Emotionalpunk.com
Show Review
We all knew we were in for it that Monday night. The lineup great, the venue rad, and the night good (who likes Mondays in the first place?), we rushed to the venue just in time for Veda.
Not many people seemed to be getting into Veda, a band who are just starting to carve their way with their female fronted spacey pop rock. They were very clean, however, and if you are a fan of their music I think you won't be anything but satisfied with their live performance. The singer's voice especially was very clear; very precise. I enjoyed their set but anxiously waited for The Bled to take over.
Soon enough The Bled demonstrated they are still the incredible band I last saw some three years ago with Saosin in a small venue in Colorado. Huge energy and emotion were spilled across the stage with an explicit concern for accuracy. The Bled are one of those bands you absolutely have to see live, whose live act is harnessed only partially on record. They played a wide range of jams, including "The Last American Cowboy," "Hotel Coral Essex," and "My Assassin" from "Found In The Flood," but also played a lot of older songs including "You Know Who's Seatbelt" and "Ruth buzzi Better Watch Her Back." I was disappointed to not hear "Spitshine Sonata," or "We Are The Industry," but overally was pretty impressed and thought the Bled made the most of their time.
Underoath took the stage with a sort of power and pleasing energy over the crowd. Even my friends who aren't really into Underoath really, really enjoyed their set. Everyone in the band and the pit were going nuts, singing along to every song and pushing and shoving to every word. I found myself slamming hard into walls of screaming kids aged from 13 to 22 alike. I was suprised again with their set list, which comprised of songs all off of their full length and the B-side "I've Got Ten Friends and A Crowbar.." but lacked the "hit" called "Reinventing Your Exit." Oddly they closed with "A Boy Brushed Red.." which was at least a little weird to me, but I enjoyed it all the same. The drummer, despite his energetic lack of breath, sung and played extremely well; even better than when I saw them headlining. See this band, if you can, there's a reason they're selling out shows across the nation.
Finally, Thrice took the stage, opening with "Image Of The Invisible." I was amazed to hear Teppei, known for his insane guitaring, to sing along with Dustin, even during the chorus on "Paper Tigers." They played a long set of songs spanning their last three releases (nothing from their first disc Identity Crisis), including some favorites like "Deadbolt" and "Silhouette." There was an encore featuring an acoustic "Stare At The Sun" and while I was disappointed they didn't play "For Miles" they played "Red Sky," with an amazing sense of melody. Thrice are one of those bands who have finally released an epic disc they knew they would be able to write, and their live set matches perfectly. You need to see this band, they will blow you away.
All in all, hell of a show. If you missed it, hopefully you will take any of these bands up next time, because I'm sure I'm not the first to say this was one of the best tours this year, Period.