Harris Academy blogger reviews two bands at a concert last week.
HMV Apollo: All time Low – 3.02.12
Support acts: We are The In Crowd and The Maine. We are the in crowd, a pop punk band from Poughkeepsie, were the first band scheduled for last nights shows. The band, formed in 2009, consists of five members, including a female lead singer, Taylor Jardine, though Jordan Eckes also contributes to the vocals of the band, making it an interesting mix of predominantly female fronted songs with a twist.
It was interesting to see whether like so many other female fronted bands, this would be another group trying to project a very ‘Paramore’ persona. However, Taylor was nothing was nothing like Hayley Williams, nor was there no Paramore feel. Though roughly five thousand people, were seating or standing the reception the band received were low, with the only real interaction from the crowd was when The Maine or All Time Low was mentioned. Perhaps low reception was due to the fact most of the audience had spent most of the day outside queuing, som starting at half six in the morning, however nothing got in the way of We are the in crowds enthusiasm.
Shortly after ‘WATICs’ set, The Maine made a grand entrance to the stage. Many fans there seemed to finally perk, as most belted along to tracks the Arizona Band played. Though the first time the whole audience seemed alive, was when lead singer John O’Callaghan, made reference to All time Lows song; ‘I feel like dancin’’ powering through the next few songs, they thanked the audience and exited, while the stage was now being set up for the All Time Low.
All Time Low, a band from Baltimore, Maryland formed in 2003, with four studio albums and one live album/DVD ‘straight to DVD’. They’ve built up a legion of fans in the UK, with various headlining festival spots and with the K! Tour. The atmosphere in the audience was electrifying, but before they graced the stage, two men came on stage.
Leading members of two charities: “invisible children” who raise money and awareness to stop children soldiers in Africa, and ‘skate for cancer’ to help prevent it, came on stage and said a bit about their charity, and that merch was available outside to buy, with proceeds going to the charity. Both charities are on tour with the bands, to help raise more awareness and proceeds, which is always a nice touch to see.
Eventually the anticipation had reached a boiling point, and the venue was blinded by blinking strobe lights, the band had made their entrance. After the first song, Jack Barakat (bassist) had already been thrown a handful of bras from over excited fans, which he hung from his mike stand. What makes All Time Low more popular, is of course their humour, which the band carried out through lights on the backing screen (which projected ‘ATL’ throughout the concert, though occasionally changed to things such as; ‘ass’ or even changing to say ‘tap dat ass’ at one stage) and even their conversations in-between songs showed their energy, backed up by Jack Barakat dancing round the stage throughout the whole set. The band held complete control, almost everyone were on their feet (even parents dragged by younger fans) and as they belted through hits such as lost in the stereo, timebomb, weightless, guts and even the intro to an Adele cover, it was obvious that the gig had lived up to, and even excelled everyone’s expectations. The show was one of the last left on this tour, and if every show was like last nights, then it was indeed a very well received UK tour.
