AFI Concert Review
Hey all, WVOU webmaster Michael Silber here throwing up a review of the recent AFI concert. Enjoy.
--Michael
By Laurel Salvo
September 15th, Long Beach, California. Friday Night. Best night of my life. The ecstasy started early in the morning, beginning a wakeful period of 23 hours. Flying from Philly to Long Beach was quite a journey; the hectic hassles of travel, the crowds of eclectic people, the stress of staying in California for just one day and returning to PA the next--it was so worth it. My name is Laurel Salvo, and I’m now addicted to AFI concerts.
I arrived at the fabulous Long Beach arena at 6pm and didn’t leave until 11:30pm. Every second of the experience was insanity…with sugar on top. First on stage was Saosin. As it goes with most bands that sound a bit obscure, I first learned about them on Myspace. They had five youthful and energetic members that made their performance riveting. The set was excellent and they were very gracious to the fans for showing up early. I especially enjoyed “Voices” and “Follow and Feel”. Their new Cd drops September 26th and you should definitely check it out.
Afterwards, Tiger Army strutted on stage with all three of their members. Lead singer/guitarist Nick13 displayed some of the best riffs I’ve ever heard in my life. They had an exceptionally unique sound that can only be described as a mix of bluegrass and rock…odd combination, I know, but it worked.
And then came the moment of truth. After an excruciatingly long setup, AFI came on stage. The lights in the arena went dark without warning. Chimes of Prelude 12/21 (the introductory song to their most recent Cd, Decemberunderground) flooded my mind. Then came the drums. Amidst the lights of the stage, we could see the silhouettes of the four band members. Then, all at once, after the first verse, the black curtain dropped abruptly. They appeared, godlike, dressed entirely in white clothes.
There was electricity in the air that was indescribable. 13,500 seats were filled with die-hard fans and the entire 90 minutes of their set, we were all on our feet. They showed such a passion for their music; as if this was the first time they were performing the songs live. Lead singer Davey Havok displayed such intensity and his presence was more than magnetic. Jade Puget (lead guitar) and Hunter Burgan riled up the crowd with signature moves of spins, splits, and high jumps of the drum rise. Adam Carson’s drumming became the rhythmic heartbeat of the venue.
Towards the end, they sang their new single to come, “Love like Winter” and thousands of pieces of snow-white confetti floated over the mosh pit, transforming it into a true Decemberunderground. Closing off the set, Davey Havok succumbed to the raging chants of the fans and indulged it with a crowd-walk, a scene that drew screams from every throat that was there.
Overall, although I have no other AFI concert to compare it to, (this was my first) I’d have to give it two major thumbs up. To end, I hope you all check out AFI, whether you decide to test one of their songs or simply visit their Myspace to find out what they are about. I assure you, it’s worth your time.
As Davey Havok once said, “I’ll see you in our December, or…thereafter.”
*AFI is currently touring Europe and New Zealand until November. Lead guitarist Jade Puget commented and promised to return to the states “with another long tour next spring.”
*AFI is a Straightedge band and they don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs.
www.myspace.com/afi
www.myspace.com/saosin
www.myspace.com/tigerarmy
--Michael
By Laurel Salvo
September 15th, Long Beach, California. Friday Night. Best night of my life. The ecstasy started early in the morning, beginning a wakeful period of 23 hours. Flying from Philly to Long Beach was quite a journey; the hectic hassles of travel, the crowds of eclectic people, the stress of staying in California for just one day and returning to PA the next--it was so worth it. My name is Laurel Salvo, and I’m now addicted to AFI concerts.
I arrived at the fabulous Long Beach arena at 6pm and didn’t leave until 11:30pm. Every second of the experience was insanity…with sugar on top. First on stage was Saosin. As it goes with most bands that sound a bit obscure, I first learned about them on Myspace. They had five youthful and energetic members that made their performance riveting. The set was excellent and they were very gracious to the fans for showing up early. I especially enjoyed “Voices” and “Follow and Feel”. Their new Cd drops September 26th and you should definitely check it out.
Afterwards, Tiger Army strutted on stage with all three of their members. Lead singer/guitarist Nick13 displayed some of the best riffs I’ve ever heard in my life. They had an exceptionally unique sound that can only be described as a mix of bluegrass and rock…odd combination, I know, but it worked.
And then came the moment of truth. After an excruciatingly long setup, AFI came on stage. The lights in the arena went dark without warning. Chimes of Prelude 12/21 (the introductory song to their most recent Cd, Decemberunderground) flooded my mind. Then came the drums. Amidst the lights of the stage, we could see the silhouettes of the four band members. Then, all at once, after the first verse, the black curtain dropped abruptly. They appeared, godlike, dressed entirely in white clothes.
There was electricity in the air that was indescribable. 13,500 seats were filled with die-hard fans and the entire 90 minutes of their set, we were all on our feet. They showed such a passion for their music; as if this was the first time they were performing the songs live. Lead singer Davey Havok displayed such intensity and his presence was more than magnetic. Jade Puget (lead guitar) and Hunter Burgan riled up the crowd with signature moves of spins, splits, and high jumps of the drum rise. Adam Carson’s drumming became the rhythmic heartbeat of the venue.
Towards the end, they sang their new single to come, “Love like Winter” and thousands of pieces of snow-white confetti floated over the mosh pit, transforming it into a true Decemberunderground. Closing off the set, Davey Havok succumbed to the raging chants of the fans and indulged it with a crowd-walk, a scene that drew screams from every throat that was there.
Overall, although I have no other AFI concert to compare it to, (this was my first) I’d have to give it two major thumbs up. To end, I hope you all check out AFI, whether you decide to test one of their songs or simply visit their Myspace to find out what they are about. I assure you, it’s worth your time.
As Davey Havok once said, “I’ll see you in our December, or…thereafter.”
*AFI is currently touring Europe and New Zealand until November. Lead guitarist Jade Puget commented and promised to return to the states “with another long tour next spring.”
*AFI is a Straightedge band and they don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs.
www.myspace.com/afi
www.myspace.com/saosin
www.myspace.com/tigerarmy
posted by WVOU at 4:51 AM
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