Photo by Valerie Paschall

Reunions are inherently nerve-wracking. The anticipation that comes with seeing people after years apart mixed with the accompanying expectations is enough to make the most even keeled person a worrisome mess. The members of Black Tambourine were not a mess, but they were clearly nervous. Pam Berry’s vocals were almost inaudible during opening song “For Ex-Lovers Only” and there was a clear sense of unease onstage.

Berry had warned us before their set, that the band might sound “scrappy,” (in this case meaning shambolic rather than bold) but by the time they had gotten to their third song, “Pack You Up,” something had clicked. Mike Schulman, Brian Nelson and Archie Moore visibly loosened up and Berry looked more sure of herself. “We’re really nervous about this but we shouldn’t be,” said Berry. “It’s like a big party. It’s fun.”

The audience, which had previously sounded like a room full of sound engineers with their endless requests for more feedback and vocals, started to have more fun, too. “Tears of Joy” got everyone’s head moving, “We Can’t Be Friends” started to maniacal cheers and a miniature mosh pit started up once the front of the room heard the drum beats to “Throw Aggi Off the Bridge.” Although the audience was fruitless in their calls for an encore, it was really unnecessary. Black Tambourine’s whole set was kind of an encore after 21 years of existing solely in the “influences” column of any band that showed an appreciation for both shoegazey feedback and pop hooks. It was the sort of reunion where everyone leaves the room talking about the great time they had rather than reminiscing about the good old days when things were better.

Although the night clearly belonged to Black Tambourine, Lorelei probably put in the most impassioned performance. The trio of Matt Dingee, Stephen Gardner and Davis White rarely play, but they performed with the fervor of a band that had spent the past three years touring. Their new song “Hole Punch” from the upcoming album Enterprising Sidewalks fit right in with their older material. Their set showcased their range as their songs can veer to the melodic pop end of the spectrum or the new wave end, but either way, it may end in a forceful explosion of guitar riffs.

Fan Modine seemed to be everyone’s beer line break as their sleepy folk pop set of songs was well executed but unfortunately timed after Lorelei’s triumphant performance. However, those songs were not quite as sleepy as the set from The Lilys’ Kurt Heasley. Depending on who you ask, Heasley put up either the best or the worst set of the night. Heasley’s songs were emotional, quiet and utterly touching to the wide-eyed fans who knew every word. He took requests and tried to engage the crowd with his eccentric bantering style.

LD Bechtol started the night with a surprise set of covers, backed by various Slumberland Records all-stars such as Dingee and Moore playing many eclectic and bizarre instruments. It was a fitting opening as it introduced many of the night’s upcoming players and set the tone for a night of happy nostalgia.