Circus Trees

Andrew Ross, contributor and host of Spin This!

Circus Trees delivered a spellbinding performance at Taffeta Music Hall in Lowell, Massachusetts, captivating the intimate 400-person venue with a full rendition of their album This Makes Me Sad And I Miss You. The Marlborough, MA based band on this night featured—sisters Finola (vocals/guitar), Edmee McCarthy (bass), brother Eoghan McCarthy (percussion), Matthew Vincenty (guitar) and Lauren Gallagher (trumpet), made for an unforgettable night, blending emotional depth, powerful execution, and a towering wall of sound that left the audience wanting more.

From the opening acoustic chords of “More Than You Could Ask For,” the first track of their deeply personal album, Circus Trees unleashed a sonic juggernaut. Taffeta’s state-of-the-art sound system mixed with sound handled by Liam Mackenzie amplified their signature post-rock and shoegaze-infused style. From Finola’s haunting vocals, soaring thick guitar riffs, Edmee’s steadfast fuzzed out basslines, brother Eoghan with his thunderous, pulse pounding percussion, and Matthew Vincenty filling out the engulfing sonic bliss that is Circus Trees for this raw and intense performance. The result was a wall of sound that enveloped the historic mill venue, each note reverberating with raw intensity. The album’s droning, melancholic textures, paired with the band’s tight instrumentation, created a powerful atmosphere that was both crushing and cathartic.

The emotional core of the performance lay in the complete playthrough of This Makes Me Sad And I Miss You. Each song, from the aching vulnerability of “Wish I Was Fine” to the soaring melancholy of “Trap Door,” was delivered with heart-wrenching sincerity. Finola’s vocals, often described as wise beyond her years, carried a poignant weight, drawing the audience into the album’s themes of love, loss, and longing. The familial synergy was palpable, with Edmee and brother Eoghan weaving intricate instrumental layers that built to climactic crescendos, only to retreat into delicate, introspective moments. This dynamic interplay amplified the emotional resonance of the set, making every lyric, chord and earth shaking bang of the drums feel like a shared confession.

Standout moments included the gut-punching "Alone”, where the crowd stood in silence, and a personal favorite, the raw heartbreaking quality of their track “Negative Feedback” We see the band push their wall of sound to its limits, leaving the room vibrating with energy. Taffeta’s intimate setting, with its clear sightlines and stellar acoustics, was the perfect stage for such a raw, immersive experience, cementing its reputation as a haven for rising acts like Circus Trees.

The band’s connection with the crowd was evident, as they engaged fans with warmth and offered exclusive merch, including vinyl copies of their album along with limited-edition album t-shirts for the show. Circus Trees’ performance was a testament to their growth as artists, channeling their DIY roots into a powerful, emotional journey. Next up for Circus Trees, a return visit to Indianapolis to perform on Friday July 25th at this year's 2025 Post Festival. Get ready for all things Post Festival and hear from Circus Trees on Episode 28 of my show, Spin This! Listen exclusively over on Soundwaves.

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