The Greeting Committee talk star-studded homecoming show at Midland
Photo by Sierra Sevier
The Greeting Committee is gearing up for their “10 Years of Blooming” show at The Midland Theatre on August 17.
Following the release of their latest record, Everyone’s Gone And I Know I’m The Cause, the band has been touring nationwide. Kansas City gets a special night from the band, with three of the four being KC natives. This homecoming show isn’t a standard concert, but a massive hometown appreciation party with surprises, special guests, vintage pop-ups, and some damn good music.
“I really love the musicians that we have with us,” says lead vocalist Addie Sartino. “I was very particular in curating the lineup, and I’m a huge fan of everybody there.”
The list of performers includes Beach Bunny, Boyish, and Miloe all while being MCed by comedian Caleb Hearon, who is also a KC native.
“They (Beach Bunny) are huge, much bigger than us. Lily is just such a humble person and a good friend that she was like, ‘No, I totally want to do this and make it work.’ I think that that’s special, and I want to shout them out for that,” says Sartino.
Photo by Sierra Sevier
The Greeting Committee has been excited about performing this album live. With its many catchy choruses and upbeat production, they’ve seen some of their best shows yet.
“It was really fun to play these new songs live. I feel like it’s some of the most fun we’ve had together on tour,” says guitarist Noah Spencer. The lively show’s impact seems to be infectious, bassist and producer Pierce Turcotte says, “I feel like this is the first time I’ve noticed people singing along to the music.”
Armed with a new, yet ever-changing setlist, all three interviewees had wildly different answers for their favorite song to perform live. Turcotte picks the lead single for the album, “popmoneyhits,” Sartino chooses the smooth and romantic “Sex and Taxes,” and Spencer selects the emotionally intense “Don’t Talk.”
As they debate their answers, Sartino says, “If we all have different favorite moments, honestly, that means it’s a good set.”
A night filled with many special moments between the band, their touring crew, and their hometown fans, wouldn’t be complete without a few extra special surprises. I was tipped on one of them, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy. Sorry folks, you’ll have to come out and see it for yourselves. The other, however, remains a mystery to us over at The Pitch.
“There’s a huge surprise happening. You’re on the fence about going to the show. You should absolutely go to the show,” says Sartino. “And I feel like I’m not hyping that up in a way. That you’re going to be like, ‘Oh, eye-roll. This is what you were leading to?’ I think it’s actually a really awesome moment.”
Photo by Sierra Sevier
The Midland Theatre performance marks a major milestone for the band, and they’re all currently pinching themselves over the upcoming show.
“This is my dream venue, like in the whole world. So this is a really like, I’m probably gonna throw up,” says Sartino. Growing up, they all aspired to play the historical theatre, and see the upcoming performance as a sign of how far they’ve come as artists. “The fact that this is kind of where it’s landed right now is just kind of wild,” says Spencer.
Having finally returned to KC, The Greeting Committee is eager to return to some of their favorite local stops like Oddly Correct, Messenger Coffee Co., and Room 39. Another way they’ve celebrated this wonderful little corner of the world is by hosting a number of local vintage venders. “I just really wanted to show off Kansas City businesses and creatives. So just kind of, as a homage to Kansas City and how much we love it,” says Sartino.
Grab your tickets here, unless you want to feel all sorts of FOMO. And be sure to not miss the vintage pop-ups in the basement starting at 5 p.m. We’ll see you there, Kansas City.
