As one book closed on 2022 and another opened on 2023, The Last Generation on Film stood onstage at Northern Liberties venue Ortlieb’s, belting out Coldplay’s “Yellow.” It’s kind of the perfect choice for them — our Paige Walter was in attendance, and recalls the packed venue freaking out the moment the soaring intro dropped — and it’s perfect because the synth-dipped, epic-in-scope, emotive music that this Philly band deals in are powerfully embodied in that hit, as well as the generation of post-millennial indie artists that came in its wake.
Over a pair of EP releases — Reflections from 2021 and Repetitions from 2020 — The Last Generation on Film has established itself as Philly purveyors of heartbreak and catharsis. We hear it when frontperson Jeff Familetti sings “Do I make you happy? Either I do or don’t” in this Key Studio Sessions performance of “Happy.” We hear it in the frustrated decoupling of “One Less Voice,” which speaks to the emptiness that exists when a relationship ends, even one fraught with turmoil. There’s also a sense of hope and aspirations of joy in their music, as we hear on “Queen,” a character sketch of a lonely server at a bar (fun fact: 3/4 of Last Generation on Film have probably served you drinks at The Standard Tap or Second District Brewing) who yearns to flip their unhappy past on its head.
Originally a duo project of multi-instrumentalists Familetti and Ryan Bayler, The Last Generation on Film grew into a four-piece live band in the aftermath of lockdown, with drummer Joseph Tocket and bassist Cameron Kynett featuring on this session. The performance below will give you an idea what to expect when they take the stage Sunday with Static Shapes (watch their Key Studio Session here) and Sold for an expertly-curated night of moody, emotive and energized synth-driven modern rock from Philly. Get tickets and more information on the show at the WXPN Concerts and Events page.