The Aardvark: Flickerstick's Final Fort Worth Show

By Naheil Qudah
Staff Reporter


Flickerstick, one of Fort Worth’s most famous bands, played their last Panther City show Saturday February 28 after 13 years of playing music.

Menkena, a Dallas acoustic shoegaze band, started off the night with some slow melodies. Their songs were performed well, although first-time listeners who rely on the bassline of a song to add depth and set tone would likely be disappointed. The bassist’s instrumentation seemed redundant in conjunction with the rhythm guitar, although he also provided excellent backup vocals.

Stella Rose, a rock band made up of three TCU alumni, followed Menkena and brought far more passion to the stage. Singer and guitarist Stephen Beatty displayed a powerful and punchy voice, bassist McKenna Madget wasn’t still for a moment and perspiration-soaked drummer Matt Mabe stuck around to punch in the front of his bass drum before strutting off stage. The music was exciting and well-written, although the band’s connection with the audience was weak. There seemed to be a communication barrier between the band and the audience, but that didn’t stop the audience from staying in motion and applauding enthusiastically after each song.

An impatient audience pressed against the stage and waited for the headlining band. Concert-goers shared stories of their first Flickerstick show, telling each other which songs got them through which breakups and which ones made them pick up an instrument. Just as people were getting lost in their nostalgia, the lights dimmed and the band walked on stage.

It was at this point that I noticed several audience members in front of me wearing earplugs, a precaution I later regretted not taking. I was entirely unprepared for the side effects of standing in the second row for two hours of excruciatingly loud and beautifully performed rock music.

Frontman Brandin Lea exhibited extreme talent with his vocals and musical performance. He refrained from playing guitar for the first two tracks, choosing instead to showcase his vocals. His passion for singing brought him to his knees several times and would continue to do so throughout the night. Once he picked up his guitar he played so powerfully that it only took a few songs before he drew blood from his strumming hand.

Lea expressed remorse that his brother and the band’s bassist Fletcher Lea was overseas during the last show. His duties were taken up by Jeremy Hull of local outfit Holy Moly, who gave an excellent performance (particularly considering that he only had one formal rehearsal with the band). Guitarists Tim Locke and Rex Ewing gave solid performances in addition to drummer Todd Harwell.

Brandin Lea became visibly more emotional as the show progressed. In an explosive finish the band left the stage and was immediately attacked by cries for an encore. Lea came out and performed a few solo songs, finally laying still on the stage for a little under a minute. Before exiting, he performed one last song that seemed to be dedicated to the audience. "Thirteen years," he sang into the microphone before walking away.

It was a wonderful show: an emotional and excellent end to a Fort Worth legacy. The lengthy standing ovation made it clear that the band will be greatly missed.