Tiger’s Jaw’s Impact on Emo Is Not Lost on Hamden, CT.
Tiger’s Jaw is possibly the most influential 4th wave emo band of all time. When their debut album, “Belongs to the Dead,” was released in 2006, it changed the landscape of the genre forever. A band like Tiger’s Jaw is more than just the sum of its parts; they are pioneers in every aspect.
Connecticut has a severely underrated emo scene. Maybe in parts to being so close to bigger scenes like New York and Boston, or maybe it’s just the natural melancholy that comes with being from New England. Either way, Hamden made sure to show up and show out for Tiger’s Jaw on Friday night.
As I tend to prefer, this was yet another small, intimate, and notably barricade-free venue in central CT. This venue has been through many phases, changing ownership a few times in the past decade. It is actually the combination of two separate spaces that have been merged into one slightly larger venue and bar. It was a sold-out show, packed wall to wall, people pressed by their hips into the low height stage, and I once again got to enjoy the adrenaline of weaving through bodies, hands in the air, equal parts participating in the show and covering it.
The show opened with the acoustic solo act, Creeks. Jon Simmons, formerly of Balance and Composure, is a voice I have deeply missed. His songs feel like storytelling, and he took the crowd through a deeply emotional walk with him to start the show. Creeks is incredibly kind, thanking the crowd, manning his own merch booth, and taking a little bit of time to talk with me between sets. Following Creeks was the 2nd band on the bill, Hot Flash Heat Wave, which I am choosing to fondly describe as dream pop meets surf rock. Layered vocals, reverb everywhere, and funky bass lines made this band incredibly easy to dance to. This was the perfect transition after Creeks’ somber opening and warmed the crowd up perfectly for the headliner.
When Tiger’s Jaw took the stage, the lights changed from a vibrant blue and magenta to amber and gold and honey. Tiger’s Jaw consists Ben Walsh, keyboardist/vocalist Brianna Collins, drummer Teddy Roberts, bassist Colin Gorman, and guitarist Mark Lebiecki. They’re celebrating the release of their newest album, “Lost On You,” released March 27th, 2026. The band opened acoustic with “It’s okay” and switched after the first track. Ben Walsh is an electric performer, switching from swaying in one moment to jumping and thrashing in another. His voice is perfect for this sound.
The setlist was massive, encompassing music from every phase of the band’s career. For a lot of people, Tiger’s Jaw’s self-titled album was an introduction to the genre. The audience thanked the band for every track they played off of the historic release, including “Never Saw it Coming,” and, in my opinion, one of the best emo tracks of all time, “Plane vs Tank vs Submarine.” The show wasn’t just a nostalgia session, though, as the band made sure to treat everyone to tracks off of their newest album, including “Lost on You” (of course!) and “Head Like a Sinking Hole,” among others.
Even as their writing has changed over the years, they’ve never lost a sense of timelessness. They bring both energy and vulnerability, raw and honest. Some artists are meant to sing and dance to, but Tiger’s Jaw is best for screaming. Watching them perform, singing along, witnessing the crowd, it’s these things that make this band’s shows feel so therapeutic.
The highlight of the night was closing out with “I Saw Water.” This track is loud and emotional and belting, and few things truly encompass the feeling of collective effervescence as much as a room full of emotionally raw people embracing this type of vulnerability through music. In a lot of ways, it feels like being a teenager, lyrics simple in their message, longing and heartbreak, desire and disappointment.
On the drive home, you might pass by the Quinnipac River. I did. I saw water, I felt better.
Everything Tiger’s Jaw can be found on their website.