Just moving to Columbia, this 24-year-old alternative kid was looking for something that felt like home, in this city that is way more southern cultured than she’s used to. Looking for concerts to go to in the area, I learned Sweet Pill was coming to town. Playing at a venue called New Brookland Tavern, in which I’d never heard of, this show would be the first of many I hope to attend there.

This tiny two-story bar, placed on the outskirts of the nightlife hub near University of South Carolina, is packed with culture; recognizable band stickers cover the bar, every walk of life around, fashion expression, and what appears to be the place to be as an alternative music lover in South Carolina. From my days of studying for my master’s degree and working in sports while living here, this was the exact breath of fresh air that I need during the bye-weeks.

Sweet Pill, a Philadelphia-based emo band, stopped at New Brookland Tavern on October 3^rd for their ‘I’m Lead Between What’s Real and Just a Dream’ tour. Zayna Youssef, lead singer of the band, performed the entire set with a fractured elbow; an injury as a result to stage diving. I believe she said it was a Pool Kids show. Very awesome, Zayna– I hope you have a speedy recover, and I thank you for still putting on an excellent show despite the restrictions.

Joining her as the other members of the band include Jayce Williams (guitar), Chris Kearney (drums and vocals), Sean McCall (guitar and vocals), and Ryan Cullen (bass and vocals). This band was formed as a senior project at Rowan University, and has flourished, now with 1 full studio album, 2 EPs, countless other singles including an Audiotree feature, and over 330 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify.

Sweet Pill is such an interesting band to watch. For a band that was founded just in 2018, their stage chemistry and chaotic order is unlike I’ve ever seen before. With multiple instances of synchronistic elements, it’s obvious this band knows their music well, and knows each other very well.

One of my favorite moments during the show was the leadup to them playing their song, “Dog Song.” After a short talking brief, Youssef asks for, after she counts to four, the band demonstrates without asking, yelling, ‘Oh!’ Youssef then does it, the crowd yells ‘oh’ and the band immediately begins to play Dog Song. If you don’t know what this song sounds like, listen to the beginning. After understanding the opening sequence, being able to imagine how awesome the moment is simple.

The amount of die-hard Sweet Pill fans in the crowd was pleasantly surprising. With dozens of pieces of merchandise from each era of Sweet Pill. I even got the chance to speak to a fan who made their own shirt for the show. On the back of the shirt, stated, ‘Go Birds,’ thinking it was funny as not only was a reference to Sweet Pill; however, my mind we to the Philedalphia Eagles.

I did not know Sweet Pill was from Philly before this show. After they mentioned their hometown, but also yelling, ‘Go Birds,’ during their show, I felt immediately stupid in that moment.

From previously living in a major city, in which most popular and alternative tours would stop by, it feels like a once and a lifetime opportunity when a concert takes a night in Columbia. I appreciate those bands, such as Swee Pill, to not only give these smaller southern areas a chance but also highlighting that interesting sounds and audio-visual experiences can be born here, also.

Sweet Pill, a Philly grown band, adopted two special opening acts for their night in Columbia; both local to the South Carolina area. Eighth house, an eerie alternative shoegaze-type feel opens the night. This Columbia-grown band exudes the energy that matches their sound they create.

The second band they included on their set for the night was Newgrounds Death Rugby, a hardcore alternative band from Charleston, South Carolina. This band was a popular one amongst the crowd; as after some digging, I learned that they play at New Brookeland Tavern quite often.

Youssef, towards the end of the show, opens up about the hardships she’s experienced in her life, but also about the future of Sweet Pill. “Sometimes I am still surprised Sweet Pill is still alive today,’ Says Youssef, in regards to the future plans of the band. I hope Sweet Pill stays alive for the joy to create the communities they build, and their resilience to fight for what they believe in during uncertain times and forces that are against them.