Review: A Story Told @ Kung Fu Necktie

Jul 24, 2024Jul 24, 2024 Erika Cutaia 0 Comments A Story Told, caitlin mcgeehan, Kung Fu Necktie, live music, review, show review

Follow WHIP Twitter Facebook Instagram

WRITTEN BY: Caitlin McGeehan

PHOTOS BY: Caitlin McGeehan

A Story Told brought the Mundane Magic Tour to Kung Fu Necktie in May, but their performance at the quirky Philadelphia venue and bar was anything but mundane.

Shows at Kung Fu Necktie are like no other in the city. Fans and barhoppers alike make up the crowds that enjoy the bands playing on the stage lovingly cluttered with wall signs and stickers. Whether they’re hearing the band’s music for the first time or are longtime fans, concertgoers at a KFN show bob their heads and cheer after each song.

The lull between the door time and the music starting allowed time to strike up conversations with some fans. One discovered A Story Told on Spotify and has stuck with them since, excited to see them play a small, intimate venue in Philly. She snagged a front-row spot which she kept throughout the show.

Local openers Medium Rare and Fonvery started the night with their friends and fans pumping up the crowd.

Then, the lights of the “A Story Told” sign flipped on and the beat of “Never Around” kicked in. Under the neon glow, the four-piece rolled through their setlist full of upbeat indie-pop. You could feel the bounce and bass of songs like “Mundane Magic” in your feet through the floor.

Vocalist Alex Chaney grooved along as he sang both at the mic and the keyboard, fueled by the energy of each song. Chaney introduced “Home for the Summer” as one of the band’s favorite songs to play live and dedicated it to the band’s home state of West Virginia. Later this month, A Story Told will be playing West Virginia is for Lovers festival, showing even more of their love for their home state.

The newest A Story Told release “How Do You Write a Love Song?” made the setlist, and the band described it as a “breaking the mold” of topics they usually dive into musically. It’s about the chaos in finding and exploring a healthy relationship, and all the quirks, new things and feelings that come along with it.

A Story Told put on a fun show on their Philadelphia stop of the Mundane Magic tour, and they just might be back for a part two. So keep up with them on Instagram and TikTok for the latest!