This Band Proves You Can Still Mosh to Melancholy Music

Spencer York isn’t immune to getting stuck in the digital quicksand that is doomscrolling.

The drummer of California post-hardcore group Movements admits to as much when Westword catches up with him during a recent tour stop in Maryland. “Oh, I’m just scrolling through some Instagram and stuff, just bullshit,” York says with a laugh.

It helps kill time before soundcheck, but sometimes the algorithm’s relentless onslaught of doom and gloom is tough to ignore, no matter where he’s at. “Luckily, it was a pretty good one. I didn’t see too many current-event ones, so that was nice for a change. It’s hard to avoid sometimes,” he adds.

“Not to get too political, but I remember when the election was finalized, we were just boarding a plane to go to South America. I thought that I was going to be like, ‘Yes, this is great. I get to have a little break from the U.S. and just detox over that,’ and it was all doomscrolling.”

For York, the best way to break free from such a technological trance and be totally in the moment is hitting the stage with Movements, which includes vocalist Patrick Miranda, bassist Austin Cressey and guitarist Ira George. Of course, catching some live music is an antidote for the audience, too, and a Movements show is sure to always keep you on your toes.

“You might get somebody crowd surfing on your head. Patrick’s pretty good at riling up the crowd,” York shares.

So keep your phone in your pocket and your head up when Movements comes through Denver on Thursday, March 27. The Fillmore Auditorium show also features Citizen, Scowl and Downward.

Movements, a band that’s been at the forefront of the emo revival for the past decade, is coming equipped with a stacked setlist of new songs – particularly the latest singles, “Where I Lay” and “Afraid To Die” – and deep cuts, York promises.

“We’ve baked in some songs off of No Good Left To Give that we haven’t really played often, if at all,” he says, adding that diehards can expect to hear companion pieces “No Good Left To Give” and “Love Took The Last Of It” from the breakout sophomore record. “I don’t think we’ve ever played that on a tour before, or live, ever.”

“Coeur D’Alene,” from 2023’s RUCKUS!, is another track making its live debut.

“There’s a little bit of everything,” York says. “There’s some really feel-good, dancey-type of stuff, and there’s some very emotional deep cuts.”

Movements are masters of making mosh-inducing music with melancholy lyrics, thanks to Miranda’s gut-wrenching honesty and the guidance of longtime collaborator Will Yip, the producer known for his work with Circa Survive and Code Orange.

“‘Where I Lay’ is one of those songs that was tough for me to write,” York shares. “Lyrically, it’s really emotionally vulnerable, and it had me revisiting places with my writing that I hadn’t explored in a while. It’s for anyone else out there who feels like they’ve never quite fit right in the world. This one is for the outcasts.”

The track also serves as a continuation of “Afraid To Die” in forming a sinister storyline, he continues.

“The idea is that ‘Afraid To Die’ and ‘Where I Lay’ are living in the same world thematically – and, in some ways, are extensions of one another. In ‘Afraid To Die,’ I’m being chased by masked figures. In ‘Where I Lay,’ the masked figure is going to be me,” Miranda explains. “Since ‘Where I Lay’ is about feeling like you don’t belong, it’s almost this idea that the reason I was being chased in ‘Afraid To Die’ is because I never really was supposed to be part of the group of masked figures to begin with. It’s like you’re wearing a mask to try to blend in, but in the end, it’s pointless because, one way or another, you’ll be found out.”

“Where I Lay” only dropped last month, on February 19, and is already becoming a fan favorite, if its reception is any indication.

“The song is performing really, really well for us, and we’re incredibly happy with that. The crowd participation with that song, too, has just been absolutely insane,” York says. “It’s been up there with some of our most popular songs. It’s a comforting feeling to know that we’re still doing it right.”

He hints that the next album is slowly starting to materialize, though the singles are strictly stand-alones and not necessarily an indication of what’s coming next. But he is excited for a big 2025, including playing the Orlando edition of the recently resurrected Warped Tour on November 15-16.

With Movements on the move so much, York doesn’t mind being offline more often.

“Music helps so much,” he concludes. “It’s such a good escape.”

Movements, with Citizen, Scowl and Downward, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 27, Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson Street. Tickets are $64-$184.