Local Artist Spotlight
In a small venue, deep into the city of Manchester, New Hampshire sits a hot bed for local music. The Bungalow bar and grill has not held shows since 2019. Before the farewell it was a place where new and local bands had a chance to cut their teeth, and had a chance to be heard. There’s plenty of small venues like this around the city and state but something about this one pulls on the heartstrings. This includes myself as I’ve attended many shows here. I’ve seen bands play here that have gone on to success like If Not For Me, Currents, The Funeral Portrait, Downswing to name a few.
Why am I telling you about a venue that hasn’t been active since 2019? This year, it was revived. After 6 long years, we have shows playing at the Bungalow once again. Thank you Richie Downs and NHBooking. The intimate environment of the Bungalow has made it possible for me to meet and make friends with so many bands. Two of those bands I've made friends with headlined the Bungalow on December 5. Trading Tombstones and Arcantica held their 4th annual holiday show. They had support from three bands that I personally have not heard, but was excited to hear for the first time; Sunset Electric, Proelium, and The Forest Forgets.
Sunset Electric opens the show. A 4 piece band from the Milford and Nashua areas. They start fast and energized to get the crowd going as quickly as possible. A good alternative sound to them, they showed good stage presence throughout their 6 song set. They had plenty of energy throughout and clearly enjoyed playing. Have to mention the fun they had too. The keyboardist, dressed like he's straight from the 60s or 70s, started rotating his keyboard around while playing and dancing with it. The crowd was all for it. Based on what I heard, I could compare them to a mix of bands like Theory Of A Deadman, The Struts and Dirty Honey.
Next comes a 7 song set from Portsmouth based band Proelium. From the first note, first riff, the energy is there. They immediately demand your attention, deservingly. An alternative metal sound that the Bungalow thrives on. Also a 4 piece band, which is the case for all the bands playing except one. Throughout their set, they have some fun crowd interaction and you can see they know how to make a show fun and memorable. Despite the crowd being somewhat dispersed around the floor, Proelium has a great sound for mosh pits and some of the people in the crowd were trying. We Came As Romans, Alter Bridge, Crown The Empire and Asking Alexandria all came to mind while listening to them.
Next to play is The Forest Forgets. Based right in Manchester, this band I felt, brought a lot of emotion to their set. Their set consisted of songs full of strong musicianship. A mix of alternative music with some metal influences could be heard in their songs. I feel like this band definitely thrives in their production and their instrumentals. I would only suggest, or ask of them, to add some crowd interaction. They have the makings of a strong band moving forward nonetheless. For this band, I could hear influences from bands like Chevelle, Wolfmother and Tool.
Headliner time, first we have Arcantica. Manchester/Derry based band. Consisting of vocalist Aric Leighton, drummer Brandon Frost, bassist Zach Zyla, and new guitarist Iohanes Nascimento. Aric honestly is the person who introduced me to the Bungalow. He invited me to see his previous band Letting Go there years ago and I was hooked from there. He’s become a good friend and I’ll always support him and his band. Arcantica is a crowd favorite whenever they play. A post-hardcore band. Their signature energy is infectious and the crowd gets moving. Their set on this show had a few special guests. Alex Dusaitis of still to come Trading Tombstones jumped on stage to sing with Aric. On their final song, friend of the band and former member Zach “Zachy B” Belanger jumped on the stage to sing too. Whenever Arcantica plays, special guests can almost be expected. They deliver a great stage presence every show. They love to joke and have fun with the crowd. They leave everything on the stage, as they should.
Setlist:
Pins & Needles
Shallow
Rift
Dead Air
Substinence
After All
Ruin
Closing out the night is Trading Tombstones. A unique rock duo, based out of Manchester. Alex Dusaitis on vocals and guitar with Aden Dupont on drums. Being a duo in rock music isn’t the most common thing but it doesn’t stop these guys. A couple friends of mine as well, Trading Tombstones rock the stage with an alternative rock sound. They use the fact they are a duo to their advantage with the ability to command the stage, and show some excellent production in their music. Like Arcantica before them, they are a crowd favorite when they play. They bring that same fun with the crowd as well. The longest set of the night, 9 songs wasn’t enough for this crowd. Chants for encore rang out as the set ended, they obliged. 10 songs it is. A fitting way to end the night with the Bungalow rocking out until almost 11pm, just like times of old.
Setlist:
It Really Pours
Fall Into The Sound
Heated
Cut My Eyes Out
Tiny Whispers
Carry The Weight
Paint Me As You Want Me
Meet My Dead Friends
Call It What You Want
The Steeple
A fun night overall, nostalgic with my first visit in 6 years. Same energy, same vibes. Happy to see the Bungalow back. Happy to see 3 new bands, and of course my friends. I hope anyone in the area gets to see a show at the Bungalow. I hope everyone checks out and supports all these bands. Local bands, local music, huge potential.
-Chris Mason