XPN Fest Recap: The Record Company remind us what rock is all about

The Record Company | Photo by Cameron Pollack for WXPN

With an outage at the River Stage resulting in no internet or broadcasting, XPoNential Festival was lucky enough to have The Record Company push onward at the Jerseyarts.com Marina Stage, where the band played with enough power and blues rock energy to amplify the audience. The band played to an absolutely monstrous crowd, which encircled them entirely around the stage. At one point, when frontman Chris Vos turned his back on the audience in front of him, he had a quick moment of surprise to see flocks of fans equally as eager watching the band from behind.

The Record Company are natural showmen and know how to get the crowd going, but one bass line in particular made the whole place erupt in cheers and applause, without a doubt an audience favorite. Old school vibes, guitar solos and heavy use of harmonica really shined a light on the band’s blues influences, and it was clear that they promoted getting a little funky. Drummer Marc Cazorla couldn’t resist getting in on all the fun himself, and left his kit for a more personal parade across the front of the stage with his tambourine.

The band are returning to the area again soon, on October 22nd for a performance at World Cafe Live. Vos made it clear during the set how much the band appreciates their fans. “If you see us, strike up a conversation,” Vos said. “We’d love to be friends.”

Not much was better than their powerhouse set, except maybe the occasional cold breeze off the river.