Going to this concert was not entirely voluntary on my part but it is also true that it wasn't something I was completely against. In my younger days I was JoeConcertGoer and attended a wide variety of shows. I actually still have the ticket stubs. That's either pathetic or lazy - but check this out - I have credentials! So, my opinion matters right? I've been to a lot of concerts. I can teach all these kids about rock n roll.
The show started at 6 PM - We left around 4:45 and got there around 5:30. There was already a long line so I dropped the girls at the entrance and parked the car. It occurred to me as I was walking to the venue to see them in that they had left the tickets I printed for them in the car. Fortunately, my wife had also printed the tickets off and they had those tickets. I got to the entrance just as they were going in. The only person that had any money was Brenna so I gave Autumn $30 to share with Cil (it was all I had) and told them to have a good time.
I walked around a bit and at 5 till 6:00 I went in and took my seat in the mezzanine, all the while trying to be careful to avoid detection by my daughters.
Blending in like a ninja.
The floor was just an open space - no chairs. Which I agree is the best way to rock, but makes me nervous as a father of young daughters at their first concert. The sound was decent but I was having trouble identifying songs from SWS and ATL that I knew. It was all drums, bass and vocals. Any keys and guitars were just for flavor. Clearly in modern pop-punk the instruments are just there to back the vocals. But the venue was a solid venue. The seat was comfortable and I had some elbow room so I settled in for what I didn't know at the time would be a 4.5 hour concert. Sitting a couple of seats down was another father like myself. The place was about half full when the first band took the stage. I put in my ear plugs ....
The first band was Neck Deep. Now, I wouldn't have known these fellows from Adam so my review here is from that perspective. Having said that, I was impressed. The opening band just doesn't get any help, you know? No props, house lights, and a crowd that is waiting for you to finish your set so they can see the punchline. But, the energy was there, the effort was there. I appreciated it ... but it is also true that I also fell asleep toward the end of the set. Some young lady had to tap me on the leg to wake me up so she could get by me and let me tell you - there is just no way to recover and look cool when you've been caught napping during the opening act.
... waa .. I wasn't sleeping! ...
I managed to stay awake from that point on. Kellen from SWS came onstage to do a tune with Neck Deep. I could tell it was Kellen not because I recognize him but because of the excited squeals from the teenage girl contingent (which was well represented at this show).
20 minutes and Neck Deep exits - a 10 minute intermission to get One OK Rock setup and they started playing their set. The place seemed to still be about half full. Nothing to report here. I did notice that they got a little more stage space than Neck Deep and they got to use a couple of small backdrops which looked like album covers. I had never heard or seen these guys before and I did not realize they actually are Japanese until I just now looked up their website. As was the case with Neck Deep I have to give it to these guys - they gave it the old college try. Having played to enough lethargic crowds in my life I can't help but love it when they make the most of what they have to work with. Neck Deep and One OK had no props - they had themselves. And that was enough. They put a lot into it.
The intermission before Sleeping With Sirens was about 30 minutes. They had a fairly elaborate setup. It was an impressive light show an it was interesting to note the different body language between the openers and the main acts. SWS and ATL did not move around as much. They let the light show create the energy and carry the enthusiasm. Not that is was boring at all but it was clearly a different dynamic.
IIRC SWS opened with "Kick Me" and went into "Do it Now, Remember it Later" - which were obvious choices and as I mentioned before I would not have recognized it had I not heard the vocal hooks. The bands were not good at reproducing their recorded sound - at least not in this venue. Yes, Yes, they were not necessarily trying to reproduce their recorded sound - I know.
A couple songs into the set I was shocked to see SWS do a drum solo - of all things. I believe that was the only break Kellen took. He was out there for the lion's share of the time. Which is particularly important because I know my girls wanted to see him.
The chorus was in full voice. These girls were singing along with most of these songs and Kellen, to his credit, was letting them be heard. Their acoustic set was well done to the point of being impressive. These guys knew how to perform and were comfortable carrying their songs all by themselves, letting the crowd help, letting the lights help and then ... helping Neck Deep. Their rendition of "The Strays" came across as believable and it left you wanting more.
At one point, early in the show, Kellen took a break to talk to everyone and give them a pep talk. He talked about growing up in a repressed town in which he was called names. He told the kids to never give in, never give up, never apologize for who you are, etc. I do not doubt it was from the heart but I couldn't get past the fact that it sounded like a script written by their corporate sponsors. It just fit their image too well. However, despite my jaded perspective I knew that Kellen was likely talking directly to my daughters and he likely made a huge impact. And I thank him for that. His message made the mistake of being a little impetuous but that's the life of a teenager.
I know they did "If You Can't Hang". The rest of the songs I struggled to recognize. And I did not even realize they had acoustic songs to do so that was a pleasant surprise and a welcome change of pace. Their tunes tend to be a little relentless.
Another 30 minute intermission and All Time Low was taking the stage around 9:02 I think it was - to a packed house. Their opener was "Backseat Serenade" and one of the things that marked these guys was deliberate intention to connect with the crowd. In the middle of this tune one of the guys on mic said something like "You guys enjoying this song?" All Time Low and Sleeping with Sirens had what I felt like was a dangerous lack of regard for pacing, transition and momentum. Their was a lot of talking between tunes. At one point the lead singer brought some kid up on stage to "put him on the spot" and have him play guitar with the band. It had to be staged because the kid was great and even took liberties to run around on stage and ham it up with other band members. Before they could get him off the stage the kid grabbed a mic an told everyone how a former ATL concert inspired him to play music. Of course, the crowd ate it up as I am sure did my daughters. But the kid did a great job.
Another surprising thing was ATL's acoustic set. It was charming. They played "Missing You" and my third daughter's favorite from the night "Cinderblock Garden". After the first acoustic tune the singer gave the audience the chance to pick the next song: "Remembering Sunday" or "Therapy". The crowd went with Therapy and loved it.
The jaded part of ATL for me was the intro to "Missing You" - which is a song about suicide I think. But yeah, the singer said something to the effect of "everyone in this community has your back" or some other nonsense. Total drivel, but it played as expected.
I left early (of course). I bought four t-shirts for $120 and I waited outside so I missed the best part of ATL. I'm sure they played Kids in the Dark and all that. But the girls came out and they looked excited. My third daughter looked exhausted but she was halfway through a Rockstar and told me it was "SO FUN". I gave them their shirts and we talked a bit. I had a hard time not telling them I had seen the show but I drilled them with questions on what they liked and what they thought was the best. "Cinderblock Garden" and "Kick Me" went over well. Jack is the best guitar player and it was a split decision on who was cutest: Kellen or Jack.
It was mostly a quiet ride home. I suppose the high was wearing off and they were all feeling the long night. We made it home and the girls talked to mom for a bit. We didn't do much the following day. Just took it easy. I noticed my second and third daughters wore the shirts I got them.
As a dad I think things went well. I want my daughters to feel like they have a good life. I want them to be proud of me as a provider and know that I am fun enough to know that being a provider is more than just about bare sustenance. It should be about joy and finding a way to share what they enjoy as much possible as lately seem to be drawing away from my wife and I way too quickly. Music is something my family should share as long as it can so I express my heartfelt gratitude to those young men of Neck Deep, One OK Rock, Sleeping with Sirens and All Time Low. Thank you boys!
