Concert Review: Bay Ledges Sings To “Middle School Love” At Rockwood

Watching Bay Ledges at Rockwood was like someone entering their room and letting themselves rest. Bay Ledges always shines more in small rooms; treating the public like his group of friends. He is witty, coyly snarky, and loves to shake his guitar and body as if his electro rhythms are shocking his soul. Yet, the best part about his sound is that it is getting bigger and bigger. 

From “Mango” to “I Remember,” each song felt like it could soundtrack a CW love scene. Considering Bay Ledges jokingly exclaimed, “I write for middle school love,”  his songs really feel like young love. His arrangements are more epic and energetic, and match the passion of his verses. For some reason, young love stays with us forever. Our first love becomes a marker on everything that can go euphorically well and devastatingly wrong in a relationship.

While some believe that “age” is the reason for first love’s memorability, I think it is more about experiencing a first. For Bay Ledges, first love is like a baby learning to walk for the first time; what initially makes him wobble and reach fascinating new heights, eventually, becomes normal. After awhile, relationships become serial, but Bay Ledges sings to the time when they are not. Vocally, Bay Ledges jolts his verses in the same way “middle school” love awakens you to newer feelings.

Bay Ledges skips and skids notes with a brightness that makes him feel like the headlights of his driving melodies. So much romantic energy allows even his cover of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” to feel like a breakup song. I have seen a lot of covers, but I cannot say I have ever seen anyone take MJ’s “Beat It” and turn it into a smooth, electro affront to your lover: “JUST BEAT IT!” Yet, there is no denying Bay Ledges is creative and that he loves drawing the crowd in. He is a smart guy, and his verses are about how love can make us feel less intelligent. For More Information On Bay Ledges Click Here.