Rise Against @ Sydney Entertainment Centre 16/07/11
July 22nd 2011 23:54
I had issues about seeing a punk/hardcore show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. It just didn’t feel right to me. But nonetheless, tonight’s gig was one of the more enjoyable shows I’ve seen this year.
Veteran New York hardcore act Sick Of It All kicked things off. The Koller brothers led the thousands through a lesson of quality hardcore punk. When four heavily tattooed, muscled men tell you to start a circle - you start a damn circle pit! The crowd on the floor got more and more into their set as it went along with slam dancing, circle pits and sing alongs to classic Sick Of It All tracks like “Step Down” and “Built To Last”.
I forgot just how good Sick Of It All were. I was talking to a friend about how we first came across Sick Of It All through those record label sampler albums in the 90’s and by their video for “Step Down” when watching rage late on a friday night. Tonight’s set showed an experienced stage act working the larger room to its potential and showing us why they still are a great band.
Rise Against didn’t bother to wait for their allotted start time and hit the stage early while most of us still at the bar. They tore through their set with barely a pause. The crowd, even those in the seated section were on their feet jumping and singing along to every word. The band themselves owned the stage. They had energy and enthusiasm that radiated across the crowd. The entire room buzzed with electricity.
Their set consisted of a good mix of tracks from their catalogue, obviously focusing mostly on their new record “Endgame”. Tracks like “Architects”, “Make It Stop” and “Help Is On The Way” carried the same energy and voice as older Rise Against tracks such as the powerful “Ready To Fall” and the anthemic “Give It All”. Tim and Zack slowed it down mid set for a couple of acoustic tracks including the heart wrenching tale of a modern soldiers life in “Hero Of War”.
With the night over and my throat hoarse from singing along, I was left with that euphoric sensation you get from a fantastic gig. You wished the band played for another hour and half but glad they didn’t as you were absolutely drained physically after the show. Punk rock has always held a special place in my heart and still to this day nothing beats a good punk show. Even if it’s in the ridiculous venue such as the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
Veteran New York hardcore act Sick Of It All kicked things off. The Koller brothers led the thousands through a lesson of quality hardcore punk. When four heavily tattooed, muscled men tell you to start a circle - you start a damn circle pit! The crowd on the floor got more and more into their set as it went along with slam dancing, circle pits and sing alongs to classic Sick Of It All tracks like “Step Down” and “Built To Last”.
I forgot just how good Sick Of It All were. I was talking to a friend about how we first came across Sick Of It All through those record label sampler albums in the 90’s and by their video for “Step Down” when watching rage late on a friday night. Tonight’s set showed an experienced stage act working the larger room to its potential and showing us why they still are a great band.
Rise Against didn’t bother to wait for their allotted start time and hit the stage early while most of us still at the bar. They tore through their set with barely a pause. The crowd, even those in the seated section were on their feet jumping and singing along to every word. The band themselves owned the stage. They had energy and enthusiasm that radiated across the crowd. The entire room buzzed with electricity.
Their set consisted of a good mix of tracks from their catalogue, obviously focusing mostly on their new record “Endgame”. Tracks like “Architects”, “Make It Stop” and “Help Is On The Way” carried the same energy and voice as older Rise Against tracks such as the powerful “Ready To Fall” and the anthemic “Give It All”. Tim and Zack slowed it down mid set for a couple of acoustic tracks including the heart wrenching tale of a modern soldiers life in “Hero Of War”.
With the night over and my throat hoarse from singing along, I was left with that euphoric sensation you get from a fantastic gig. You wished the band played for another hour and half but glad they didn’t as you were absolutely drained physically after the show. Punk rock has always held a special place in my heart and still to this day nothing beats a good punk show. Even if it’s in the ridiculous venue such as the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
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