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A strong atmosphere was established before the band touched the stage. The support acts went down extremely well and served to add to the anticipation that was practically dripping from the ceiling along with condensed sweat. The mass of expectant teenagers convulsed in unison, the only thing retaining anyone’s identity was the individual screams demanding that the band stop checking their instruments and get on the stage.
Such anticipation is often followed by disappointment but as soon as they broke into their storming first track of their newest album (What’s it feel like to be a ghost?) all doubts vanished. Not only did they play well but they brought an energy with them that gives people more than other bands who just a show of how well they can play their songs (not surprising really considering it’s their job).
The lead singer Adam Lazzara’s theatrics made the show entertaining to watch as well. Despite his recent accident where his microphone hit his one of his band mates in the face, he was still there swinging it round whenever he could without missing his lines. This, his worrying dancing, and the fact that he held his microphone by the very tip, delicately pressing it to his lips, added to his general camp persona which complemented his self indulgent lyrics and his shamelessly emotional singing style perfectly.
The set list was pleasantly surprising too. Where most bands play a majority of new songs with the old classics peppered tastefully throughout, Taking Back Sunday played a cross section of their music. A personal feel was given to the gig therein. The band seemed to play what the crowd wanted to hear rather than what the band wanted to play. This spanned from the song that made them (cute without the E) from their debut, to their latest single (make damn sure). The former of the two was greeted by the crowd with the biggest surge of excitement and appreciation of the whole gig. So much so that the fans, looking utterly possessed, tried everything but running up other people’s spines just to get that bit closer to the source of such empowering music. And that’s where the whole experience fell somewhat; the fans.
Taking Back Sunday, unfortunately, seems to attract extremely selfish fans who seem more interested in being closer to the band than preserving the friendly atmosphere. This didn’t completely ruin the gig, however, and only served to highlight how friendly and caring Taking Back Sunday are, stopping halfway through ‘What’s it feel like to be a ghost’ just to make sure everyone was upright after a substantial proportion of the crowd collapsed.
After the gig there was a feeling of utter exhaustion, the fans having only just enough energy to string a satisfied smile across their red, moist cheeks. Taking Back Sunday deserve a look in regardless of music tastes, the energy and atmosphere being enough to keep even the most narrow minded of ‘emo’-haters brimming with excitement.
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article by: Robert Knowles
photos by: Bryn Russell
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| published: 22/05/2006 16:56 |
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