All three sets were
fast-paced and high energy, complete with crowd surfing and several mosh
pits that were fun to watch from the balcony seating. It was like
little moving crop circles running clockwise in the crowd. Maybe one of
these days, I’ll be brave enough to try it, but in the meantime, I was
quite content with my nosebleed seats.
After
The Descendents opened the show, punk rock legends Bad Religion set the
stage ablaze with their energetic and dynamic set. Playing many of
their classic hits and fan favorites, including “Infected” and “Sorrow,”
it’s hard to believe that they’ve been doing this for 30 years. They
haven’t slowed down at all and had just as much endurance and gusto and
twice the stage presence as any fledgling band that has only been
touring for a couple years. They also performed “The Resist Stance” and
“Cyanide,” newer tunes off of their most recent album, “The Dissent of
Man.”
The only problem I had with
Bad Religion’s 12-song set had nothing to do with the band itself, but
the three people in front of me who spent the entire set on their cell
phones texting and Facebooking. All three of them…the whole time. I’ve
said it before and I’ll say it again: get off your phones and enjoy the
music, people! Who wants to be distracted by an incoming text when
you’ve got great live music to stimulate you? It takes away from the
full experience, so do yourselves a favor and either leave your phones
in the car or just use them to snap a few pictures to commemorate the
show and then put them away and enjoy the concert.
Vent over. Now back to the show.
When
the main act of the night, Rise Against, came out on stage, the crowd
went nuts and more moshing commenced immediately. Playing hits like “The
Good Left Undone” and “Prayer of the Refugee” off their 2006 album,
“The Sufferer and the Witness,” they had the entire crowd fist pumping,
head banging and singing along. One particular song that got me out of
my seat and dancing around was my personal favorite, “Audience of One.”
Lead
singer Tim McIlrath’s vocals were a little lost at times amongst the
over-powering guitar levels, but once the kinks were worked out, he
sounded great and his voice filled the entire venue.
Touring
in support of their brand new album, “Endgame,” they didn’t stray from
performing songs off that album, including their current hit single,
“Help Is On the Way,” a song whose video is inspired by and depicts the
aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Being known as an activist band, Rise
Against strongly advocates causes like animal rights, environmental
issues, and even fighting against the bullying of gay teens and the
onslaught of gay teen suicides last year, which they so passionately
sing about in “Make It Stop (September’s Children).” As Tim McIlrath
sang, “And too much blood has flown from the wrists of the children
shamed for those they chose to kiss. Who will rise to stop the blood?” I
thought about how great it is to see a band that stands for something
and believes in the word they’re singing, especially when they do so
while entertaining a crowd of thousands.
Their
sixth studio album, “Endgame,” is available now. If you’re a fan of
pure, pulsating rock combined with socially conscious and prevalent
lyrics, then you’ll love this album.
