Originally a cover band at the University of Virginia, Dogpark is an NYC-based indie rock band with a nostalgic ’00s sound. For their first headline tour, The Corporate Pudding Tour, stopped at Philadelphia’s Brooklyn Bowl to demonstrate their recent rise in popularity. First on stage and opening the show was a band named Kids That Fly. A four-piece band that initially united at the University of Connecticut blended alternative rock with pop and synth elements in their sound. Members consist of Nick Smeriglio (lead vocals/guitar), Blake Henry (guitar/synth), Braden Fradino (bass/vocals), and Adam Machado (touring drummer). Their breakout track “Kiss Her You Fool” blends nostalgic 2000s pop with a modern rock twist. After listening to their set, Kids That Fly’s music perfectly complemented Dogparks' sound.
Comprised of Eamon Moore (lead vocals), Chris Conte (drums), Declan Harris (lead guitar), and Billy Apostolou ( rhythm guitar/bass), Dogpark offers an indie rock sound similar to The Strokes, The Sundays, and R.E.M. Offering a better live sound than recorded, Dogpark’s Philadelphia set jumped feet first into their indie rock sound. Working off each other, Harris and Apostolou became mesmerizing on stage, going into riffs of their own and completely commanding the stage. Quiet in his demeanor but show-stopping when he sings, Moore’s voice was raspy yet extremely powerful and unlike anything I have ever heard. He was utterly captivating, and his unconventional sound worked so well with the rest of the band’s instrumentals. In addition to covering songs by Jeff Buckley and Dijon, Dogpark played the majority of their discography. Still blown away from the show days later, Dogpark puts on a show you can’t miss when they come to town.
