Having such acts as AFI, Thirty Seconds to Mars and Linkin Park headlining this year’s Carnivores Tour gathered an eclectic crowd that ranged from guidos to geriatrics and everything in between. But no matter how eccentric the onlookers the focus was never taken away from these incredible acts.
Enduring the standard downpour of the Pacific Northwest while trekking through the Portland City Rose Festival left me with my feet wet but my excitement at an all time high. Nothing beats kicking off the summer like a spectacular show and luckily for us Portlanders “indietronica”-deemed duo Capital Cities were to perform and you could smell the anticipation in the crowd.
Stepping into a Showbox SoDo that was packed from wall to wall, I found myself immersed in a crowd smothered in red plaid and black fidgeting before the lights dimmed for the long-awaited American Dream Tour with co-headliners Of Mice & Men and Bring Me the Horizon. The tour, which included opening acts letlive. and Issues, successfully corralled over-eager crowd surfers and teenage boys willingly throwing themselves at the bands. One look at BMTH frontman Oliver ‘Oli’ Sykes, and the boys must have been thinking, treat yo self.
With the vocal clarity and power reminiscent of Stevie Nicks, an effortless stage presence that just screams “rock star,” and the ability to write and perform songs with such artistry and depth, Lissie is undoubtedly a musical force to be reckoned with.
Instead of Seattle music’s biggest night at the Showbox last Friday, I made the trek to see Switchfoot at Wild Waves, a band I’ve had a love/somewhat dislike relationship with for years. With ‘Hello Hurricane’ (2010) and ‘Vice Verses’ (2011) out long enough now for me to really soak in, it’s turned more into love, but the San Diego quintet more than makes up for a handful of weak songs through an unmatched live show.
Last Friday, I commemorated my return to Seattle by photographing the Moneta Music Video Release Show at Showbox at the Market. It was a strange feeling stepping into that room after almost a year of going to shows in New York City venues, but it’s hard not to appreciate the wood floors and upside down red umbrella sculptures on the ceiling of the original Showbox.
The line emerging from the venue doors varied in all ages and sizes; everyone there for one reason. A Day to Remember’s headliner tour “Right Back At it Again” made its stop in Seattle and left all those attended with yet another show they will surely never forget. The tour was a massive one, with countless sold out shows in its route, but with the supporting line-up (Issues and Of Mice & Men) it wasn’t a surprise as to why.
