Show Review

A little over a week ago, I stumbled across the fortunate opportunity to attend one of the five (yes, five) sold out Rise Against shows in a row at Los Angeles’ Troubadour. In their many years as a band, Rise Against have released several wonderful albums, leaving us with 2004’s Siren Song of the Counter Culture, the abrasive punky, melodic post-hardcore album, awash with adorned lyrics and driving chant choruses. The group is set to release “The Sufferer And The Witness” on Geffen Records this independence day.

Call it simple, but their logo, a raised fist, might be the best way to describe the sweaty punk and surf dudes alike that night at the Troubadour. I’ve literally never witnessed a crowd so completely in love with a group before. A few images I took from the night include a pair of scrawny kids on the balcony, faces and necks straining as they leaned over the edge, dripping with angst; the drunk, sweaty, shirtless jocks pummeling anyone and everyone in the rampant pit; the tormented punk girls screaming just as loud as the guys; or a girl outside the venue begging the security guard to get back into the venue, claiming her stumbling onto the stage was a complete accident. Despite this rather diverse group of individuals, though, there was a gripping sense of united energy—and devotion—to the band on the stage.

As the band blew through songs spanning their entire discography, my favorite moments were likely the undeniably catchy “Ready To Fall” from their upcoming album; or the other new track, “Done With The Compass,” both which a renowned sense of positive energy—though the crowd seemed to like it best when singer Tim McIlrath donned his acoustic guitar for a very fire-pit camp-style chanting performance of “Swing Life Away.” And when the crowd chanted in unison on the familiar “Life Less Frightening,” life certainly did feel a bit less scary, and McIlrath’s commanding performance made everyone feel truly at home.

review by Andrew Martin