“I worship you” were the first words Never Shout Never frontman (and main brain behind the NSN project) Christofer Drew said to the sea of screaming adolescent girls that sold out Gramercy Theatre on Friday, May 11. It would have seemed that Chris was just reading the minds of girls assumingly crying in the front row, equipped with posters and all. At one point during the show a bra was thrown on stage – an act which seemed to bore frontman Drew as he attempted to make a joke that someone threw ear warmers at him.

When first hearing Never Shout Never’s infectious pop-rock tunes, it would come to no surprise that any concert goer of theirs should expect a certain tween demographic. That being said, if there was ever a time for 20-somethings to feel like they need to be auditioning for a Wonder Years reunion, it would have been attending this show.

However, certain credit needs to be handed to Christofer Drew for seemingly putting together a flawless concert over screams of “I love you!”s and “marry me!”s. Never Shout Never are one of the few acts that, if you can get past swearing you’re at a boy band concert, can be appreciated for their true musicianship. Chris switched between harmonicas, ukuleles and an abundance of guitars to deliver fan favorites like “Can’t Stand It," “Heregoesnothing” (one of his older songs that he claimed he “never plays anymore” but was majorly fan-requested that night) and “Trouble.”

Long time fans of Christofer Drew know that he was once a solo-act; most of his earlier EPs are just himself and one or two instruments. In 2010 Chris Drew made the decision to incorporate a full band which made every song burst onstage with great energy in lieu of the dreamy acoustics. A testament to artists who love their fans as much as the fans love them, Chris Drew managed to retain a sense of intimacy with the crowd regardless of the new backing band.

All in all, a nicely done pop show and a pat on the back for Never Shout Never. Just bring the ear plugs along next time. 

Photos courtesy of Kristen Cusumano and buzznet.com