Concert Review: Peter McPoland

By: Maddie Mosley

Peter McPoland's concert at the Theater of Living Arts on South Street in Philadelphia was nothing short of electrifying. My journey as a fan began when I stumbled upon his acoustic rendition of "Romeo and Juliet" on TikTok in March 2021. From there, I watched his musical evolution and, on Oct. 13, I found myself in the heart of Philly, ready for my second live encounter with the sensation himself.

The first time I saw him perform was back in May of 2021 at The Foundry, an intimate venue that accommodates around 400 people. Little did I know that, in just a year, he'd be opening for Twenty One Pilots at venues like Madison Square Garden.

Last summer, while on tour with Twenty One Pilots, Peter began crafting his latest album, "Piggy," which dropped this past summer, setting the stage for his very own headline tour.

Philly had the honor of being the first stop on Peter's tour, and I was in for a VIP treat. The ticket came with early admission, securing my coveted spot at the barricade. But the perks didn't end there — I got to participate in a Q&A session, relish acoustic live performances, and snag a trendy tote bag as special merchandise. And the cherry on top? Peter himself. He took time to interact with every single fan, signing my tote bag and even snapping a selfie.

But let's talk about the concert itself. Peter is not just a musician; he's an entertainer extraordinaire. He's a master of crowd interaction, working the stage from left to right to make sure every fan had a front-row view of the magic. He had an incredible rapport with his talented band members, and it was evident that they were all having as much fun as the audience.

The concert kicked off with the first song on the “Piggy” album, "Mold," setting the tone for an unforgettable night. Peter dished out 21 songs, including old favorites and new tracks, with a few hidden gems that had yet to be officially released.

The setlist was a rollercoaster, featuring slower, introspective tunes like "String Lights" and "Dead Air," and high-energy bangers like "Shit Show" and "Were You There." And of course, he saved the best for last with the iconic "Digital Silence."

There was a moment when Peter had the crowd split down the middle, creating a path for him to jump into the audience. This was definitely a highlight of the evening. His on-stage energy was contagious, with guitar punches, wild dance moves, and impassioned singing.

Peter's musical journey, from his debut album "Slow Down" to his new release "Piggy," showcases substantial growth. But one thing that hasn't changed is his music's core purpose: to make people have a blast. Witnessing an artist evolve is a special experience, and Peter has undergone remarkable progress.

Despite his burgeoning fame, Peter remains humble and charismatic. His opening slot for Twenty One Pilots may have put him into the limelight, but he continues to connect with fans on a personal level.

As the final notes of "Digital Silence" resonated through the venue, the crowd was left in awe. The audience gave one final wave to Peter as he left the stage and the lights came back on.

Before leaving the venue, I was lucky enough to have been given the signed setlist which is currently hung up and framed in my room.

On my Uber ride back home, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible journey that brought me to this unforgettable night. Peter’s electrifying performance and his authentic connection with the audience made this concert experience one of my favorites.

I’m eagerly anticipating what he has in store for the future. There's no doubt Peter's star will continue to rise, and I'll be right there, following every step of the way.