JORDANA Brings It Home in Philadelphia
Photo by Zade Batal
Walking into the Jordana show at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia, I knew right away I was at home. Coming straight from massive tours with TV Girl and Wallows, and on the cusp of a fall support spot with Remi Wolf, I knew I’d be in for a great show. Obviously, I am always a sucker for a good indie pop concert, but Jordana oozes an enchanting girl-next-door sound that I couldn’t drag myself away from. She captured my heart from the first pop-laced guitar riff in “Pressure Point.”
Not only does her bedroom-pop music feel like it was written by your high school best friend that lives in your neighborhood, JORDANA actually hails from my home state of Maryland. This fact only made me feel closer to her as she sang about everything from sexuality, religion, going vegan, and the hard choices that define being young and alive. As someone who also grew up in a Maryland church landscape and has since come to question their own identity, I felt the themes of her latest EP Face The Wall as if JORDANA was talking directly to me. Figuring out who you are, recognizing where you came from, and living through the doubt and joy that comes with getting to know yourself - that’s what I felt at this show, and that’s what Jordana’s music is all about.
Being at a JORDANA show felt like spinning through a coming-of-age movie in a kaleidoscope of music ripe for a ukulele and ready for first love. Her stage presence was funny and bright, her vocals strong and vulnerable. She struck a perfect balance of youth and maturity, perfectly representing the music she performed on stage.
Mid-show, after a few songs of swaying bodies and getting lost in the music, she announces, “Hope you have your diapers on!” because we were “‘bout to shit your pants.” And sure enough, the concert turned into one of the best things an indie-pop concert can turn into: a delicate rager. The crowd came together to dance, both on the floor next to the stage and on the balcony above. It was then I began to recognize people - friends I had made across the indie music scene in Philly and never caught their names - indie music fans across the city flocked to see JORDANA. Once again, I felt at home.
JORDANA’s show gave me a massive case of main character syndrome. While going to concerts with friends is always fun, I was happy I went to this one alone - it let me feel like I was IN a high school rom-com. I felt nostalgic for my friends’ high school graduations and driving around backroads blasting JORDANA. Returning to hometowns in the springtime, feeling like you’ve outgrown it by miles and years. Her show made me feel proud of myself for growing, and proud to be present and experiencing a show as special as this.
I guess next time I see her, I’ll have to pack a diaper.
