Jared Kaufman
02/13/06, 08:36 AM
Last night, despite the snow, the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC had a rock show. The Academy Is (http://www.theacademyis.com), Panic! At The Disco (http://www.panicatthedisco.com), Acceptance (http://www.myspace.com/acceptance) and hellogoodbye (http://www.myspace.com/hellogoodbye) came to make the kids dance and sweat, and they did just that. Read my show review below.
I was really worried this show was going to be cancelled due to the inclement weather; however, everything still went on according to plan ... kind of. hellogoodbye are the tour's openers, which makes sense seeing as they haven't released a full length yet. Being the opener and only having a handful of songs released to the public, though, didn't hinder them in the slightest. They walked onto the stage with Darth Vadar and Beyonce' cardboard cut outs strategically placed and were welcomed to applause and cheers. A lot of the kids there were amped to see these guys; not only were they excited to see them, but quite a few were singing-a-long as well. Things didn't really pan out well for them, though. Due to technical difficulties, the band was only able to play three songs, one being entirely acoustic. We were treated to a little stand-up comedy from Forrest, though, while they attempted to get things fixed, but to no avail. It's really not fair for me to judge their live show based on this because I think their whole set was plagued by these technical difficulties and they didn't get to showcase much of what they had to offer. I'll definitely make sure to check them out next time they're around again, though.
Up next was Acceptance. Yep, that's right, the band with probably the most underrated album to come out last year. I wondered what the crowd was going to be like for them because every other time I've seen them not too many kids weren't there for them or familiar with their material. That definitely wasn't the case last night, or the kids at least played it off well. They seemed to have the kids in the palm of their hands, bouncing up and down and singing-a-long. The sound seemed a little off for them, especially vocally, but they as a whole seem to be just as tight knit as ever. You can tell each member of this band feels each note and gives their all for each song. Their set was an amazing 25 minutes or however long they were on stage showcasing the pop-rock sensation of Phantoms. I don't think I can ever get tired of hearing "So Contagious," especially live. That song, that moment, was definitely the set's highlight and seemed to get the biggest reaction. There's just something about hearing the honesty in Jason's voice when he sings "Oh no, this couldn't be more unexpected" and "When I'm around you I'm predictable." I get chills just thinking about it. Anyway, after this set, I was more thankful this show wasn't cancelled and just realized how intense the evening as a whole was going to be.
Panic! At The Disco. It's safe to say a lot of the crowd was there for them. Well, would you be shocked if I told you the place was more than anxious waiting for their set? I was delighted to see a piano loaded onto the stage; it looked like some of my favorite elements from their album were going to be incorporated into their set. Before I go on, I don't care about TRL, MTV, radio airplay or whatever. If I like a band, then I like them. It's as simple as that. If they bring in a "little girl teeny bopper fanbase," then more power to them. I love this band and I love what they do. Some of you feel they haven't paid their dues, but they did write an album which, to me, is far from generic and original in numerous ways. Matt Squire was also in attendance last night and he told me just how hardworking this band is, especially when it came to writing and recording. No, they haven't been a band for five years. No, they haven't toured for years in a tiny van. However, they prove a lot about themselves as musicians in various other ways and I can only respect them for that. With all that being said, the band had the place in a frenzy. As soon as the lights dimmed and they took the stage, you pretty much had two options: scream with everyone (and I mean everyone) or be the only person there not having fun. From beginning to end, the crowd was jumping, screaming, singing, dancing and giving their all back to the band. Everyone was moving (and again, I mean everyone). Needless to say, the crowd wanted to hear "Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off," because as soon as it started the place shook. I can't deny it, that's my favorite song from their album and I wanted to hear it too. Maybe it was the intensity of the crowd or the few beers in my system, but I couldn't help but scream along word for word throughout their set. "Build God, Then We'll Talk" was probably the second best part of their set and an incredible highlight as well. It was awesome hearing the middle cello part they included seeing, as to me, that part makes the song. I think the band is still finding themselves onstage, but they sounded incredibly better from the two songs I got to see at the Nintendo Fusion Tour. I think as time goes and they tour more and more, they're just going to get better ... a lot better. How big will this band get? Only time can tell.
I was really pleased to see that no one really left after Panic! At The Disco and stayed for The Academy Is. Almost Here is an incredible pop-rock record which is even more intense live. I don't know what it is, but the band is dead on live and it adds a whole new element to those songs. There's a huge difference between the production and the raw intensity of their set, which makes the songs even more enjoyable to me. The band played every song you could possibly want to hear from their debut album along with two new ones. When the band was playing familiar material, William could stop singing and the crowd would pick up right where he left off. Actually, at certain parts, the crowd was so loud you could barely hear William. Either way, that guy does his part as a frontman; dancing, singing, and getting the crowd involved. The band, like I said, is dead on live. Andy, the drummer, plays fierce and hard. Adam slaps the bass and adds the groove which mold the songs. Then there is Tom and Mike who play their chords and rhythms with perfection while making sure they look like they're into it. To me, that's a huge determining factor in regards to if I like a band live or not; they have to look like they're into and feel what they've written and recorded. The Academy Is doesn't letdown in that sense at all. I must say I was really impressed with the way they performed, especially for a bigger venue.
My only complaint about the evening, aside from hellogoodbye's technical difficulties, was the fact it seemed to end so fast. Seriously, this was probably the fastest moving concert I've ever been to. Maybe it was such a fun time and I was really into all the sets? Either way, I wish it could've lasted longer. So, if you're a fan of these bands, then please make sure you go out and see this tour. You'll love every minute of it and it'll probably be some of the most fun you ever have at a show. Take your dancing shoes, though, and make sure you know all the words. Look like you want to be there and are there to have fun, because everyone else is, bands included.
Thanks to Scott, Tom and The Academy Is.
I was really worried this show was going to be cancelled due to the inclement weather; however, everything still went on according to plan ... kind of. hellogoodbye are the tour's openers, which makes sense seeing as they haven't released a full length yet. Being the opener and only having a handful of songs released to the public, though, didn't hinder them in the slightest. They walked onto the stage with Darth Vadar and Beyonce' cardboard cut outs strategically placed and were welcomed to applause and cheers. A lot of the kids there were amped to see these guys; not only were they excited to see them, but quite a few were singing-a-long as well. Things didn't really pan out well for them, though. Due to technical difficulties, the band was only able to play three songs, one being entirely acoustic. We were treated to a little stand-up comedy from Forrest, though, while they attempted to get things fixed, but to no avail. It's really not fair for me to judge their live show based on this because I think their whole set was plagued by these technical difficulties and they didn't get to showcase much of what they had to offer. I'll definitely make sure to check them out next time they're around again, though.
Up next was Acceptance. Yep, that's right, the band with probably the most underrated album to come out last year. I wondered what the crowd was going to be like for them because every other time I've seen them not too many kids weren't there for them or familiar with their material. That definitely wasn't the case last night, or the kids at least played it off well. They seemed to have the kids in the palm of their hands, bouncing up and down and singing-a-long. The sound seemed a little off for them, especially vocally, but they as a whole seem to be just as tight knit as ever. You can tell each member of this band feels each note and gives their all for each song. Their set was an amazing 25 minutes or however long they were on stage showcasing the pop-rock sensation of Phantoms. I don't think I can ever get tired of hearing "So Contagious," especially live. That song, that moment, was definitely the set's highlight and seemed to get the biggest reaction. There's just something about hearing the honesty in Jason's voice when he sings "Oh no, this couldn't be more unexpected" and "When I'm around you I'm predictable." I get chills just thinking about it. Anyway, after this set, I was more thankful this show wasn't cancelled and just realized how intense the evening as a whole was going to be.
Panic! At The Disco. It's safe to say a lot of the crowd was there for them. Well, would you be shocked if I told you the place was more than anxious waiting for their set? I was delighted to see a piano loaded onto the stage; it looked like some of my favorite elements from their album were going to be incorporated into their set. Before I go on, I don't care about TRL, MTV, radio airplay or whatever. If I like a band, then I like them. It's as simple as that. If they bring in a "little girl teeny bopper fanbase," then more power to them. I love this band and I love what they do. Some of you feel they haven't paid their dues, but they did write an album which, to me, is far from generic and original in numerous ways. Matt Squire was also in attendance last night and he told me just how hardworking this band is, especially when it came to writing and recording. No, they haven't been a band for five years. No, they haven't toured for years in a tiny van. However, they prove a lot about themselves as musicians in various other ways and I can only respect them for that. With all that being said, the band had the place in a frenzy. As soon as the lights dimmed and they took the stage, you pretty much had two options: scream with everyone (and I mean everyone) or be the only person there not having fun. From beginning to end, the crowd was jumping, screaming, singing, dancing and giving their all back to the band. Everyone was moving (and again, I mean everyone). Needless to say, the crowd wanted to hear "Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off," because as soon as it started the place shook. I can't deny it, that's my favorite song from their album and I wanted to hear it too. Maybe it was the intensity of the crowd or the few beers in my system, but I couldn't help but scream along word for word throughout their set. "Build God, Then We'll Talk" was probably the second best part of their set and an incredible highlight as well. It was awesome hearing the middle cello part they included seeing, as to me, that part makes the song. I think the band is still finding themselves onstage, but they sounded incredibly better from the two songs I got to see at the Nintendo Fusion Tour. I think as time goes and they tour more and more, they're just going to get better ... a lot better. How big will this band get? Only time can tell.
I was really pleased to see that no one really left after Panic! At The Disco and stayed for The Academy Is. Almost Here is an incredible pop-rock record which is even more intense live. I don't know what it is, but the band is dead on live and it adds a whole new element to those songs. There's a huge difference between the production and the raw intensity of their set, which makes the songs even more enjoyable to me. The band played every song you could possibly want to hear from their debut album along with two new ones. When the band was playing familiar material, William could stop singing and the crowd would pick up right where he left off. Actually, at certain parts, the crowd was so loud you could barely hear William. Either way, that guy does his part as a frontman; dancing, singing, and getting the crowd involved. The band, like I said, is dead on live. Andy, the drummer, plays fierce and hard. Adam slaps the bass and adds the groove which mold the songs. Then there is Tom and Mike who play their chords and rhythms with perfection while making sure they look like they're into it. To me, that's a huge determining factor in regards to if I like a band live or not; they have to look like they're into and feel what they've written and recorded. The Academy Is doesn't letdown in that sense at all. I must say I was really impressed with the way they performed, especially for a bigger venue.
My only complaint about the evening, aside from hellogoodbye's technical difficulties, was the fact it seemed to end so fast. Seriously, this was probably the fastest moving concert I've ever been to. Maybe it was such a fun time and I was really into all the sets? Either way, I wish it could've lasted longer. So, if you're a fan of these bands, then please make sure you go out and see this tour. You'll love every minute of it and it'll probably be some of the most fun you ever have at a show. Take your dancing shoes, though, and make sure you know all the words. Look like you want to be there and are there to have fun, because everyone else is, bands included.
Thanks to Scott, Tom and The Academy Is.