Posted on November 26, 2009 - by Editor

Rise Against+ Thursday + Poison The Well

Rise Against © Imelda Michalczyk

Brixton Academy
London, UK
Saturday 21st November 2009

I was lucky enough to catch both Thursday and Rise Against play earlier in the year in Belgium at Groezrock, and narrowly missed them playing together in the US, so was more than happy to snag passes for Rise Against’s biggest headlining show to date in London.

It was whilst accompanying a friend in the queue for the gig, on a wet but balmy autumn’s eve that the sheer size of the show hit me, the line snaking around the not so small Brixton Academy building.

On entering the venue, Poison The Well, a band I had not seen before nor a big fan of, just not my thing, were banging away with their post hardcore aggressive sound and although the place was by no means sparse, it wasn’t rammed yet either. The crowd on first inspection looked pretty young too, but the ones down the front seemed to be having a great time. The Florida five piece certainly have seen their fair share of lineup changes, but the crowd was pretty captivated and the band energetic, working their way across the large stage. Like I say, post hardcore is really not a generic sound I enjoy much.

Thursday was next on, and as the Academy continued to fill, it became increasingly muggy and warm. After having

Thursday's Geoff Rickly © Imelda Michalczyk

really impressed me earlier in the year with their energy and front man Geoff Ricklys amazing vocal range and stage antics (akin to Taking Back Sundays Adam Lazzara camp performances), they do a good job of warming up the already sizzled crowd. They get a great reception with Tim Mcllrath joining them for one song. I’m, again, not a massive fan of the bands post hardcore sound, although they are far more complex and intelligent than that throw away comment implies. Sadly I can’t expand too much on what they did and didn’t play, but they don’t ignite things or stoke as much fire in my belly as their previous performance but fans in the crowd, and there were plenty of them, eye covering fringes and all, seemed stoked with the show.

Rise against, with two massive screens and backdrop logo keeping the crowd at bay between the obligatory band changes,  build up the excitement and buzz as the Brixton reached capacity. I have been fortunate enough to see the Chicago punks play a number of times, not quite in the early  Fat Wreck days, but their rocket ride to commercial success despite their strong anti war, vegan, straight edge and PETA supporting stance still remains a pleasant surprise. Having courted such respected punk/indie labels as Asian Man and Fat Wreck Chords before their shift to commercial label Universal has not seen the band feel the punk communities backlash of ‘selling out’.  They have stuck largely to their roots and ethics and appreciative of the fans and individuals  that helped them along the way, and in fact have grown stronger and more outspoken with their enlarged global fan base.

The band enter the stage and to the backdrop of the afore mentioned TV images, flashing clips of news broadcasts and war, start off with “Collapse (post Amerika)” before venturing to some older material with “State if the Union”. The sound, which for me is notoriously average at this venue and been suffering all night despite the respective bands best efforts, falters again at the beginning of the set with the vocals unclear and it takes 30-45 seconds into songs to partially rectify and make the songs more recognizable. The crowd by now is frenzied and with arms and lungs pumping and expanding, circle pits soon engulf the floor.

Rise Against © Imelda Michalczyk

Highly energetic and visually captivating Rise Against just don’t disappoint; their songs as with all great bands, are simply too good to falter live, but the passion of the guys rubs off on all who are lucky enough to witness them creating a fun, frenetic and emotional atmosphere,

Playing through their collection of records with songs such as “Paper Wings” and “Survive” before hitting a mini crescendo and ultimately unsurprising double acoustic set of “Swing Life Away” and “Hero of War” which truly are a lump in throat and emotionally sobering few minutes.

The band left the stage to return to an encore including “Dancing For Rain”, crowd favorite and raucous “Give It All” and “Ready To Fail”. Yes there were many beers, and average sound, but this was truly one of my favorite shows of the year, and I don’t say that lightly as it’s been a special year. Rise Against somehow, still captivate the imagination, whilst playing fast, melodic and meaningful punk rock, and are one of the most important mouthpiece bands around today. When you can, and you will, catch them in a town near you. You owe it to yourself and them.

Set list (unconfirmed):
Collapse (Post Amerika), State of the Union, Paper Wings, The Dirt Whispered, Behind Closed Doors, Re-Education (Through Labour), Audience of One, Long Forgotten Sons, The Strength to Go On, Saviour, Survive, The Prayer of the Refugee, Swing Life Away, Hero of War, Dancing For Rain, Give It All, Ready to Fall

Rise Against © Imelda Michalczyk