Photo: Janice French
On a blackened stage the only thing that can be seen are the drums glowing orange. The crowd starts to cheer wildly as Saosin grabs hold, takes off and soars. Driven by Alex’s drums, ‘Follow The Feel’ never bogs down but continues on like a rollercoaster crowned by hair raising vocals and steely riffs. Cove Reber insistently electrifies us with ‘Seven Years’ as his high-pitched wandering vox overlays and blends with raw screamo grit, urgent licks and a chugging bass. During ‘Voices’ Cove holds the mic out to the crowd who sings the chorus “We speak in different voices” then puts it to his lips and hits a long, incredible high note finishing the piece.
People are crushed against the rail as Senses Fail takes to the stage. They put on a hard, head spinning fast performance. The surfers start from halfway back on an arena floor of thousands and spill over the rail like a title wave. Buddy Nielsen roars on in front of the swaying horde as ‘Still Searching’ burns into our brains. He jumps and spins, strobes flash and coloured lights whirl whilst ‘Waiting In Vain’ reigns. Buddy gets on the rail and ferociously screams in their faces putting on one of the most venomous sets we’ve seen from them to date.
An exotic red and black oriental set is assembled for 30 Seconds To Mars. There is a commotion at the back of the arena. Holding banner flags high, the band suddenly breaks through the mob, jumps up on stage and launches into ‘A Beautiful Lie.’ Cove Reber from Saosin joins them for the potent ‘Battle Of One.’ Jared throws long stemmed red roses out into the crowd then ‘Revolve’ begins whilst surfing reaches a shocking level.
‘The Kill’ starts out with Jared in an aqua spot light on a purple stage. He leans out and sweeps his hand across the audience as the mosh pit rages. Still singing, he jumps off the stage, runs up into the stands then pushes his way around the entire venue. People are straining to touch him and it becomes a sea of arms as he fights his way back to the stage whilst the mob chants “come break me down.”
Polished and personable The Used are properly greeted by adoring fans. Their stage is set like a trippy garden. Huge surreal tall palm fronds glow as they sing the classic ‘Liar, Liar.’ The audience slowly claps their hands overhead whilst the haunting ‘All That I’ve Got’ mesmerizes us. It’s the lead singer Bert McCracken’s birthday and a beautiful girl brings out a cake. He grins and shouts “This is the love of my life,” blows out the candles and hurls the cake into the crowd. Drums thunder, the light show churns then the agony and outrage of ‘Handsome Awkward’ hits us.
Wil from Aiden throws a black rose into the horde and joins Bert for the scorching ‘Box Full Of Sharp Objects.’ Bert and Wil face each other and both let out a roar that seems to come from Hell it’s self. A giant circle pit rampages away as we count 14 surfers flying through the air and the night draws to a close with ‘Yesterday’s Feeling.’ They leave us wanting more and we might get it with the new album The Used are releasing in May, 'Leave The Lies To The Liars.'
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