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JFH Concert Review


Poema

 

Poema
6/8/10, at Main Street Cafe in Kansas City, KS

Though Kansas City's Main Street Cafe mostly sees independent artists come through their doors and play on their stage, every once in a while you can catch a bigger name band taking the spotlight. On June 8, 2010, amongst a slew of unsigned bands, Tooth & Nail newcomers Poema played the venue for their first time to a moderately-sized crowd. Though they were the only label band playing that evening, they weren't the headliners. The night's line up was slightly odd, but there was a bit of talent throughout the night, regardless.

Five bands played that evening, and of those five, Poema was billed second. First up was a group of young musicians (if I had to make an estimate on the average age, I'd say eighteen) called The Author & the Illustrator (formery known as Exit the Author, and when I say formerly, I mean they changed it like the day before). They experimented with their sound a little, sounding a little like Paulson here and there but also changing it up with a little straight rock too, though they never got real heavy. The band that played after Poema was one called Windsor Drive, who was actually the band listed on the concert flyer as the main band "with special guests Poema." I found out that, despite their independent status, Windsor Drive had actually gone through Tooth & Nail to set up the tour. They were a piano/pop rock quartet whose music would be appreciated by fans of Remedy Drive or U2. They played a short set, and were followed by an indie-style band called Holy Mountain and the night was concluded with a worship group known as The Renewal, who was giving out free CD-R copies of an EP they created. They were mostly just standard, but they had good hearts and the worship was pretty good.

While Poema was not the headlining act - contrary to what I had thought - they were the group I was there to see that particular evening. I'm usually a little hesitant about seeing new bands, not knowing much about them and only hearing a short selection of songs, but I got a small taste of who Poema was as people before their set even officially began. Little did I know, my girlfriend talked to the sisters of the band beforehand and got them to sing "Happy Birthday" to me from the stage. It was embarrassing, but it was great to see that they were real people, not just singers in a band. Their setup was of a more acoustic nature than what you get on their debut EP Sing It Now. They had a box instead of drums, a keyboard, an acoustic guitar and an acoustic bass. They played five songs from Sing It Now, starting with "Feel The Same Way." "Echo Off The Sky" and "City Boy" came next, with some friendly chatter and joking between songs. The sound was clean and they proved to be a good live band. They announced that they have a new music video for their current single "2 AM," which they then played. Keyboardist Shealeen told a joke about a nervous Na'vi before playing "Blue Sweater" (think about it, movie fans), and finished their set with a song called "Love of My Life," which guitarist Elle said was one of the first songs they wrote. Poema's set was rather short, but it was the definite highlight of the night.

Poema is a good band to see live if you enjoy having your heart smile. "Blue Sweater" (do you get the joke yet?) can be a little emotional, but overall, their upbeat, catchy melodies and lyrics full of love and innocence make any in the audience leave with a smile on their face. Keep an eye out for them to come to your town, and pick up their EP as you leave.

-- Scott Fryberger, 6/12/10


 

Poema Set List
01. Feel The Same Way
02. Echo Off The Sky
03. City Boy
04. 2 AM
05. Blue Sweater
06. Love of My Life

 

Poema - Live June 8, 2010 Photo Gallery
click on an image for a bigger size
**vertical images cropped for thumbnails**

Poema:

*all photos by Scott Fryberger and are the property of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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