On October 31st, Bleachers released their newest live album, titled From the Studio to the Stage: Live from Madison Square Garden, NYC. The album was recorded on October 4, 2024 during their From the Studio to the Stage tour.

Bleachers, the brain-child of artist/producer Jack Antonff, began their career as a secret solo project for Antonoff while with his previous band, fun. Their first release, Strange Desires launched their career, reaching number two on U.S. alternative and rock charts. The album was propelled by the lead single, “I Wanna Get Better,” as well as fan-favorite, “Rollercoaster.” Since then, the band has steadily released a group of albums that have only helped to grow their popularity.

From the Studio to the Stage is the band’s fourth live album and commemorates their stop at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden. The 90 minute, 23 song setlist is a powerhouse that highlights a collection of songs that beautifully blend heavy topics with music that makes you want to get out of your seat and dance.

One of the things that most impressed me about this recording is the ability to really capture the feeling of being at a Bleacher’s show through the medium of audio. Antonoff is a brilliant front-man whose ability to keep the audience in the palm of his hands is reminiscent of the great frontmen in rock history. His joy and passion ooze through all 90 minutes of this show, and his direction to run in place or get people onto shoulders (to make it like Glastonbury) ring through as examples of how he creates a party environment during their show.

On my first listen, the thing that struck me most was how well the recording captures the feeling of being at a Bleachers show. Antonoff and company bring such a raw joy and enthusiasm throughout the performance that bleeds through to the listener. It’s impossible to not feel like you’re in the moment with them. Throughout the set, Antonoff has the crowd in the palm of his hands and you can absolutely feel it as he directs the audience to run in place during “Don’t Go Dark” or telling fans to get up on someone’s shoulders to make it like Glastonbury. It helps to create such a vivid image of what’s happening in Madison Square Garden, even without being there.

Another area where this recording shines is the balance of the band and crowd. The audience level in the recording is always at a level where it isn’t detrimental to the song, but it adds to the overall atmosphere. Often times during the songs, Antonoff drops out and lets the crowd take the part, creating an absolutely magical atmosphere to hear thousands of people singing to the band’s accompaniment.

One addition to the album that was particularly cool is the occasional inclusion of audio from the in-ear monitors/talk back mics. These are often used for the band to communicate amongst each other, or to communicate to backstage personnel. I think this is a really cool touch as it lets you go behind the scenes of a show a little bit. Hearing Jack pump up the band or ask for drinks on stage isn’t an earth-shattering thing to hear, but it’s a very interesting offering. I hope more bands include snippets like this as a way to break the wall a little between the band and fans.

Overall, this album is a really fun listen. The setlist covers a catalog of great music that the band has produced over the last decade, and there’s some great alternate acoustic performances that add a little more variation for some songs that appeared on the band’s previous live album.

You can stream the album on Spotify and Apple Music, or you can purchase the digital album via Bandcamp. A vinyl release of the album is available through Dirty Hit.

Track Listing

1. I Am Right On Time
2. Modern Girl
3. Jesus Is Dead
4. How Dare You Want More
5. Wake Me
6. Everybody Lost Somebody
7. Goodmorning
8. Call Me After Midnight
9. Me Before You
10. Chinatown
11. Don’t Go Dark On Me
12. Self Respect
13. Wild Heart
14. Juno Interlude
15. Rollercoaster
16. Let’s Get Married
17. 91 (acoustic)
18. Dream of Mickey Mantle (acoustic)
19. Ordinary Heaven
20. Tiny Moves
21. I Wanna Get Better
22. Don’t Take the Money
23. Stop Making This Hurt

Personnel

• Jack Antonoff
• Sean Hutchinson
• Mikey Freedom Hart
• Sean Hutchinson
• Evan Smith
• Mike Riddleberger
• Zemu Audu