The Front Bottoms have been hosting their annual Champagne Jam for nearly a decade now. The end-of-year mini-festival was held at Webster Hall for a handful of years, moving to Asbury Park’s Convention Hall when Webster closed for renovations. After an obvious break in 2020, Champagne Jam returned in 2021 in Rhode Island, and this year made its way to Philadelphia – with The Fillmore, The Foundry, and Brooklyn Bowl serving as its home.
While usually a single day event, this year Champagne Jam took place over two nights. Friday night’s lineup included locals Flycatcher and Sweet Pill kicking things off at The Foundry, with Emperor X and Joyce Manor warming up the main stage at The Fillmore. Saturday included Kevin Devine, Shannon Moser, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, and Soul Glo. And of course, both nights featured a headlining set by The Front Bottoms.
All while racing each other through finishing bottles of champagne on stage, the band played their way through sets that spanned their entire discography. While focusing mostly on songs off this year’s Theresa EP and 2020’s In Sickness & In Flames, they pulled out quite a few deep cuts and songs that don’t usually get played live, like “Don’t Fill Up On Chips” and “Wolfman.”
Pausing the set every now and then to shoot confetti into the crowd, sharing the stage with their inflatable tube men, and of course ending each night in a massive balloon drop – Champagne Jam is really just one big party for The Front Bottoms and their friends – a good time guaranteed.
Check out some photos below!
All Photos: Dana Gorab
