PREVIEW: Pinkshift Celebrating Five Years of “Saccharine”
08/25 @ No Fun, Troy
Artist photo by Luna
“While the group has been on the rise since Saccharine debuted, there’s no doubt they are destined to be something colossal in the future.”
In my experience, anniversary shows can be some of the most fun sets to attend. The band and crowd get to share something special, celebrating both the passage of time and a specific piece of music they love. On August 25, Maryland-based pop-punk group Pinkshift is bringing one of those electric anniversaries to Troy.
All the way back in 2018, founding members Ashrita Kumar and Paul Vallejo met at college and put together the powerhouse that would become Pinkshift. Soon after that, the first singles from the now-iconic EP Saccharine were released. These songs, filled with the brash, energetic vibe that now defines Pinkshift, delivered the band to a larger audience. Since then, they have performed on tours, in festival lineups, as openers, and as headliners. Some of those shows were previous No Fun stops that kicked ass and left my ears ringing and heart pumping.
Now, Saccharine is turning five years old and Pinkshift are more than ready to party. To celebrate the release, Pinkshift has put together an anniversary edition of the EP that includes a new cover and additional demos from the time period that were previously unheard. They are also bringing the party to the Capital Region by storming into No Fun with fellow kickass bands Pollyanna and Sunbloc to play tracks off Saccharine as well as their other releases, Love Me Forever and Earthkeeper.
I have had the pleasure of seeing Pinkshift rock the stage at No Fun twice before. Each time, they bring a powerful, loud energy to the crowd and fill the room to the brim. The energy that singer Ashrita Kumar brings to each performance is undeniable and contagious. They bounce around on stage, screaming and singing into the microphone like the world depends on it. The rest of the band matches their energy, barreling through the set with a determination that will catch you in its wake.
Even though Pinkshift has now played stages of many sizes and in many countries, they still bring as much energy as physically possible to these smaller shows. While the group has been on the rise since Saccharine debuted, there’s no doubt they are destined to be something colossal in the future. Seeing them celebrate Saccharine and tear up the floor at such a fun (pun intended) venue is going to be a special experience. Tickets for this show are sure to sell out ahead of the performance so get yours now and be part of this moment. I hope to see you there and crash into you in the pit.
Follow Pinkshift on Instagram at @pinkshiftmd and online at pinkshiftmd.com. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and more information can be found on No Fun’s website at nofuntroy.com.
