eliselovesmusic
02/26/09, 01:05 AM
Vector Arena
Auckland
Feb 23rd '09
Fall Out Boy were headlining their Believers Never Die: Part Duex tour, with supporting acts Hey Monday and All American Rejects.
Hey Monday were everything you expected them to be. Not exactly amazing. They might as well have called themselves "Paramore 2.0". I have to hand it to Cassidy (lead singer) though, I was just waiting for her to be falling off notes and possibly off the stage too, but she managed to hold her own. As far as interacting with the crowd goes, there wasn't much in the way of getting the audience pumped. Cassidy did talk to us but I swear you were lucky if you saw the rest of the band take two steps to the left.
As far as the actual music goes, I had only heard of their song Homecoming, which was a crowd favourite in which Fall Out Boy made a cameo performance.The other songs were performed only with mild conviction, with simple melodies being played simply.
As for All American Rejects. What can I say? I was enthralled. Enthused. Enlivened. In love? The entire band moved like they were being chased by lightning bolts. And would you believe it - THEY SMILED! They looked like they were having the time of their lives, and the audience responded by quote "chanting louder than I'd ever heard" (Tyson Ritter being asked about the show afterwards).
Speaking of Tyson Ritter.
He pranced about the stage like a modern (and slightly gay?) Mick Jagger. His eyes widened as the songs reached crescendos, and I almost found myself squealing as I stood in awe of him saying "Hello. We are the All American Rejects and you are not!" He stood before the crowd with arms outstretched and head held high - the mosh pitters were his loyal subjects. He was almost sexual as he got the crowd got aroused with "Ooo - oh - ooos" and "Uh - ha uhs".
The guitarists never missed a note and the drums for "Move Along" were an instant crowd hit. The entire band gave it 100% and you felt like you were the only thing they cared about at that moment in time - they were dedicated to the performance.
If you get the chance, whether you like their music or not, make a point of seeing AAR live. You won't regret it.
Then we have the "leading men" who's "lies they weave are oh so intricate" (sorry, couldn't help myself).
If you haven't guessed I'm talking about Fall Out Boy.
It shouldn't be hard to work out - Fall Out Boy performances are hyped up to be amazing shows. I was anticipating Pete to be bouncing off the walls, Joe's amazing fro to be spralled across his face, Patrick to hit "that note", and Andy to be drumming his little heart out. I have to say though - I was dissapointed. The fact that FOB are one of - if not - my favourite band, just made me feel more let down.
I was expecting - and desperately praying for - at least a two hour show jam packed with Folie a Deux-ness, and all those massive pop/punk power hits that we love so dearly. I got Thnks Fr Th Mmrs as the opening song, which I thought was an interesting but good choice. This was then followed by every single they'd released, Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes, and Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown.
However.
The show was only 90 minutes long. I was craving more Folie a Deux. The band seemed tired. At a few stages, it seemed that Pete wanted to be ANYWHERE but there (possibly missing his son?). The shows they performed on this current tour in other countries had all had giant FOB signs and pyrotechnics to wow the crowd. Where were my flames? Where were my dancing teddy bears? Is New Zealand not worth of such extravaganzas?
I understand why they seemed to be lacking effort: The previous two weeks had been non-stop touring and shows every other night. But as far as I'm concerned, when you take on the role of being a performing musician, it's your duty to your fans to give it your all every single night without fail.
I was impressed by Patrick and Andy - Andy lived up to his good name, and Patrick was effortlessly charming as he bantered about Mad Max. Like I said, Pete seemed a bit zoned out, and Joe - arguably the biggest show man of the group - seemed almost like he couldn't car less about the kiwi crowd. At one point he walked to the edge of the stage and pushed his guitar to the side and sighed.
All said, it was still a buzz to see FOB in front of me, and I am willing to give them a second chance. Musically they were completely on par, save for the set list being totally in their comfort zone.
Highlights were Joe doing his signature move Trohmania (although he did only do it once :-/ ), a fantastic rock cover of American Boy, and Patrick singing Lullaby - although he does need to work on his diction when singing this song.
My overall statement to end this rather uncharicteristically pessimistic review is this: Hey Monday were nothing to get excited about, although made for a decent opening act - but nothing more than that. All American Rejects were bordering on outshining Fall Out Boy and deserve their own headlining tour. Fall Out Boy let me down. Would I see them live again? Yes. Would my expectations of them be higher than ever? Hell yes. But do I still love this band? Of course :)
Auckland
Feb 23rd '09
Fall Out Boy were headlining their Believers Never Die: Part Duex tour, with supporting acts Hey Monday and All American Rejects.
Hey Monday were everything you expected them to be. Not exactly amazing. They might as well have called themselves "Paramore 2.0". I have to hand it to Cassidy (lead singer) though, I was just waiting for her to be falling off notes and possibly off the stage too, but she managed to hold her own. As far as interacting with the crowd goes, there wasn't much in the way of getting the audience pumped. Cassidy did talk to us but I swear you were lucky if you saw the rest of the band take two steps to the left.
As far as the actual music goes, I had only heard of their song Homecoming, which was a crowd favourite in which Fall Out Boy made a cameo performance.The other songs were performed only with mild conviction, with simple melodies being played simply.
As for All American Rejects. What can I say? I was enthralled. Enthused. Enlivened. In love? The entire band moved like they were being chased by lightning bolts. And would you believe it - THEY SMILED! They looked like they were having the time of their lives, and the audience responded by quote "chanting louder than I'd ever heard" (Tyson Ritter being asked about the show afterwards).
Speaking of Tyson Ritter.
He pranced about the stage like a modern (and slightly gay?) Mick Jagger. His eyes widened as the songs reached crescendos, and I almost found myself squealing as I stood in awe of him saying "Hello. We are the All American Rejects and you are not!" He stood before the crowd with arms outstretched and head held high - the mosh pitters were his loyal subjects. He was almost sexual as he got the crowd got aroused with "Ooo - oh - ooos" and "Uh - ha uhs".
The guitarists never missed a note and the drums for "Move Along" were an instant crowd hit. The entire band gave it 100% and you felt like you were the only thing they cared about at that moment in time - they were dedicated to the performance.
If you get the chance, whether you like their music or not, make a point of seeing AAR live. You won't regret it.
Then we have the "leading men" who's "lies they weave are oh so intricate" (sorry, couldn't help myself).
If you haven't guessed I'm talking about Fall Out Boy.
It shouldn't be hard to work out - Fall Out Boy performances are hyped up to be amazing shows. I was anticipating Pete to be bouncing off the walls, Joe's amazing fro to be spralled across his face, Patrick to hit "that note", and Andy to be drumming his little heart out. I have to say though - I was dissapointed. The fact that FOB are one of - if not - my favourite band, just made me feel more let down.
I was expecting - and desperately praying for - at least a two hour show jam packed with Folie a Deux-ness, and all those massive pop/punk power hits that we love so dearly. I got Thnks Fr Th Mmrs as the opening song, which I thought was an interesting but good choice. This was then followed by every single they'd released, Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes, and Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown.
However.
The show was only 90 minutes long. I was craving more Folie a Deux. The band seemed tired. At a few stages, it seemed that Pete wanted to be ANYWHERE but there (possibly missing his son?). The shows they performed on this current tour in other countries had all had giant FOB signs and pyrotechnics to wow the crowd. Where were my flames? Where were my dancing teddy bears? Is New Zealand not worth of such extravaganzas?
I understand why they seemed to be lacking effort: The previous two weeks had been non-stop touring and shows every other night. But as far as I'm concerned, when you take on the role of being a performing musician, it's your duty to your fans to give it your all every single night without fail.
I was impressed by Patrick and Andy - Andy lived up to his good name, and Patrick was effortlessly charming as he bantered about Mad Max. Like I said, Pete seemed a bit zoned out, and Joe - arguably the biggest show man of the group - seemed almost like he couldn't car less about the kiwi crowd. At one point he walked to the edge of the stage and pushed his guitar to the side and sighed.
All said, it was still a buzz to see FOB in front of me, and I am willing to give them a second chance. Musically they were completely on par, save for the set list being totally in their comfort zone.
Highlights were Joe doing his signature move Trohmania (although he did only do it once :-/ ), a fantastic rock cover of American Boy, and Patrick singing Lullaby - although he does need to work on his diction when singing this song.
My overall statement to end this rather uncharicteristically pessimistic review is this: Hey Monday were nothing to get excited about, although made for a decent opening act - but nothing more than that. All American Rejects were bordering on outshining Fall Out Boy and deserve their own headlining tour. Fall Out Boy let me down. Would I see them live again? Yes. Would my expectations of them be higher than ever? Hell yes. But do I still love this band? Of course :)