Words and Photos by Alder Boutin
“No matter what you’re carrying, whatever struggles you’re facing, I want you to let it go,” Taylor Acorn’s recorded message played over the speakers of the Fillmore Silver Spring. “I want you to look to the person to your right and to your left and say ‘I’ve got you.’ I want you to laugh, to cry, to smile, and to scream if you need to…. Now let’s have a ‘Hell Of A Show.’” The hush that had fallen over the crowd broke into cheers as Acorn strutted onto the stage and sang the opening lines of “Hell Of A Show.”
Flairs of other genres can be heard in Acorn’s pop punk power: a twang in her voice that nods to her country origins; a collaboration with EDM artist Said The Sky on “Reminisce.” She even produced a tambourine to accentuate her performance of her most recent release, “Goodbye, Good Riddance.” Acorn flipped as easily between notes as she does between musical styles, belting even while jumping and lunging.
Displays of spinning neon smiley faces, skeleton hands lighting matches, and a bold Taylor Acorn logo beneath red flapping butterflies were rotated by the two screens framing the stage.
The stage fans gave Acorn’s red-streaked hair a life of its own as she gently sang “Burning House” from center stage, hands sliding along her microphone stand. The top of her guitarist’s hair was dyed red too, matching hers.
Acorn’s friend and fellow Summer School performer, Charlotte Sands, joined her onstage to sing their collaborated version of “Final Nail.” After dazzling with their exponential combination of energy and vocals, Sands drew Acorn into a tender hug, lifting her off the floor.
The crowd did not disappoint when Acorn held the microphone out during “Shapeshifting.” Been putting on a show for everybody but me… if I fade away, will they miss me? their collective voices rang clearly. After the memorable show that Taylor Acorn put on Tuesday night, the impression she left will be anything but fading.
Loudspeaker Collective 