Badflower
- theeyesofthecrowd
- Nov 12, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 21, 2023
October 15th, 2022 | St. Louis - The Pageant
Written By: Brandi Lyn
Photographed By: Brandiilynphotography
Badflower is an American Rock Band from in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of Singer and Guitarist Josh Katz, Guitarist Joey Morrow, bassist Alex Espiritu and drummer Anthony Sonetti.
Touring alongside AWOLNATION for their Falling Forward Tour. Preforming at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri opening with their song “White Noise” from their 2016 EP album Temper.
Badflower played mostly from their 2019 album OK, I’m Sick and their 2021 Album This is How the World Ends. Performing “Don’t Hate Me”, “Johnny Wants to Fight”, “Heroin”, “The Jester”, “Promise Me”, “Ghost”, and “Stalker”. As well as performed their 2015 single “Soap”.
“Hello St. Louis”, Josh said, “I don’t think we’ve ever played this one. We played the Dalmar Hall”. He said referring to the venue. “Was anybody at those shows?” He asked and the crowd cheered. “Well, it’s very nice to see you again”.
Badflower began playing their song “Don’t Hate Me” and fans sang along.
“I heard you started dating the singer from that emo band. What if my band was more like their band? Would you hate me then?” Fans chanted the lyrics along with Josh.
"This never ending obsession to kill our own reflection. Depression makes no exceptions except the rich and sexy. My delusion is better than facing the truth about me. I can see that you're angry, but don't hate me" - Don't Hate Me
After performing their song "Johnny wants to Fight", Josh stopped to tune his guitar and fans cheered, “I know, this is fun, you did something tonight. How do you feel about that?” He asked and the crowd screamed. “I don’t know any of you but… I’m pretty sure you’ve been doing a lot of nothing. So, it’s nice to see you finally.” He said and began performing their song “Heroin” leading into their song “The Jester”.
"Is there anybody out there looking out for me? Just say you want me, just say you need me. Is there anybody out there looking out for me? Does anybody need me?" - The Jester
Finishing the song Josh stopped to shout out The Mysterines (the band that performed before them) as well as introduce themselves and the next band Awolnation.
“Give it up for The Mysterines” the crowd cheered, “We’re Badflower, whatever,” Josh said and the crowd laughed and cheered. “And did you know Awolnation is playing after us?” He said and the crowd cheered again. The lights turned on, showing more of the venue.
“Oh, hello top area”. Josh said looking up, just noticing the second-floor seating area. “Did you pay more to be up there? Or did you pay less?” He joked, “Or just the same, you just found your way.” Josh continued, “Cool… I didn’t know you were there.” He said and the crowd laughed. “Now I do, Hello… Bottom we’re tight.” He laughed and the lower level cheered.
They began performing their next song “Soap”, which fans did not expect since Badflower hadn’t played it live in years. Fans began to freak out and cheer, singing along with Josh.
“That one’s fun, we should play that more often,” Joey said once the song ended. “We haven’t played that in like 5 years.” Josh said.
During their next song “Promise Me”, a girl (Jayy) in the audience got down on one knee and asked her boyfriend (Corey) to marry her. Once the song was finished Josh pointed at the couple and said, “Now a lot of you didn't see this. Did you say yes?” and they nodded their heads. “He said Yes”, and the crowd cheered for the newly engaged couple.
“Congrats to the happy and newly engaged couple right here,” Joey said and handed the girl a guitar pick. “Now don’t just say ‘No’ when the show's over. You said ‘Yes’. That was beautiful.” Josh said.
(Video Credit to Badflower's Videographer)
Talking with Jayy she explained that she had met the band before the show and they told them her plan to propose to her boyfriend.
“So basically with him and I… Music really brought us together and I was the one to show him badflower and forced him to memorize all the lyrics. We said if we ever go to a Badflower show, one of us has to propose.” Jayy said, “So I got the tickets and planned it all out to surprise him. Badflower has always been my number 1 band and I'm so glad that they were there for such a big part in our lives. We're always at shows and music is just a really big factor in our relationship, that's what makes it so special.” - Jayy Matt
Next, Badflower performed their song “Ghost”. Relating the song to depression and anxiety, a lot of people have connected with this song specifically as well as the band.
“Take the blade away from me — I am a freak, I am afraid that all the blood escaping me won't end the pain and I'll be haunting all the lives that cared for me. I died to be the white ghost of the man that I was meant to be.” - Ghost
Ending their set with a more uplifting and chaotic song “Stalker”. The lights flash on and Josh is sitting on the stage as the lyrics played threw the speakers and fans screamed along to the lyrics. “Stalker, stalker. One day I'll probably fucking kill her, kill her. 'Cause if she ever got to know me, know me — She'd probably think I'm fucking crazy, crazy.” Josh started turning his head back and forth along with the beat and fans continued to scream the lyrics. He stood up during the first verse and made his way to the other side of the stage. Jumping off stage and into the crowd. He handed a fan his mic as he played the guitar and sang the chorus. Once the second verse hit he took the mic and walked through the crowd — Making his way to the middle. He handed another fan the mic as he sang the second chorus and fans screamed along to the lyrics.
Video By: Jordan Shea
While Josh was making his way through the crowd and back to the stage, Anthony played a drum solo and fans cheered along. Walking back onstage when Anthony was done, Josh screamed, “Make some fucking noise”, and fans screamed louder. Finishing their song Josh says, “Goodnight, Thank you so much”.
The Crowds Perspective
“It was my 29th show and it's still as exciting and incredible as the first time. They’re the kindest and most humble dudes ever. They're so considerate of their fans, they'll always stop to say hi or chat a little bit, you don't always get that with bigger bands.” - Marissa Westfall
“I first heard of BADFLOWER about 4 years ago when they started playing GHOST on the Point. But what really got my attention was the PROMISE ME song. It was just so perfect to me and I've been hooked ever since. I knew right then that someday this band will be huge. I mean these guys are so good and they just keep outdoing themselves. My girlfriend Monica and I have been to every show since 2019. Twice at Point Fest , Delmar Hall and then the Pageant. The last show at the Pageant being my favorite. JOSH came off the stage and walked all the way through the crowd , stopped at me. He tried to hand me the microphone but my hands were full so I dropped my phone. Luckily a few people on INSTAGRAM since then have been sending me their videos of the moment - Josh saranading me with STALKER. I do consider myself one of their biggest fans so for this to happen to me was indeed a definite most important concert moment for me.” - Laura Thompson
“The show was great! It was my 5th time seeing them but they never disappoint. The setlist was really well-rounded and the band seemed like they were having fun as always. I ran into Joey after the show and got to say hello to him, which was cool. He didn’t seem to be in a rush at all, super cool dude.” - Jordan Shea
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