Concert Review: The Amity Affliction at the Roundhouse London

Band: The Amity Affliction
Opening bands: Wage War, Stray from the Path and Northlane
Venue: The Roundhouse London
Date: December 6th 2016

By now you probably all start to realize how much that I love to go to concerts. In some way they are just really addictive. So the other week I went to the last concert that I had planned for this year and that was The Amity Affliction.

At first I was not sure if I would be going to this one since I am not a big fan of one of the bands they were touring with. But in the end I decided that it would be worth it since the other bands were all great. And I am glad that I decided to go because the evening was great.  Wage War was the first band of the evening to play; they are still a relatively young band with only one album. I had never heard of them before until I found out that they would be touring with The Amity Affliction.  I am so glad that I discovered them because this band is truly amazing and I can see them doing some great things in the future. After them it was Stray From the Path, they weren’t bad at all and I truly enjoyed listening to their music. But I do not think that it’s a band that I would just frequently listen to in my free time. But it was still good fun to see them live and the crowd seemed to love them as well.  After that it was time for Northlane to take the stage. And this is the band that I am not the biggest fan of.  With their music it is that I like some parts of their songs but I absolute dislike other parts. I cannot put my finger exactly on it why that is but it just has always been like that with them for every song. I was hoping that I would like them better when I saw them life, but that wasn’t really the case. But maybe it is just me since a lot of people seem to absolutely love them and they were all having an excellent time.

Finally after the long wait The Amity Affliction came on the stage. I got to know this band last year and I fell in love with them from the start. Their lyrics are so strong and to the point. And if you combine that with their instrumental skills, well it just blows you away. I had already seen them live earlier in the year at a festival and I enjoyed them so much that I wanted to go see them again. Especially since they had a new album out this year. I am so glad that I did go see them again. They were so good! It was insane; I just completely lost myself in the music. Even more so in their old songs. Maybe it is just because some of them hit so close to home. Anyway the guys were great again and it was everything that I could have asked for.

Overall the evening was great. The music was amazing most of the time and the vibe that the crowd gave off was good as well. I cannot wait for next year and for more concerts!

Elien

Concert Review: Memphis May Fire at Koko London

Headliner Band: Memphis May Fire
Co-Headliner: Silverstein
Opening bands: Like Moths to Flames, The Devil Wears Prada
Venue: Koko London
Date: December 1st 2016

Earlier this year I went to this festival in the UK called SlamDunk and when I was there I got to see Memphis May Fire. I absolutely loved them back then and decided that if I ever got the chance again then I would go see them again. Last week the opportunity arose so evidently I went to their concert here in London.

In general it was a pretty amazing evening; four bands from Rise Records (a record label that I love) went on tour together. So it already had the promise to be amazing. And none of the bands have me let me down. Like Moths to Flames were the first to take the stage, at time the venue was still pretty empty but the guys had no problem with that at all. There might not have been a lot of people but the ones that were there were of their feet and were going nuts for it. After them it was The Devil Wears Prada who got to take the stage. I didn’t listen to them that much before the show but boy these guys are so good! They just blew me away, I definitely hope to see them again next year or so. And by then I’ll definitely know all their songs. Silverstein was probably one of the biggest names of the evening and you could definitely notice that through the crowd. By the time their set started the crowed had tripled in size at least and you could just feel the anticipation growing before they took the stage. I used to listen to this band quite a lot when I was younger so seeing them live naturally also brought up some nostalgia. It really is a shame that they don’t tour more often in the UK because these guys are definitely amazing. You can see that they have years of experience, they take on the stage and they own it. And when I looked at the crowd then I could see that they felt the exact same way as I did. Last but not least there was Memphis May Fire; words cannot describe how much I love these guys. Their music sometimes feels so relatable, singing along to their song is like pouring out your soul. And the vibe that was in the venue while they were performing was so amazing. It had been a while since I truly enjoyed myself that much at a concert and where I could completely let go of myself. And sometimes that’s all we need.

Overall I really enjoyed this concert. All the bands were amazing and it made for a really remarkable evening. I cannot wait to see some of them live again in the future. 

Elien

Concert Review: Pierce The Veil at the O2 Academy Brixton

Band: Pierce The Veil
Opening Acts: Creeper and Letlive
Venue: O2 Academy Brixton
Date: November 27th 2016

Another week another concert review. Last week I went to see Pierce The Veil live at the O2 Academy in Brixton, London. I have been a fan of this band for many years, basically since I was a teenager.  And finally I had the chance to go see them live, so of course I had to go. And I am so glad that I did.

I always go see the opening bands as well, this time it was Creeper and Letlive. I had seen Creeper before when they opened for another band at another concert in London. And to be fair I am not the biggest fan of them. It is not that they are bad, the certainly aren’t but their music is just not my thing. I think partly because the lead singer’s voice is a bit weird. I had never seen Letlive before, I even had never heard of them before. Their music certainly wasn’t bad but I found that the singer had too much attitude. I don’t know if that makes any sense since it is a rock band after all. But the way he behaved on the stage it was just not my thing I guess.

Now on to the main act for the evening, Pierce The Veil. I have been wanted to see them live for years and they were so worth the wait. Their entrance on the stage was so epic, first they played some intro video on a big intro screen and afterwards they basically broke out off a space rocket. It was so nice to see. And there music was so on point, from the very first song they had swept up the crowd. They played a decent amount from their older albums, which I love. I always hate it when bands only play songs from their newest album. I also want to hear the stuff that I fell in love with in the first place. And Pierce The Veil did exactly that. Anyway their newest album is insanely good as well so all the songs that they performed were top notch. I believe that they have been around for ten years now and you can clearly hear that in their music. They really bring it to life when they play it on stage. One of the best things is that just everyone can sing along with all their songs.

Overall I really enjoyed this concert, the opening acts might not have been my favorite but Pierce The Veil was just amazing. The evening was much to short and I can honestly not wait to see these guys again at some point!

Elien

Concert Review: Architects at the O2 Academy Brixton

Band: Architects
Opening Acts: Stick To Your Guns and Bury Tomorrow
Venue: O2 Academy Brixton
Date: November 18th 2016

Another week, another concert. There are times that I really think that going to concerts have become some sort of addiction. I just cannot help going to them, I guess it is kind of the same with books I can just not help buying those either. But they are always good fun so I guess it is money well spent.

This week’s review is of Architects at the O2 Academy Brixton. This concert was so special, the band has gone through so much this year so it was great to see them there on stage giving everything they had. But more on that later; let’s start with the opening acts first. Stick To Your Guns, had to honor to open for Architects. I am a big fan of them so for me it was great that I got to see two bands that I love in one evening. And they did not disappoint me. They played so many of my favorite songs; they started off with Nobody which is like my all-time favorite of them. These guys have so much energy on stage that you cannot help but get excited when they play. And what I love the most is that their songs always carry an important message, they are not just meaningless songs but they actually want to inspire and comfort the people who listen to it. It was a shame that they were just the opening act because I would not have minded at all if they had played longer! After them it was time for Burry Tomorrow to take the stage. To be fair I had never heard of them before but I have to admit that they were not bad at all. And the crowds went mad for them; at this point I could already feel that the evening would turn into something special. I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing those guys playing again in the future.

Now on to the main act of the evening, Architects. Right from the very first notes of Nihilist that they played you knew that the crowds were going to get mental. And boy it did, I probably went home with a couple of bruises from all the circle pits but it was all worth it. This band is another band that writes really powerful lyrics and when they perform them you can really feel all there pain, hate and love in them. Seeing them perform is something really special. And the past tour that they have done is even more special. Earlier this year, Tom Searle, the guitarist of the band and twin brother of the drummer, passed away due to cancer. It must be and still is a difficult period that the band has to go through. But at the concert the support we all gave them was incredible; there was a feeling of unity when the crowd chanted out Toms name to show their support to the band. And you could clearly see that the band was performing for Tom. It was a very powerful and emotional show and I don’t think anyone left the show unmoved. Especially after Tom’s brother held a speech at the end of the show. Anyway there are not enough words to describe this evening and I am glad that I could be there to be part of this stunning evening. 

Elien

Concert Review: Bring Me The Horizon live at the O2 Arena London

Band: Bring Me The Horizon
Opening Acts: Don Broco and Basement
Venue: O2 Arena London
Date: November 5th 2016

Earlier this week I posted a Band of the Month post which featured Bring Me The Horizon. As it happens I also went to a concert of them last week. And I am going to be completely honest here, it was the third time I saw them this year. But I do not regret seeing them that much in the least! They are such an amazing band and probably one of my all-time favorites as well. Besides every single time I have seen them it was in a different setting. With a live orchestra, at a festival or like this time in the O2 arena in London. Anyway now lets get started on how amazing the evening was!

BMTH had brought two other bands with them on their UK tour and I am always someone who goes in time for the support acts as well even when I do not know them. Sometimes I get nicely surprised by it and can add another band to my ever growing list of bands that I love. So on this tour it was Basement that got to warm the public up for the next bands. I had never heard of them but I decided to give them a shot anyway. It was not like they were bad but I would not say that I will probably go watch them when they headline their own concerts. But it is always nice to get to experience a new band and it also a great opportunity for them to open such a great concerts. The second opening act was Don Broco and I just love those guys. I have been listening to them for a couple of years now but I had never had the chance to see them live before. So I was so happy when I found out that they would be opening for BMTH. And I am so glad that I finally did see them they were truly amazing, they knew how to sweep up the crowd. From that moment on my evening could only get better. And I am definitely planning on seeing those guys again whenever I get the chance.

Now on to BMTH their concert. I have no idea where to begin to be honest. It was such a great experience. The visual aspects were on point with their songs that it was almost impossible to believe. And the live music itself was so great as well. I might have seen them a couple of times already but every time they know how to bring their songs somewhat differently. You know when you see some bands live then it just seems like they are playing their songs exactly like they appear on the record.  Which is fine but it is always nicer when they add a little extra to it when they play it live.  And that is exactly what BMTH does, the intro to their songs are always something special which keeps you guessing as to which song will be next. On top of that they always tend to change some other things up as well so it never feels the same whenever you go to see them. Another great thing is that atmosphere whenever you go see them live. Everyone can scream their songs at the top of their lungs and you can let completely go of yourself which is what I am always looking for when I go to a concert.

Overall I really loved this concert. It was an amazing evening that I probably will not forget any time soon. And to be hones I cannot wait until I get the chance again to see them live!

Concert Review: You Me At Six at O2 Shepherd's Bus Empire London

Band: You Me At Six
Opening act: Vant
Location: O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire London
Date: 24th October 2016

This year I have been going to so many concerts. So I thought why do I not write reviews for those? Music is a big passion of mine so it would make sense to future it more on my blog here. From now on I am also going to review all the concerts that I have been to. And the first one will be You Me At Six, live at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire London.

When I was sixteen I went to a concert with my friends for the first time in my live and that concert happened to be You Me At Six. I still remember that one really clearly and I loved every minute of it. Since then I never stopped following their music and each album they bring out is so different from the one before and it seems like they keep growing every year. So last week I finally got the chance to see them again after all those years and I was so happy that I was lucky enough to get tickets since their London show sold out in less than three minutes!

Anyway now about that concert last week, it was just brilliant from the start. They had picked a great opening band called Vant, I had never heard of them before but they were definitely worth coming early. The guys brought so much energy with them that the crowd was well warmed up before You Me At Six came on stage. When they finally came on stag the crowed was buzzing and you could feel the anticipation and boy they did not let me down. They started so strong from the very first minute and they kept it going all the way through the end.  It’s incredible to see how much these guys have grown as a band throughout the years. Josh has so much more control over his voice now and he can put so much emotion in it that it really moves you. Instrumental and lyrically they have grown so much as well. This is understandable since they were just teenagers when they started with the band.  Now when they perform their songs transport you to another level and their music really has the ability to unify the whole crowd.

As far as the songs go that they played, they did pick out some really good ones. For me it was hard it was hard to say which ones I definitely wanted to hear since I am such a big fan of them and can sing every single one of their songs along at the top of my lungs. But the ones they played were definitely some of my favorites. I also loved that they still played songs from their older albums as well, since some bands sometimes only play songs from their latest album. And what makes it even greater is that the whole crowed knew all the songs. From the oldest to the newest ones. I don’t come across that really often and it made the experience that much greater.

Going to the show in London was an amazing experience and it was definitely worth the wait. To me they proved again why they are one of my favorite bands ever and why I will listen to any kind of music that they will make. And let me tell you those guys are only to keep growing. I cannot wait to see them again on tour and for their new album to come out!

Elien