Andy Black from bringing the good summer vibes alive at The Varsity Theater.

Unfortunately, due to the early start time (6:30pm) I missed the first opening band, Kulick. While I cannot comment on the band’s performance, as soon as I walked in the doors, I saw a line of people waiting to take pictures and get autographs from the band at their merch booth. To me, this was a sign that they not only rocked the crowd but pleased the people. It’s always a good to see bands being appreciative and interacting with their fans — something I really value seeing. I’ll be there to catch ya’ll next time, Kulick!

Next up was Australian pop-punk and indie rock band The Faim. The Faim came out swinging, boasting catchy melodies, and incredibly precise clean vocals. They were bouncy and overall a ton of fun to watch. Seeing how energetic the band was on stage made me forget about the dreary weather outside, as I was instantly transported to the good vibes of summertime. I was surprised by how established this band sounded — as if they had been rockstars their entire lives. Everyone on stage looked so comfortable and in control. A few songs into the set, lead vocalist Josh Raven coyly toys with the crowd by saying, “I know you don’t know me, but I’ll be the guy screaming in your face tonight.” And sure enough, Raven was absolutely right. He often knelt down near the edge of the stage and sang right near the barricade of fans. He continued to banter with the crowd in between sets, often inciting a loud cheer from the audience. The Faim seemed to instantly click with the fans at The Varsity with many people jumping and screaming. 

Overall, The Faim were an incredibly tight and catchy band. If they continue touring extensively, I feel like they can easily work their way to becoming as popular as a well established mainstream band like 5 Seconds of Summer. I look forward to seeing where these guys go in the next year or so, because it’s likely just going to be up and up.

The main man of the hour was Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Black — also known as Andy Biersack. Black found colossal success writing music and touring with Black Veil Brides, which provided his gateway into the mainstream alt-rock and emo scene. Biersack’s side project, Andy Black, has also garnered lots of success and fan adoration. After releasing a new album this year, Black has been touring the United States bringing his solo project to the masses. His set at The Varsity was full of charm and charisma. During his set, Black played older fan favorites as well as his new material which the audience seemed to immediately grab onto. I really enjoyed seeing Black’s work outside of Black Veil Brides. His solo material was incredibly suave and catchy. Black showcased his abilities as a true frontman.

In addition to having the stage masterfully controlled, it was plain to see how Black affected the room. Looking around, I couldn’t help but notice the amount of people dressed up and sporting Andy Black and Black Veil Brides merchandise. It’s clear to see that Black’s influence and presence is incredibly compelling and meaningful to fans. They were all so excited to see their hero. And while Black undoubtedly has a diehard fanbase, it was pleasant to see that he was incredibly humble and appreciative of his supporters, taking the time to talk and interact with the crowd in between songs. Black’s performance was that of a true professional. He had the crowd screaming and singing along the entire night.