The last time I crossed paths with COIN was supporting 5 Seconds of Summer at Cardiff International Arena earlier this year.
Now that venue, and this band together, made sense to me. COIN have this undeniable energy to them, this utter magic which is big enough to fill a larger-scale venue. However, when packaged into a smaller, mid-size SWX on a Monday night, it’s richer. More vibrant. Intense. It feels intimate yet at the same time, it feels as if you are part of something bigger than yourself for one night.
The band’s ability to sell out Bristol’s Thekla, and then selling out SWX, came at absolutely no surprise to anyone who follows the Nashville-based band. Formed in 2012, COIN have created such a lively and vibrant fan base outside of America, which was evident through the crowds of fans queuing up hours before the show in the pouring rain, with the hopes of a better glimpse of the four-man band during the show. It would come as a surprise to none if their next Bristol headliner is O2 Academy, or Marble Factory.
A special mention has to go to their support act, the incredible flor. flor set the scene for that patriotic American dream, in a British city on a rainy Monday night. I mean, who thought that was possible?Their pop-rock sound with an infusion of Indie goodness, paired with melodic riffs and the stage presence of true rockstars, flor is undeniably a brilliant upcoming act, definitely one to keep an eye on. ‘hold on’ was a highlight, and utterly catchy.
As COIN took to the stage, fans were itching to see and hear their favourite band. So many excited chatter and squeals could be heard across the audience. What followed, came a phenomenal roar. Voices bouncing off the walls, singing and a tidal wave of people moving, dancing, jumping. COIN mirrored the same energy given by their audience all night long, exuberating in the sheer energy that everyone in the room was sharing in those moments. The band, notably frontman Chase Lawrence, emitted a passion throughout the set, proving they were truly at one with their artistry. Lawrence moved like a mad man all evening, as if he was possessed by the music itself – an energy he held out all night, even to the end of the show for the phenomenal anthem ‘Crash My Car’.
From themes of love, loss and nostalgia, COIN had a little something for everyone. My personal highlight of the show was the beautiful rendition of ‘Malibu 1992’, a song originally written at 4am by the band and backed to a visual which imitated a setting sun – something which felt so suited to the slow synth-rock ballad.
The band’s Bristol show felt like a beginning of a new era for the band. The beginning of something incredible for the Tennessee natives, and a warm welcome with open arms into the hearts, and headphones, of the young British population.
Words and pictures: Daisy Kent @daisylkent