Marcy Playground, formed in 1994, is an alternative rock band consisting of trio John Wozniak, Dylan Keefe and Shlomi Lavie. Through their 1997 self-titled album, they created a strong place for themselves in the alt genre and became a successful band with “Sex and Candy” placing on US Billboard Hot 100.
It happens that the Everclear 2024 tour aligns with their 20th anniversary, making it all the more special.
In an authentic ‘90s line up, Marcy Playground followed Jimi’s Chicken Shack and prepared the audience for Everclear. Starting with their frequent opening song “Poppies,” the energy was immediately electric. The crowd didn’t hesitate to dance and cheer, which created a welcoming atmosphere that was impossible to resist.
After playing “Pigeon Farm” off their 1998 album “Shapeshifter,” lead singer John Wozniak excitedly announced that for the first time in years, they had vinyls of the album available for sale.
“Our manager hopped on a plane to bring them here!” he mused in that traditional rockstar singsong voice which of course was enthusiastically accepted by the mass.
The band kept the momentum going with their signature mix of grunge, alternative rock, and introspective lyrics, pulling the crowd in deeper with every song. Tracks like “Saint Joe on the School Bus” and “Good Times” brought waves of nostalgia that I may have not experienced firsthand, but I lived vicariously through the audience while I watched the sea of 1,220 fans sing and dance along. John Wozniak’s vocals were raw and captivating, his laid-back charisma blending perfectly with the band’s rhythmic performance.
Naturally, the intimate venue erupted when the unmistakable bassline of “Sex and Candy” kicked off. The radio hit set chills through the crowd and I couldn’t help but be pulled into the swaying motion. It was as if time had frozen for longtime fans.
Marcy Playground concluded the set with “Star Baby” which felt like a natural ending. While fans were disappointed to see them walk off stage and the imaginary curtains close, it was clear they would visit Boston again soon enough.
