Bad Copy

Back in 2019, Balance and Composure played some farewell shows. Three of those shows ended up being in L.A. and Pomona and being from L.A., I knew I had to attend all three gigs. Fast forward to 2023, the band released Too Quick To Forgive, a collection of two songs via Memory Music and have played some shows with one more happening next month in New York followed by an appearance at Riot Fest.

One of the shows they’ve played so far this year was last Friday at The Novo in L.A. As soon as the show was announced, I knew this was one I could not miss. The supporting acts for the SOLD OUT gig were alternative/indie rockers, Seahaven and Death Bells.

Death Bells opened the show, and although the crowd did not seem very familiar with the band, they still gave them their undivided attention. Southern California’s Seahaven took the stage next and with them playing shows from time to time these days, fans couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sing along as the band played 11 songs. They kicked off their set with “Void” and “Moon” off their latest album, Halo of Hurt. It didn’t take long for them to dive into older material and fan favorites such as “It’s Over,” “Black & White,” and “Save Me” off Winter Forever. They ended their set with fan favorite, “Goodnight” and with them wrapping it up, fans were more than ready to see Balance and Composure do the damn thing.

Looking back at where I was 10 years ago, Balance and Composure were one of the bands that provided the late night soundtrack for the drive back home from grad school or from the gig. Fast forward to now, this show was a walk down memory lane and even though the band played some farewell shows four years ago, it felt like they never went away as the crowd gave them one hell of a welcome.

Balance and Composure got straight to business and kicked off their set with “Tiny Raindrop” off The Things We Think We’re Missing followed by “Savior Mode” one of the two new songs off Too Quick To Forgive. Early on, the band found a way to deliver a mix of new and older material that contained fan favorites and deep cuts. As we were treated to the other song off Too Quick To Forgive titled “Last To Know,” we also heard songs that the band released during their time at Vagrant Records. Some of those tunes included “Run From Me” and “Body Language” off Slow Heart and “Midnight Zone” and “Postcard” off Light We Made. Taking it even further back, Balance and Composure played “Keepsake,” “Back of Your Head,” “Parachutes,” and “Notice Me” off The Things We Think We’re Missing, the band’s second album. Off the band’s first album, Separation, we heard “I Tore You Apart In My Head,” “Quake,” “Stonehands,” and part of “More To Me.” Unfortunately, a fight broke out during “More To Me” and the band decided to not finish the song. A true bummer as they stopped playing right before the best part! Perhaps, I’m being bias as that song is my favorite off Separation, but to cap off the night, the band returned for an encore with “Reflection” off The Things We Think We’re Missing.

Should Balance and Composure decide to play more shows or release another album, fans have made it clear that they will be ready to rock as they moshed, crowd surfed, and sang along the entire time. We’ll be patiently waiting.