GOTH BABE/AJR
Goth Babe/AJR, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden, NJ 8/6/25.
AJR has long held a special place in the Philly music scene, thanks in no small part to the ongoing support of local alternative station Alt 104.5. That love was returned tenfold during their latest show, where fans packed the venue for a night of indie music, quirky moments, and a whole lot of crowd energy.
The evening kicked off with a short but sweet 15-minute set by Madelyn Mei, an indie folk artist from Tucson. Despite her limited time, she made a memorable impression, engaging the crowd with ease and warmth.
Next up was Valley, an indie pop band hailing from Toronto. Their 20-minute set was just enough to fire up the crowd, featuring fan-favorite tracks like “The Bass Player’s Brother” and “Bop Ba.” Their upbeat energy was contagious and set the tone perfectly for the rest of the night.
Cavetown followed, bringing a touch of whimsy and emotional depth to the stage. The singer carried around a stuffed monkey throughout the set, a quirky touch that fans clearly adored. The band’s movement and stage presence were impressive, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere that kept the energy high.
As a massive Goth Babe fan, I was especially excited when Griff burst onto the stage and instantly electrified the crowd. His kinetic energy was unmatched, as he ran across the stage, leaned into the crowd, and even sat down mid-performance. The audience came alive during “I Wanna Help Your Mind,” jumping and singing in unison. A standout moment was when Griff, known for his love of road snacks, hyped up the crowd by waving around a box of Cheez-Its before launching it into the audience. He later repeated the stunt with a bag of chips, closing out the set in true Goth Babe fashion: chaotic, fun, and full of love for the fans.
Between sets, fans showed off creative outfits and costumes in tribute to AJR. One fan even dressed as a pigeon, an amusing nod to Adam Met’s well-known fear of the bird.
When AJR finally took the stage, the crowd erupted as they opened with “Way Less Sad.” The band delivered a set packed with visual creativity and fan interaction. One of the most unique moments was a live demonstration of their songwriting process, which seamlessly transitioned into “100 Bad Days.” Later, they turned the camera on the crowd, highlighting the fan in the pigeon costume and even inviting another audience member on stage to sing “Steve’s Going to London.” It turned out to be a surprisingly strong performance that the crowd absolutely loved.
But the highlight of the night came when the entire band ventured out into the audience to perform “World’s Smallest Violin” and “Wow, I’m Not Crazy.” It was an unforgettable moment of connection between band and fans. They closed with “Sober Up,” capped by a dramatic drum solo from Adam high above the stage, enhanced by a stunning light show.
Though the band exited, the night wasn’t over. AJR returned for an encore with their hit “Weak,” and just when it seemed the show had peaked, a full marching band stormed down both aisles and onto the stage for a grand, celebratory finale.
AJR’s Philly show was more than just a concert. It was a full-scale experience, blending humor, heart, and high energy into a night fans won’t soon forget.
Shot and Written by Jonah van Bemmelen
