Source: official promo shot
The Forum is buzzing with idle chitchat and excitement as people rush in looking for the ideal spot to watch alt-rock favourites Taking Back Sunday. Not going to lie, we even did the “go stand there and check if you can see” thing.
But before Taking Back Sunday hit the stage, Exeter rock trio Black Foxxes are up. The band take to the stage and don’t waste any time getting the crowd hyped up. The band’s intoxicating energy is an absolute pleasure to watch, and everyone in the room, including those still entering the venue, are taking notice. The passionate vocals from singer Mark Holley are only matched by his spirited stage presence—qualities that are reminiscent of headliner Taking Back Sunday. The trio cause enough noise, enough damage and enough badass rock n roll madness that we’re left pretty much thinking “why the hell aren’t we listening to these guys all the damn time?”
Loud screams are heard as the lights go down for the second time. If we didn’t know any better, we’d think it was Taking Back Sunday’s turn, but we know the loud applause and uncontrollable cheers are for Frank Iero And The Patience. The band play their unusual and thrilling brand of alt-punk, and the crowd are loving every exciting, chaotic, and often, extremely disorderly, minute of it. Their mystifying, punchy tracks are met with fist bumps, clap-alongs, mosh pits and crowd surfing. We’d definitely call that a successful set!
If there’s one thing that alternative music fans can agree on it is that Taking Back Sunday is an extremely influential band. There aren’t any words that could ever discredit the genius that is Taking Back Sunday and the legacy they have left—and that includes the words ‘nostalgic’ and ‘emo’.
Kicking it off with new tracks from their recent album Tidal Wave, the band play with the kind of energy that makes your face hurt and your feet sore. Despite the sound issues (Damn you, Forum) the band don’t show any signs of slowing down—and either does Adam Lazzara’s swinging microphone. They play a mixed set featuring some brand new Tidal Wave gems, classic TBS tunes, and even some passionate ballad-types like ‘Flicker, Fade’, ‘Better Homes and Gardens’ and ‘My Blue Heaven’.
You’ll always have a good time at a Taking Back Sunday show. That’s a guarantee! You wouldn’t even need to listen to a single heartfelt, forceful word or note, Adam Lazzara’s famous mic moves are enough to make you stand there in awe watching their pure, unattainable coolness. And there is nothing cooler than hearing 2200ish (give or take 100) people screaming along at the top of their lungs to ‘You’re So Last Summer’ or ‘Liar (It Takes One To Know One)’. And nothing is a greater reminder of how truly special and phenomenal Taking Back Sunday are than when they are playing ‘A Decade Under The Influence’ or ‘Cute Without The ‘E’ (Cut From The Team)’ with that uncontrollable TBS passion.
Another wonderful show from Taking Back Sunday.
