A month ago, I had the privilege of seeing my first SNACKTIME show. I know, the blasphemy of living in Philadelphia for over 10 years and finally seeing SNACKTIME. However, it was the perfect timing, as this was their hometown concert on their first-ever self-titled tour. I got the chance to sit down and talk with Sam and Nico leading up to their performance, detailing what they were most excited about with this special round of shows. But even then, I was thoroughly taken aback by how much talent the band possessed, both individually and cohesively. And needless to say, it may have been my first show, but it certainly wasn’t my last.

Read more: A Night With SNACKTIME

My first encounter with SNACKTIME was after Hannibal Buress’s show in Philly. They had all been recording together, and I convinced everyone to come meet up with me at Time for some live music. Even to this day I wonder what the hell they could have been recording, because if you’ve never heard Hannibal’s music under the name Eshu Tune, I strongly recommend looking it up. Between his absolute absurdity and the energy from SNACKTIME, I’m sure it was a riot. I remember vibing with everyone very well, with each band member having a different but kind and grounded personality. Separately, their newer lead singer, Nico Bryant, and I were friends on Instagram. Every time I sent Nico a flyer for something I was working on, he responded with so much support and enthusiasm. That can sometimes be rare to find, and it never went past me.

What I loved about the show from start to finish was that every song felt so authentically them, and yet nothing felt repetitive. They spanned a variety of genres and also covered classics by Prince and D’Angelo. Sam’s tribute to the late D’Angelo was also extremely touching, underscoring just how much the singer impacted their artistic journey. Nico’s vocals were absolutely splendid in every vocal range he hit, showing his true grasp of using his voice as his instrument. And every other musician on the stage exemplified the same, with each member incorporating about 2 to 3 instruments throughout the set, sometimes even in the span of one song.

What made the show even more phenomenal was discovering frontman Nico Bryant’s age. I was truly astonished upon learning that the funky and soulful singer was well under 30 years old, because his stage presence was that of someone who has been performing for decades. As he danced and grooved throughout each song, he never once lost his vocal ability. If anything, his actual performance showcased his vocal ability even further, making him the perfect singer for the dynamic group. SNACKTIME as a band has a wonderful blend, and it’s evident that every member has a tremendous amount of respect for one another, especially Sam, the member who has become a figurehead for the group. He leads the performance with a humble, silent dominance, commanding attention despite standing toward the side of the stage. You can’t help but feel glued to him whenever he has the mic, sharing a bit of background on what the group is about to perform.

Above all, what stood out most to me about SNACKTIME was their kindness and humility. I had every intention of Brandon, my incredible photographer, and I going for the show, having a drink or two, stepping out mid-performance for a joint, and then wrapping up by 10 pm. Instead, we were glued to the show, only stepping away for another round of drinks, then slipping back into our spots at the side of the stage. From the moment Nico saw us, he made our experience hospitable from his position, acknowledging our presence. After the show, they all came to meet us, spending almost an hour outside chatting, catching up, and giving us more details about their experiences on their first tour. They made it known how much they appreciated us being there for a pivotal part of their journey, and they loved sharing their passion for music with us. It’s truly no wonder why SNACKTIME is such a Philadelphia treasure, and I can’t wait to watch them continue to grow.

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