Never Ending Fall Puts on a Real Rock Show
On the first night of their ongoing headlining tour, the band had an electric connection with fans
PHOTO BY KYLEN LUNN
Supporting their new album MOMENTUM!, Never Ending Fall kicked off their spring tour in Philly on Monday, April 13 at Kung Fu Necktie. But between the band’s impressive beginning-to-end performance and the crowd’s equally thrilled response, you’d never know the week — and tour — were just starting.
The album was released just over a month ago, but that didn’t stop the crowd from chanting every word to both early singles and deep cut favorites. Coming right out the gate, lead singer Jack Miller asked the crowd to chant the chorus lyrics to “PASTEL BLUE!”. He shredded a guitar solo that would only set the tone for each member’s highlights throughout the night.
The five piece is made up of lifetime friends Miller (vocals, guitar), Conrad Boyd (guitar), Tommy StClair (drums), Johnny Hohman (bass, vocals) and Pearce Eisenhardt (guitar). Their chemistry was tangible on stage; the guys beamed at each other as each extended a song with a solo, trading fan-made sunglasses around.
THE THRILL!
The iconic corner bar housed a small but mighty crowd of evidently committed fans and close supporters. Miller took a moment to acknowledge the reward of hearing a crowd sing every lyric back. After tours as openers and years playing rooms to just a few day one friends and fans, the explosive energy of the crowd proved the band is creating connections that will last a lifetime.
Developing their sound over the years, Never Ending Fall has landed somewhere in the space of true rock — the kind that reminds me of headbanging at Warped Tour and hoping the night never ends. Songs off MOMENTUM! echo indie and alt rock from those years, too. “THE THRILL!” and “YOU!” bring the energy that you’d find on an 8Tracks playlist next to Two Door Cinema Club, while “ACTRESS!” has a more alt-pop vibe—think Saint Motel meets surf rock.
Along with showcasing the new album, they performed a cover of Oasis’ “Champagne Supernova,” which fit seamlessly into the vibe of the night. On previous tours, they’ve added rock covers of pop songs into the mix, like Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please, Please, Please.” I personally love the way covers have become a staple on tours in the last few years, and Never Ending Fall’s choices add a fun and memorable surprise to their setlists.
If their last album, American Disco, showed the band stepping into their most authentic sound, this album solidifies their rock identity. Each song managed to hype the crowd in a different way, all made for and bettered by solos that sent guitarists and singers into — and, once for Boyd, on top of — the crowd.
PHOTO BY KYLEN LUNN
Even during less intense moments, the energy never dropped. The band played my personal album favorite, “ME AGAIN!,” a slow and — as Miller put it — “sensual” track they told me after was even slightly sped up for the show. Other fans got their favorites, too; one celebrated for “ISABEL,” a single from 2024, leaving with mascara tears of joy.
Though encores have become an expectation on setlists, Never Ending Fall’s didn’t feel like a requirement — fans truly chanted for one more song. Only Miller and StClair came out at first, setting a moody vibe with “Happy Goodbye,” and were soon joined by the rest of the members. The put their all into two more songs, closing the night with a bang — and a mosh pit — for “American Disco” and “Under My Skin.”
Philly is notoriously home to crowds with no limit on energy, but a band has to earn their keep, too. Never Ending Fall is an impressive show of a modern rock band who has a classic talent, yet doesn’t suffer from taking themselves overly seriously. Their genuine connection with the fans — evidenced further by talking to any and all after the show — and clear joy in the music means their shows glow with excitement.
All this to say: go see Never Ending Fall. Expect a thrill and leave exhilarated.
