COIN brings Orlando, Florida “Along for the Ride”
Orlando, FL - November 2nd, 2024
“Orlando… you are the blueprint.”
-Chase Lawrence (via Instagram Stories)
COIN, an alternative indie pop group, just finished up their “I’m Not Afraid of Tour Anymore” tour and brought electrifying energy to the House of Blues Orlando on November 2nd. The band consists of Chase Lawrence (lead vocals, synthesizers), Ryan Winnen (drums), and Joe Memmel (lead guitar, backing vocals) accompanied by Zachary Dyke (bass) during this tour have been making music for over a decade since the formation of the group in 2012. However, their fifth (and most recent) studio album, “I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore” is strikingly different from all of their past albums in the best way possible. Of course, it still has the amazing energy and range of upbeat, optimistic to mellower reflective songs, but it is most definitely the band’s most vulnerable and self-accepting album to date — something the band has publicly stated proudly.
COIN is the epitome of a band that sounds better live, which is truly spectacular given how amazing their recorded music already is. With this being my first COIN show, I truly had no idea what to expect,but was blown away by the live vocals and sounds as well as the overall energy each band member, specifically lead singer Chse Lawrence, brought to the stage. Even the energy of the fans before the show began was filled with excitement and love for the band with fans chatting excitedly amongst themselves, holding signs, and overall expressing their excitement to see the band. When the lights dimmed, the crowd was deafening, showing the true love COIN brings out of every single one of their fans.
The show began with all of the members individually walking on stage, with Chase being the last. He started off by sitting next to what appeared to be a vintage radio, fiddling with it a bit while singing the intro track “It’s Hard to Care About Everything” from their new album before quickly moving to the very front of the stage as a white fog emasked the stage, giving the stage an ethereal and dreamy effect. He stood there with the last few notes of the song blaring in the background while cheers ensued from the crowd, the sounds becoming deafening the longer he stood. The cheers still ensuing, Chase walked back to the center stage with his hands placed on the keys of the synthesizer and the lights darkened — the words “I’M NOT AFRAID OF TOUR ANYMORE” and “ORLANDO” flash on the screen — and the show truly began.
The band continued to play tracks from their new album with the song names and lyrics flashing on screen and colors changing as every song progressed. They continued with “Chapstick,” “Take it or Leave it,” “I Want It All,” “Asking for a Friend,” and my personal favorite, “Slack.” giving thrilling performances for each and every song.
Halfway through the show, Chase took a moment to speak to the crowd, expressing his gratitude and long lasting love for Florida. “I personally love Florida,” he said as the crowd cheered. “I remember when we would play at the dive bar down the street, and every time we put out a tour, I think that no one would buy tickets and show up. And every time, I’m shocked that all of you turn up.” He spent a few moments looking at the crowd and his band members, seemingly taking the night in — then progressed into the next song.
The cheering from the crowd did not die down once from the beginning to the end of the show. Whenever I looked at any member of the crowd, all of them were mouthing each song lyric by lyric. The lights were constantly changing, giving a visual representation of excitement that the songs themselves exude.
Towards the end of the show during “I Think I Met You in a Dream,” Chase also jumped down stage into the barricaded area and into the crowd, having fans sing the final chorus back to him (which they did, word for word). The fans excitedly pulled out their phones, screaming each lyric with excitement as Chase pointed his microphone towards them.
The band members ended the show (pre-encore) by lifting and holding their guitars up in the air as the COIN logo shone across a yellow screen behind them, creating a powerful visual as the fans screamed for them.
As they returned back on stage for the encore, they wrapped up the show with two of their most upbeat tracks, “Crash My Car” and “Strawberry Jam.”
Without a doubt, this was one of the best shows I have ever been to, and can confirm that COIN shows truly are life changing. COIN has recently finished the first leg of their US tour at their Atlanta show (two shows after Orlando) and are finishing the second leg of their US tour next spring.
