#concert review

[dailytomlinson]

Louis Tomlinson may only have two solo albums but he's proving to be one of the artists people should keep an eye on.

Having burst onto the music scene in 2010 as one-fifth of One Direction – a band created by Nicole Scherzinger on The X Factor after all five members were rejected, he's proven he's not just an ex-boyband singer. While singers from bands tend to keep a low profile and venture into other industries after a split, Louis is on a one-way ticket to becoming a mega-star in his own right.

Known for never losing his Doncaster accent and humour, the 31-year-old is currently embarking on his Faith In The Future World Tour, performing to thousands of die-hard fans every night – which he deserves credit for.

Although he may have come from one of the biggest bands of all time, the cheeky chap isn't afraid of getting up close and personal with fans – much to the dismay of his security who leap into action when he jumps off stage and runs to the barricade to see fans. In recent weeks, Louis has seen his expensive vests ripped off him, with fans even going as far as tickling him.

This, however, hasn't stopped him from putting on an incredible show. Despite only releasing two studio albums as a soloist (his second topping the Official UK Charts), he's pushing himself to the limits and playing arenas across the world. Most recently, he performed to around 21,000 fans at Manchester's AO Arena on November 11.

Walking onto the stage may be daunting for some, but Tomlinson showed no signs of fear as he opened with The Greatest – ironically, perhaps the greatest opening track. Throughout the night, he performed hits including Kill My Mind but also paying tribute to his One Direction days, belting out Drag Me Down and Where Do Broken Hearts Go. But since his pop days, Tomlinson has edged towards a more EDM and synth sound before finding his comfort in rockier tracks. He'd previously stated he'd taken inspiration from the likes of Sam Fender, Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys and Manchester legends, Oasis.

Nowadays, fans can expect the odd pop hit but also enjoy punk rock as well as indie pop and soft rock.

However, despite being in the business for almost 14 years, Louis remained grounded and acknowledged that Manchester was the start of his career. Between songs, he recalled his first audition for The X Factor in front of Simon Cowell, Scherzinger and Louis Walsh, being in the city. He told fans: "This is where I did my very first audition, so to be back here on my own it definitely feels full circle and I couldn't have done that without you.

"I think f**k knows how long that was, ten years, 11 years? Now I'm back on this stage and that is all thanks to you guys. I make the tunes, I'll give you that, but if you lot don't turn up, this is not a thing so thank you, I f**king love you all, we've done it together." But it isn't just his fans that got him to where he is today – it's down to his music, which he rightfully credited.

Although One Direction may not have been everyone's cup of tea, Tommo, certainly is and he caters for everybody, he even performed an impressive cover of the Arctic Monkeys 505, paying homage to his South Yorks routes. It's safe to say, Tommo, you've smashed it once again and delivered an epic show.

[faith--in-the-future]

what I like to see <3

[wiiildflowerrr]

'5 Seconds of Summer have proven why support acts shouldn't be overlooked'

Daily Mirror (UK), 5 October 2023

'5 Seconds of Summer may have had a helping hand from One Direction but almost eight years since their last tour with the group, the Aussie lads have proven they're more than enough, writes Daniel Bird...'

Full article / review of The 5SOS Show Manchester below (link):

'Arguably one of the biggest bands right now, it's no surprise that 5 Seconds of Summer are continuing to sell out arenas.

Having seen the four Aussies at the start of their career, playing in venues with a capacity of 300 with tickets being sold for less than £15, to now seeing them at stadiums and sold-out arenas, they've come a long way. Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin first joined forces in 2011, uploading videos to YouTube and amassing a string of fans.

One of those happened to be Louis Tomlinson from One Direction, who invited the quartet to support them on their 2013 Take Me Home Tour. They went on to support the 1D lads for another two years on the Where We Are and On The Road Again tours, performing to millions of fans across the globe.

But while they were warming the crowd up, the group were also busy with their own music, with early releases including Out Of My Limit and arguably their best track, Heartache on the Big Screen, they soon went on to establish their own name, 5SOS (five sauce). With this new-found fame came their own fans, in their thousands.

Tickets for their headline shows would sell out within minutes as fans packed venues to hear their favourite songs live. But in 12 years, they've proven that support acts shouldn't be overlooked. Many of us go to gigs, often missing the support act or not taking anything away from them but these lads were different.

Was it their humour? Their childish energy at times? Their on-stage banter with one another? That's something we won't know but their recent show at Manchester's AO Arena on the The 5 Seconds of Summer Show was certainly one of their best. Opening the show with Bad Omens, certainly set the mood for the night as Luke, Calum, Michael and Ashton delved through their back catalogue and delivered an electric set.

Part of the show included audience participation, with a giant red dice being launched into the audience by Hemmings, allowing the crowd to choose the next song, with Voodoo Doll being chosen, much to the excitement of the 21,000 roaring fans. This opened a gateway for the lads to discuss their past, with Ashton recalling staying at a hotel over the road from the arena while supporting One Direction.

"About ten people knew who we were at the time, now look," he exclaimed while reflecting on their meteoric rise to success as he recalled performing at smaller venues before the band managed to sell out the biggest indoor arena in Europe. But while reflecting, the group looked towards the future as they stated their plans for the next few months are pretty empty.

This, however, is for good reason as lead guitarist Michael is set to welcome his first child with his wife, Chrystal Leigh Clifford. Joking about his future, he laughed while saying he will be going from playing in front of thousands of fans to having a "house covered in poop" before Luke interjected, adding he will be able to teach Clifford's daughter how to wear make-up.

Anecdotes aside, the group certainly showcased their performance skills and failed to stand still for the cheering crowd as they made their presence in the arena known. Having seen the lads perform countless times, this was certainly their best performance to date.'

X

[elvis1970s]

On July 25th and 27th, 1976, Elvis played the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, NY, with a date in Rochester squeezed in between.

The first show in Syracuse received a pasting from a young reporter named Dale Rice, in the Syracuse Post-Standard. The huge, sustained and angry response from fans, in the form of hundreds of letters and phone calls to the paper, 'went down in Syracuse history', and led to the reporter being sent off on vacation to a remote part of Wyoming, and an appeal for calm by the editor.

The story is told in this fascinating video from the paper's official Youtube channel.

Elvis was due to play the Onondaga Arena again, on August 20th, 1977.

[louisupdates]

By Carl Smith

When we spoke to Louis Tomlinson earlier this year, ahead of the release of his second studio album Faith In The Future, we were surprised to hear he hasn't always been the most confident of performers. Explaining there are times self-doubt sets in, leaving him to question if he's 'sure he can do this,' Louis' critical eye can be both a blessing and a curse.

But, having played to millions across the world with One Direction and completed his record-breaking solo tour earlier this year, Louis Tomlinson is now a whole new performer entirely. The growth, sonically and vocally, is indisputable.

Last night (December 14), Louis celebrated his recent Official Number 1 album with a sold-out show at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire. For many fans, it was the first time they'd experienced Louis' new material live; and the energy was palpable.

Entering the stage to Faith In The Future opener The Greatest, the love for Louis was incontestable; every fan in that theatre willing him to put in the performance of his life.

Having gone into the recording of his second studio album with the intent of it coming to life in a live setting, it's hardly surprising that The Greatest proves a mammoth opener; Shepherd's Bush Empire quite literally shaking with screams and unabashed singing.

To captivate an audience and organically grow alongside your fandom is something truly commendable, and certainly no mean feat. History's shown us that being a member of even the world's biggest bands doesn't guarantee solo success; but Louis' strength is in his honest song writing he believes in whole-heartedly.

More so than ever, Louis is proud of his work, confident in his abilities, finding and finally owning his artistic identity.

The show continued with Walls track Kill My Mind, before brand-new cut Written All Over Your Face. The energy was particularly raucous for this grungy track; a true standout of his second LP and among his most musically-ambitious works to date.

Fan favourite We Made It felt like a euphoric statement of self-fulfilment at this show; Louis radiating a new-found confidence. A reworked version of One Direction's Night Changes also went down an absolute storm, as Louis and the band put a punk twist on the group's 2014 Top 10 single.

Live exclusive Copy of a Copy of a Copy also made the setlist once again, sitting seamlessly alongside new tracks Bigger Than Me, Out Of My System and That's The Way Love Goes.

The album might only have been out a month, but the fans knew every lyric. Every sonic intricacy. It was really something to behold.

Closing out an incredible set, Louis performed two of his favourite Faith In The Future tracks; latest single Silver Tongues and the behemoth that is Saturdays.

With Louis set to bring his Faith In The Future Tour to the UK next November, it's sure to be the show he's always dreamed of giving to fans. This is a record he's so immensely proud of, can perform with conviction and will see him connect with the fandom on a whole new level. We can't bloody wait.

[woodswallow]

Rammstein in Berlin, 16.07.2023

My second Berlin-concert this year - and my very last one of the tour!! I have to say, I was a bit sad on one hand that I won't see them again this year, but on the other hand it was also a relief. Attending Rammstein concerts is always quite stressfull, thrilling and exhausting for me. Of course I could come into the stadium totally relaxed about an hour before the show starts - but that's not how my brain works, not with this band and especially not if I have tickets for Feuerzone, which could also mean "first row" - you just have to work hard for it ^^

I thought, I would be at the stadium a bit later than the day before, because saturday was very exhausting...but again, my brain... Woke up early, couldn't go back to sleep, so why lying around longer... I was at the stadium at about 9 am, just 30 min later than saturday XD The waiting wasn't as pleasant as yesterday. The security decided to narrow down the amount of gates where they let people in, so it got very crowded already at 10:30 am -.- Getting into the stadium was easier and worked better though, I was with the first 50 people entering - which is absolutely crazy! A split second before the running began I thought "OMG, it is possible! 1st row is possible!!"

I ran like crazy the last 50-80m and DAMN, I MADE IT! Fucking first row, in their hometown Berlin, on my last concert - and right in front of Paul!!! This was such a gift for me, a huge reward and I couldn't believe it - I was so happy!! I also let the security take a picture of me with my phone, but I'm not comfortable with showing my face online, so - enjoy the view I had :D

Time in the stadium went by incredibly fast, I had a lovely lady named Kim next to me, time flew by with her. I enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere in this beautiful stadium one last time, heart balloons and laolas, it was soooo cool!

The show was so good, all technical aspects worked well this time. I decided to not take many pictures (just of my favourite situation during Mein Herz brennt :D) and just enjoy the show to the fullest. I rocked so much, headbanged, jumped, screamed and totally destroyed my voice - worth it :D It was so cute to see Schneider, Paul and Richard running around Flakes Keyboards during Mein Teil - how Schneider hurried to join them! :D It's just so heartwarming to see them having fun on stage <3 The fire during Sonne was even hotter in the first row and the last blast of fire was definitely too hot, ouch :D I got sprayed with water from Till's bottle (refreshing on one hand, eeww on the other :D) and another time he threw the bottle in my direction and it landed 1 m in front of Kim and me on the floor. Kim and me were just staring at it (both obviously no Till fans - my reaction would have been completely different if that was a drumstick XD). A security picked it up and threw it in the crowd behind us - good :D

Sadly I didn't see that Paulchard-Kiss on the Engel stage with my own eyes, just later on tumblr - but that was incredibly sweet <3 Again I could touch and help carry the boats, even got a glimpse of Schneider and Till during leaving the boat! Paul caught a heart balloon and pressed it to his chest until it popped :) In the end, he also made sure a fan got a pair of Schneiders drumsticks - he's such a lovely human being!

The show ended with a big bang, as always - and I felt pure happyness! Again, no stickers for the first row - I was SOOO lucky to get one during my 1st time 1st row in Bern!! :)

So yeah, that was the tour for me - startet out quite mellow and emotional in Munich (1x), was absolutely wonderful in Bern (2x) and got an absolutely perfect finish in Berlin (2x)! I always managed to get 1st or 2nd row, which is mindblowing for me - but it was earned the hard way :)

I also caught THE bug during my time in Berlin (or maybe on the train home, that's also the reason this review is so late), luckily it broke out when I was back home. BUT: Absolutely no regrets, would do it again!

Thank you Rammstein and also a BIG thanks to al the amazing fans I met - the solidarity and helpfulness among the hardcore fans was incredible! Sharing sunscreen/blankets/umbrellas, giving out ice cream and food, sharing information...that was truly overwhelming. Best fans ever <3 Thank you!!

[vampireclub7]

You’re probably at the Enha concert right now, or maybe you saw them yesterday (too?) Please, please tell us about it when you get the chance!

***

I'm still high!

10/10 experience and I highly recommend seeing them live. I saw them on both days and the boys absolutely killed it.

The setlist opener is Drunk Dazed and there's nothing quite like hearing the heavy club bass of that song blasting in speakers throughout the hazy, blood red arena. It instantly transports you out of your body and into the gothic, vampy set.

Heeseung's vocals are criminally underrated but I do think he could be more confident in his delivery later on in the concert, Jungwon dances like there are explosives in his body, Jay and Jake's guitar cover was super sweet, Sunoo wrecked the hell outta me, and Sunghoon and Ni-ki's dance chemistry is solidified as one of my favourite things about them after this show.

The crowd surprised me with how loud and on point the fan chants were. The weather was rainy and shitty but people were ordered and respectful going into the arena (less so coming out but that's typical lol). Screamed myself hoarse and I'm only just getting my voice back.

I'd do it all again honestly. One of the best concert experiences I've had in years and I say this as someone who had mid expectations going in. I wanted to be wowed and in fact, I was. I am. Enhypen gave a hell of a performance two nights in a row and have earned a solid fan in me.

It's hard to believe they're just a 3 year old group because they performed just as good as, if not better than, many of their older 4th gen peers I've seen live.

@susanraines, thank you for the ask. I really hope you get the opportunity to experience their concerts to see for yourself.

[blondevibrations]

Dominic Fike - Eventim Apollo - 23/09/2023

After raving about his music on Blonde Vibrations and being blown away by his set at Coachella 2023, this was one concert that we could not wait to attend. Dominic Fike's road to finally performing in the United Kingdom was definitely something to count down the days to.

Clearly, we were not alone in this excitement. Fans had seemingly been queuing since the early hours for this show which is just a testament to how dedicated his audience is. This is something I noticed throughout the show, as the noise levels from the audience during the first song of the set, 'How Much Is Weed?', were just booming. I could barely hear Fike himself during the earlier points of the set.

To sum up the evening, it exceeded our already high expectations. From the lighthearted anecdotes joking at legal reasons for being unable to enter the country before this tour, to the switch up between studio versions and live renditions of songs, Fike kept his audience on their toes. Something I really enjoyed was the variation in his performance styles, as it provided an experience more interesting than a usual sing-a-long. 'Why' is a great example of this.

Something we have discussed on Blonde Vibrations before is having the desire to hear a good portion of one's new record during an artist's tour and this is exactly what Fike provided. The set list included both hits and (in my opinion) underrated tracks from his recent studio album 'Sunburn', which the fans had already memorised. He also sprinkled in classic songs such as 'Politics & Violence' and 'Come Here' from older projects which still brought about the same excitement from the audience.

Overall, this show was full of charisma and will definitely hold a place as one of my favourite shows of the year (and there is some tough competition). My only regret is not purchasing tickets for London Night Two, which featured a surprise performance from Bakar...

[citronellaww]

Peter Doherty at the Royal Albert Hall - a coronary experience.

"...because the poet said a word."

When I came back from the (utterly maddening and brilliant and “I still smile like a madwoman whenever I daydream about that night”) Libertines concert in Prague last year, I made this note to myself: “This is what poetry means to me: I sail to the unknown, writing”.

Months of writing (and daydreaming) later, the sea called for me again — and so, in an endless pursuit of the unknown, I sailed to Albion. (Editor's note number one: I had to fly, because sailing when your country's land doesn't reach the sea - yes, William Shakespeare, I am sure you and your mystic Bohemia are flabbergasted now - is a tad bit complicated, but I watched the ships underneath the plane's wings and I shed a tear as we crossed the Channel, and I listened to Carl Barât and the Jackals as we were landing and I really recommend that sort of combination, because it made me feel colours, instead of being scared of landing).

Being a PhD student in American and British literature (…), people naturally thought I made this trip to see the Coronation. And I let them think that, because to me it was a sort of "coronary" experience, seeing Peter Doherty perform at the Royal Albert Hall. (Editor's note number two: "coronary", as the arteries which protect and nurture the heart; and "coronary" as Peter's music which protects and nurtures the poet that lives in my head).

There were things that happened in between, before and after the concert (in terms of my time in Albion), but Peter’s concert was the place where written words transcended the letters they were once formed from, dreams turned into reality, sound mixed with poetry, and the unknown left me struggling to catch the railing. Frankly (Mr. Shankly), when I arrived in London and climbed the seemingly never-fucking-ending vortex of stairs at Finsbury Park, dragging my luggage behind me (kudos to the guy who suggested I take the lift, then watched me struggle upstairs, his old green Reebok shoes an imprint on my mind), I never even guessed what I would be a part of days later at Peter's concert.

Now, when it comes to the art of 'concert reportage', I believe in authenticity, so I wrote the following paragraphs while lunching in Camden the day after the concert. Beware, my writing was influenced by my overwhelming excitement, shock (to the system), but also by exhaustion (blame the stairs at Finsbury Park and the fact that night buses from Bounds Green -one zero fucking seven, I am looking at you- live a life of their own, certainly undisturbed by my need to get from point A to point B and not to be stranded at a bus stop in the middle of the night, accompanied by a lonely fox staring at my cigarette like if it was food and the Full Moon), as well as circa million other emotions, piling atop the words like rain on the ground in Camden that day of "coronation"... :

I never thought that I'd experience the whole Royal Albert Hall singing ‘Tell the King’ and ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ a day before the coronation (editor's note number three: a beloved moment I couldn’t help but describe to everyone as I came home, especially those who asked me ‘but did you see the coronation’). Never thought I'd be dancing to (my favourite) 'Ballad of Grimaldi' and have my little nerd moment over hearing Peter talk about the meaning behind 'St. Jude' (editor’s note number four: it's one of my favourite songs exactly because of the part “St. Jude may hear my pleas / See me on my bended knees”), then sing along to 'I Get Along' (editor’s note number five: I have the refrain pinned on the wall at uni), as well as other scarcely or only once before performed songs played on Peter's acoustic, let alone watch people invade the stage while he's playing 'Time for Heroes' (but ‘did you see the ((stylish)) kids in the riots?’ I guess I fucking did!)… Guys from the row behind me jumping over my head to join others, then coming back and telling us about it. One of their friends went to the loos right before the stage invasion and thus missed the whole thing, so of course they all gathered to tease him with that "we've just been a part of something legendary and you've missed the whole thing" conversation.

I cannot say that I wasn't shocked; in the end, these were the wildest (?) "dreams" coming true, and the weirdest coincidences, as only that morning I said to my friend "I’m sad I never got to experience those wild years of stage invasions" (was the God of music listening? Whoever s/he is). To be absolutely honest, the experience was so overwhelming I think that I am only now coming back to reality, though I will not lie, it is a complex process. (Editor’s note number ?six?: The gin and tonic I consumed afterwards might have been at fault, too.)

The hours prior I was reading nature poets in Kensington's bookshops (I’m a romantic and ecocritic, shoot me), then walking around sunny Hyde Park, picking fallen blossom out of my hair, randomly bumping into old classmates (hi Magda!), this peaceful prelude to clear my head for the evening… then suddenly I’m crying to Hak Baker's support set (editor’s note number ??: his speech about mental health already had me tearing up, it turned to full on weeping as he talked about his mom), then I’m overwhelmed again, with joy too, seeing/hearing Peter – and shocked (to the core) but laughing (uncontrollably) as people sweep across the hall like a tsunami, jumping over a meter (or so) high barriers, knocking security guys down - because the poet said a word. You wouldn't be able to make any of that up, ever. And obviously, I was already more than happy (and quite emotional) that I came to London, but the following day, walking around Camden, the words of this random person I talked to after the concert suddenly hit me: "welcome to London". What a great city baptism. Now, writer's endnote: I do not think that we appreciate artists like Peter enough. For what they do for us in these moments, for how they can change our lives – with words, with music, and the magic that binds it all. What I've found since I started listening to Peter (& Carl, the Libertines and then the other dozen bands that came out of it all - bless 'em) is renewed passion for what I love, be it my poetry, writing, literature, art OR sailing (ok, flying) to Albion in pursuit of my dreams (and in pursuit of the never-fucking-ending vortex of stairs at Finsbury Park). And this, this is enough - truly, it is.

Thank you, Peter, the Albion is still on course. (But hey, where are we sailing next?)

-Karla

P.S. I apologize for the number of editor’s notes, I know it fucks up the (good) flow of the text and, as an editor and writer myself, I would give Karla here an earful about how she is supposed to control her "editor persona". Now, to prove how truly sorry she is, here are some more notes:

*Everything here (including the poem) is written by me. An edited version of this post should (soon) be also on my IG, along with videos.

*The phrase ‘because the poet said a word’ was my own invention (my friend Linda will testify to that); however, the good scholar that I am, I researched it yesterday to see if, maybe, it has been already used somewhere else, and while it seems it is original, I found connections to Emily Dickinson (such as her “This was a Poet—It is That” or “Shall I Take Thee”). This connection is purely unintentional, coincidental, but warms my heart nonetheless, especially when I know that Peter likes Emily’s poetry (and I do, too), and I wanted to point that out in case you people are poetry nerds like me, or would like some poetry recommendations.

*Addition to editor’s note number two: “coronary” and “coronation” both stem from the original Latin term “corona”; “coronary”, in particular, was derived from the medieval term "curuner" which was used for the person who had the (local) responsibility of protecting the crown. Ever thought of yer own heart as the “crown”? (I do have my “Karla the Linguist” moments.)

*Editor’s note number x (missing from the text): An hour before the gig I went for a tea into one of the bars at the Royal Albert Hall (it really was a tea!), and the girls behind the bar told me how it was ‘a quiet and slow day’ and I sat there, the room empty, and watched the staff around exchange jokes. I thought of that moment later as I watched the security/staff struggling to, somehow, control the masses.

*Anyone who wants to point out to me that ol’ Will Shakespeare thought that ‘Bohemia’ was reaching the Adriatic Sea at that time should understand that I am well aware of this possibility but, as a wannabe scholar, I feel inclined to test the limits of good ol’ William.

*Special thank you to everyone who made my stay in London an absolute dream come true (especially everyone at Muswell Hill and Rosebery Road where I was staying, local foxes and buses included), and to Linda for listening to my continuous storytelling these past few weeks (and being the first person to read this...what would my writing be, if I didn't have my people to share it with?).

[popentertainmentconcertreviews]

Boygenius – TD Pavilion at the Mann Center – Philadelphia, PA – September 30, 2023

Saturday was a night for a supergroup as Boygenius took to stage in Philly. The group is made up of Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, and Phoebe Bridgers. The three singers have successful musical careers of their own but combined their unbelievable vocals and changed the game.

Their first release was “boygenius,” an EP released in 2018 with hits “Salt In The Wound” and “Bite The Hand.” Their first album The Record was released March 31 of this year and hit number one on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums. “Not Strong Enough” off The Record is the biggest song in their career, hitting number one on the Billboard charts and over 50 million streams on Spotify. This was their first show in Philadelphia, and it was a big one, with a sold-out crowd of 14,000.

Boygenius’ long-awaited first-ever local show was worth waiting for. Fans of all ages and backgrounds gathered together in the TD Pavilion on a beautiful fall night. “The Boys Are Back In Town” by Thin Lizzy started playing while fans were impatiently waiting for the group to come out. It got quiet and a live video from backstage of the three singing “Without You Without Them” began. Fans were crying and singing along with them when the song ended, and the camera followed the three running to the stage. Bridgers, Baker, and Dacus entered the stage wearing their classic business dress of white button ups and gray slacks.

Starting off strong, they kicked it off with one of their more upbeat songs, “$20.” The next four songs came from their newest album. Then, throwing it back to their self-titled EP, they played “Souvenir” and “Bite The Hand.”

Concertgoers were truly in awe of Bridgers, Dacus, and Baker and were belting out the beautifully written and relatable lyrics with the singers. Each of the band members then performed one of their solo songs with the other two members doing backup vocals, giving the audience an updated version of their singles. Lucy Dacus performed her song “Please Stay” with Bridgers and Baker backing her up with angelic vocals. Julien Baker performed “Favor” and the audience was singing along and swaying as it came to an end. The crowd went wild for Phoebe’s song “Graceland Too” and it sounded like everyone knew every single word.

Then, they gave the audience a sneak peek into their new EP coming out on October 13th titled “The Rest,” by playing a new song called “Power.” They followed that with their gut wrenching “Me & My Dog,” which had many in the crowd in tears. Prior to the show starting, a fan organized a project and handed everyone colored pieces of paper to hold over their flashlights during “Me & My Dog.” It lit up the venue in beautiful rainbow colors. The band was touched and exclaimed how much it meant to them.

Bridgers then requested everyone keep their phones and cameras away for her performance of “Letter to an Old Poet.” She walked around the entire venue through the crowds and sang with the fans as they were heard in the microphone alongside Bridgers. She ran back up on stage for their biggest hit “Not Strong Enough.” This brought the energy level up just enough before they left the stage before the encore. Then, after “Ketchum, ID,” they ended the whole night with “Salt In The Wound,” a song that showcases their vocal ranges and how well their voices blend.

The show was incredible and well worth the wait for Philly fans. Keep an eye out for the new EP “The Rest,” coming out on October 13.

Maria Gilles

Copyright ©2023 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: October 2, 2023.

[kaleidoskop-magazin]

Our concert review (German) and pictures from the Black Veil Brides show in Saarbrücken are online.

[dailytomlinson]

“I’ve got these lot behind me, who the fuck is gonna stop us?” This question, asked by Louis Tomlinson moments after headlining his Away From Home festival for the first time two years ago, has become something of a mantra for his fans. It’s been shared on social media ad infinitum, worn on homemade merch, waved proudly on banners and signs, and shouted to the rafters at his concerts. Headlining a sold-out show at London’s O2 Arena on Friday night, it seems clear that the answer to his question is that no one ever will.

Taking place just over a year after the release of his celebrated second album ‘Faith In The Future’, and almost twelve years to the day after One Direction released their first record ‘Up All Night’, in the city where 1D formed and where he played his first full headline show as a solo artist, this might be the greatest full-circle moment of Louis’ career so far. But tonight isn’t a nostalgia trip, and there’s little time spent walking down memory lane. Instead, this show is all about the here and now, celebrating how a shared passion for music and the community that creates can build something that feels like magic.

From the moment he walks out on centre stage in front of his fans, Louis Tomlinson is at home – and his fans make themselves at home right along with him. Opening with ‘The Greatest’ – a song written for and about crowds and nights like tonight – it’s clear that, though it might’ve taken him a long time to get back here, stages like this one are where he belongs.

For tonight’s landmark show, he pulls out all the stops. A specially recorded video introduction? New and improved light shows? Pyrotechnics? A strings section on stage?! At London’s O2 Arena, Louis has it all. His dedication to making the night special is met by his fans in equal measure, using phone torches and synchronised apps to create light shows of their own.

A distinctive figure in trackies and a vest, Louis commands the room with ease. Playfully flipping fans off while singing, crouching down between songs to be closer to the people he’s talking to, he’s the star with his name in lights, but his show remains just as much about celebrating with the people that support him as it is about celebrating the music. Any mention of this sold-out show’s success is talked about as a collective. “O2, sold out?! You lot, unbelievable, right?!” he congratulates the crowd between songs.

Even when he’s talking about his own emotions, saying, “This might be the first time in my career where I have been under pressure tonight, and I feel fucking great about it,” it’s with acknowledgement to the people filling the room who make what he does possible. “You don’t have that confidence onstage unless you know you’ve got the best fucking fans in the world,” he states. “I never feel like I can find the words to ever truly thank you, but thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Restyling old songs to fit the sound he found for himself on his latest album (sir, we’re going to need a recording of ‘Back To You’ rock version ASAP) and giving a nod to his home county with a cover of fellow South Yorkshire sensations Arctic Monkeys between leading rapturous crowd singalongs to fan favourite hits, this is Louis Tomlinson at the top of his game.

“Look at what we’ve fucking done!” he yells to the room mid-set. The message, it seems, is clear: ain’t no one stopping Louis Tomlinson now.

[medeecine]

arctic monkeys @ the kia forum 9/29 🖤

i saw my favorite band and i will never ever be over it. 10+ years of listening and here we are! truly an incredible show and i was completely in awe of the energy in that beautiful room.

had an amazing view, and an even better experience. alex turner ily. this healed my inner 2013 alt tumblr girlie 🖤🫶🏽✨

- body paint extended outro 🖤✨

[rockartfashion]

INTERPOL - A Magnificent Starry Night at la Philharmonie de Paris, 5th of 2023- concert review

[wiiildflowerrr]

The 5SOS Show Boston, night 2

📷 Kyle Musser for The Alternative

The Alternative: Review: 5 Seconds of Summer and Meet Me @ The Altar

[thepermanentrainpress]

CONCERT REVIEW: BABYMETAL AND DETHKLOK W/ JASON RICHARDSON AT PNE FORUM - OCTOBER 3, 2023

Starting the night was guitar virtuoso Jason Richardson (All That Remains), taking centre-stage as he showcased his versatility as a guitar player, seamlessly transitioning between heavy riffs and melodic solos. With only backing tracks and lack of a live band, Richardson was truly the main character of his performance. His ability to captivate an audience is truly remarkable with the entire crowd headbanging and moshing in unison. Incorporating elements of rock, metal and djent, Richardson left metalheads itching for more.

With a quick crossover, Dethklok descended upon the stage as the lights dimmed, with metalheads set for a night of unparalleled brutality, humour and musical prowess. Dethklok – known for their adult animated series Metalocalypse – is Brendon Small’s brainchild brought to stage. With the performing band cloaked in shadows, the primary focus was upon the fictional characters of Dethklok which encompassed the giant screen behind them.

Playing songs such as "Murmaider," "Thunderhorse," and "Bloodlines" with interludes featuring in-universe character Facebones put the band’s tongue-in-cheek humour on full display. The band’s interaction with their fictional manager, Charles Foster Offdensen, added an extra layer of comedic brilliance to the show. As the set reached its conclusion, Dethklok left the stage to thunderous applause and a sea of satisfied metalheads – many adorned with corpse paint, eagerly craving for more.

Last but not least to grace the stage of the Forum was BABYMETAL. Hailing from Japan, the trio combine J-Pop and heavy metal into an image which took the world by storm – and consequently delivered a performance that was equal parts adorable and ferocious.

The Kami band, BABYMETAL’s backing band, provided the sonic backdrop for Su-metal, Moametal and recent addition Momometal's performances. Their tight, precise, and technically impressive instrumentation laid the foundation for the band’s unique sound.

One of the highlights of the evening was the choreography and stage production. BABYMETAL’s live shows are known for their elaborate and synchronized dance routines, and this concert was no exception. The contrast between their adorable, almost theatrical moves and the crushing metal riffs create a visual spectacle that is mesmerizing to watch.

The setlist featured a mix of songs from their diverse discography, ranging from catchy pop-metal anthems like "Gimme Chocolate!!" to more progressive collaborations such as "Distortion" featuring Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy, and "METALI!!" featuring Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine.

The trio’s interaction with the audience was heartwarming. They expressed their gratitude in English and engaged with the crowd despite the language barrier. The band’s message of unity and positivity resonated with fans, creating a sense of camaraderie throughout the concert.

All good things come to an end as BABYMETAL closed their set with "Road of Resistance," leaving the venue with deafening cheers and chants for more.

BABYMETAL’s performance in Vancouver was a testament to the band’s ability to blend seemingly disparate musical genres into a cohesive and entertaining performance. Whether you’re a fan of J-Pop, metal, or just appreciate live music as a whole, BABYMETAL’s concert is a unique and captivating experience that transcends boundaries and leaves a lasting impression.

Written and photographed by: Timothy Nguyen