104.5 Birthday Celebration (Day 1) – BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ – June 17, 2018

Updated: Jun 27, 2022

104.5 Birthday Celebration (Day 1) – BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ – June 17, 2018

This past Sunday was the first of two Radio 104.5 11th Birthday Celebration concerts at BB&T Pavilion. Featuring 11 artists, it was a wide-ranging look at indie rock circa 2018. The following are my favorite moments of the day.

*Headliner Thirty Seconds to Mars brought an arena-sized atmosphere to the Camden amphitheater. Led by actor and musician extraordinaire Jared Leto, the band brought out science fiction-like light displays and a desire to interact with the crowd. Playing behind the 2018 release America, they were a crowd-pleasing end to the festivities.

*With only an on-stage projector providing any front-lighting, Portugal. The Man brought muscular shadow rock to the stage. With Metallica and Pink Floyd covers interspersed with their hits “Live in the Moment” and “Feel It Still.”

*Chvrches delivered their delectable brand of pop behind the 2018 Love is Dead. Leader Lauren Mayberry strutted the stage and took her long locks on wild rides during sons new and old.

*Misterwives got the crowd moving with their eclectic sounds and looks. Led by Mandy Lee and her radiant stage presence, they were certainly one of the day’s finest moments.

*The Utah foursome The Aces rocked the smaller music discovery stage. With their debut album When My Heart Felt Volcanic obviously well known by many in the audience singing along, this young band wowed.

*Locally-based Saint Slumber began the day at the main stage with an exciting set of rock. Showing flashes of great potential, they were a great beginning to a day of rock and pop.

The rest of the day featured wonderful sets from the likes of Walk the Moon, Joywave, The Neighbourhood, Slenderbodies and L.I.F.T.

Chris Sikich