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Float Away
review
After experiencing Sunrise Cries, Musikfest 2025, easily made Favorite Bands list. Their original, Float Away, made my all-time most played list for a few reasons. When a band makes the Favs list, experience them every chance I can. Sunrise Cries played at ArtsQuest Memorial Day weekend 2026. Was curious what a more regular show was like. Bands that play Musikfest draw people walking by. They did not disappoint and showed a different side of the band. With a surprise ending...
Prior to the show, was informed it would be mostly cover songs. Not surprised, considering it was 2 hours. Musikfest highlighted their original music (definitely check out their debut album). ArtsQuest proved they are intimately familiar with music history (at least the last 50 years). Pink Floyd / Queen / David Bowie and many more showed their love for Classic Rock. Miles did a drum solo (beginning of Hot for Teacher / Van Halen) like he grew up in the 70's / 80's. Pretty much highest compliment I can give; especially growing up in those decades. Jack's guitar solo, on a Hendrix cover, was incredible! Peyton's lead vocals / acoustic performance gave the raw power / emotion honoring those decades.
The originals? Showing the audience who they are / what the band is capable of. I have a theory here. Cover songs / music shows us a band's / musician's range and limits in vocals and music. Originals prove what they are seriously capable of. Their real style / limits pushed / rules broken.
The band played 2 hours without a break! Not easy to accomplish. Energy level did not drop in the slightest in any moment. Each member gave it their best and way beyond. Another in the highest compliment category. The non-stop energy / music did have a slight drawback. It can get you into kind of a zone. Where one song blends with the next, you pay attention but, on a subtle level, tune the music out. Hard to describe the "Zone Out Factor". In sound check, they did Drive by Incubus. This would have been a perfect break song. Slowing down / changing tempo or pace brings you back to every movement / note / lyric. Personally, was seriously hoping they would have performed it. For a Lehigh Valley audience, the non-stop energy seriously worked!!!!
Speaking of Lehigh Valley audience... Sunrise Cries did something obscenely difficult in the Lehigh Valley. Having the crowd's attention at end of show; especially on a late Sunday night. 20 minutes left song: Pressure, crowd clapping with the band. Plus, people didn't start leaving until around 10:30 (show: 9 - 11 p.m.).
Overall:
Sunrise Cries did an excellent job playing for / reading the audience. Majority of Lehigh Valley is cover music heaven / hell (depending on your preference). Slipping in a few originals was a great surprise factor. Teasing everyone just enough to peak interest! Non-stop energy for 2 hours is very difficult for any band musician. Seriously, go to a concert of any major recording artist. Every moment, you could easily experience how much each member loves music / performing. To the band, it didn't matter if there were 5 or 5k people there. Giving the best possible experience is what truly matters to this band.
Final surprise (was not going to include this part): Mentioned how Float Away impacted me to a parent. It was the final song, they dedicated to me. In all the music reviews I have done (lost count years ago), definite 1st for me. Expect surprises with Sunrise Cries at every performance. They seriously love / appreciate every person who attends. For obvious reasons (11 p.m. on a Sunday night), ArtsQuest wanted to get everyone out, staff wanted to get home, don't blame them! The band still made time to have brief conversations with anyone.
Sunrise Cries is a rare band. You don't sit / listen to their performance, you experience every note / lyric, movement. They perform with passion / love for music / experience that major recording artists can learn from.
Prior to the show, was informed it would be mostly cover songs. Not surprised, considering it was 2 hours. Musikfest highlighted their original music (definitely check out their debut album). ArtsQuest proved they are intimately familiar with music history (at least the last 50 years). Pink Floyd / Queen / David Bowie and many more showed their love for Classic Rock. Miles did a drum solo (beginning of Hot for Teacher / Van Halen) like he grew up in the 70's / 80's. Pretty much highest compliment I can give; especially growing up in those decades. Jack's guitar solo, on a Hendrix cover, was incredible! Peyton's lead vocals / acoustic performance gave the raw power / emotion honoring those decades.
The originals? Showing the audience who they are / what the band is capable of. I have a theory here. Cover songs / music shows us a band's / musician's range and limits in vocals and music. Originals prove what they are seriously capable of. Their real style / limits pushed / rules broken.
The band played 2 hours without a break! Not easy to accomplish. Energy level did not drop in the slightest in any moment. Each member gave it their best and way beyond. Another in the highest compliment category. The non-stop energy / music did have a slight drawback. It can get you into kind of a zone. Where one song blends with the next, you pay attention but, on a subtle level, tune the music out. Hard to describe the "Zone Out Factor". In sound check, they did Drive by Incubus. This would have been a perfect break song. Slowing down / changing tempo or pace brings you back to every movement / note / lyric. Personally, was seriously hoping they would have performed it. For a Lehigh Valley audience, the non-stop energy seriously worked!!!!
Speaking of Lehigh Valley audience... Sunrise Cries did something obscenely difficult in the Lehigh Valley. Having the crowd's attention at end of show; especially on a late Sunday night. 20 minutes left song: Pressure, crowd clapping with the band. Plus, people didn't start leaving until around 10:30 (show: 9 - 11 p.m.).
Overall:
Sunrise Cries did an excellent job playing for / reading the audience. Majority of Lehigh Valley is cover music heaven / hell (depending on your preference). Slipping in a few originals was a great surprise factor. Teasing everyone just enough to peak interest! Non-stop energy for 2 hours is very difficult for any band musician. Seriously, go to a concert of any major recording artist. Every moment, you could easily experience how much each member loves music / performing. To the band, it didn't matter if there were 5 or 5k people there. Giving the best possible experience is what truly matters to this band.
Final surprise (was not going to include this part): Mentioned how Float Away impacted me to a parent. It was the final song, they dedicated to me. In all the music reviews I have done (lost count years ago), definite 1st for me. Expect surprises with Sunrise Cries at every performance. They seriously love / appreciate every person who attends. For obvious reasons (11 p.m. on a Sunday night), ArtsQuest wanted to get everyone out, staff wanted to get home, don't blame them! The band still made time to have brief conversations with anyone.
Sunrise Cries is a rare band. You don't sit / listen to their performance, you experience every note / lyric, movement. They perform with passion / love for music / experience that major recording artists can learn from.
video review
performance highlights
Guitar Solo
Drum Solo
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