SMALLPOOLS
Smallpools, The Foundry, Philadelphia, PA 5/9/25.
Smallpools’ LOVETAP! Turns 10: A Nostalgic, High-Energy Celebration in Philadelphia
Can you believe it’s been 10 years since LOVETAP! by Smallpools was released? I was just 15 the first time I saw them live, opening for Two Door Cinema Club on the Beacon tour at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia. Back then, they were still teasing singles from LOVETAP!, and I was instantly hooked. Over the past decade, I’ve seen the band multiple times, and when I heard they were reuniting the original lineup for this anniversary tour, I knew I couldn’t miss it.
The band played LOVETAP! front to back, opening with “American Love” and closing the main set with “(Submarine).” They held off on “Dreaming” until the encore, even teasing it right after “Killer Whales”, just like its place in the original album tracklist. As always, they brought the fun, tossing an inflatable whale into the crowd during “Killer Whales,” which quickly made its way across the venue via crowd-surfing fans.
A standout moment for me came during “Mason Jar,” when the crowd erupted, jumping and singing along. In high school, “Mason Jar,” “Over & Over,” and “Dreaming” were part of my personal soundtrack. I vividly remember singing “Dreaming” with my friend Alicia while driving down I-76 to summer concerts at the TLA. Hearing those songs live again, surrounded by others who also grew up with them, was like stepping back into those magical moments of youth.
Let’s not forget the openers, though I dove right into the headliner out of pure excitement. One of my favorite up-and-coming bands, Rec Hall, kicked off the night. They opened with my favorite song of theirs, “Delay,” from their new EP Otherworld. Their performance was full of energy and joy, definitely a band to watch.
For the encore, Smallpools treated the crowd to a mix of newer material and fan favorites: “Stumblin’ Home,” “Passenger Side,” “Million Bucks,” “Simulation,” a cover of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” and “Swayze.” Of course, they ended the night with their biggest hit, “Dreaming.”
I ran into my friends Cody and Martha, also longtime Smallpools fans, who were thrilled to hear so many beloved tracks live again. After the show, the band came out to meet fans. I had a chance to chat with Sean, the lead singer, and share just how much their music has meant to me over the years. I even picked up a limited-edition tour-exclusive vinyl, one of only 300 pressings.
Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful to have experienced such a special night in an intimate venue with a band that’s meant so much to me. This anniversary tour wasn’t just a concert, it was a celebration of memories, youth, and the lasting power of music.
Shot and Written by Dylan Sheridan.
