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*CREDIT THE PHOTOGRAPHER IF IMAGES USED, PLEASE! NO EDITING/REMOVAL OF WATERMARK(S)*
*CREDIT THE PHOTOGRAPHER IF IMAGES USED, PLEASE! NO EDITING/REMOVAL OF WATERMARK(S)*
Alex Gaskarth, All Time Low - photo by Kayla J Pennell
The return of All Time Low to Norwich after seven years. Following the high of an arena tour, nobody would have suspected them to dial it back to these intimate venues, but we’re overjoyed that they did. With the venue small and the energy high, the openers were Waterparks and SWMRS followed by pop punk legends All Time Low, rocked the sold out show at the LCR, Norwich.
Awsten Knight, Waterparks - photo by Kayla J Pennell
As soon as the lights dimmed and Waterparks appeared on stage I could tell by the feeling radiating from the crowd that this would be one of the best shows that I've ever attended. The Texas formed group opened with 'Made in America' and instantly had the crowd moving with their upbeat tracks. The band’s chemistry and witty remarks from front man, Awsten Knight, kept the crowd energized and ready for the next pop punk hit - with a venue a small as the LCR you could feel the energy and bass bouncing off the walls and through your bones. Guitarist, Geoff Wigington, and Knight maintained the insane energy throughout the show - constantly moving, spinning, and jumping. Although their set was short Waterparks well and truly hyped up the crowd, they're definitely a band to look out for.
Cole Becker, SWMRS - Photo by Kayla J Pennell
SWMRS followed shortly after with an amazing performance to say the least. During their second song, front man Cole Becker leapt into the awaiting hands, relying on the crowd to keep him up as he shredded to their song 'BRB'. The punk edge to SWMRS was reflected in the crowd’s response of moshing throughout their entire set, including their song Miley, dedicated to “someone we all know” aka Miley Cyrus their “punk rock queen.” SWMRS are a band that encompasses the true soul of the punk agenda; self-expression and individual freedom. Before their final song, Becker parted wisdom to the crowd that if there’s one thing to take away from the show, it’s that “rock and roll won't solve your problems, but it will help you figure them out." Nearing the end of the set Becker bigged up All Time Low and the screams increased as Jack Barakat (All Time Low's guitarist) came out and kissed Becker before declaring him as his best friend. They exited the stage to a roaring applause, anyone who didn’t know, would have thought that these guys were the main act tonight.
Finally after two absolutely, insane opening acts, All Time Low made their way onto the stage, bursting out to flashes of purple and strobe lighting with ‘Kicking and Screaming.’ The mosh pits began instantly and continued through their entire set, which consisted of some of the classics such as 'Weightless,’ 'Backseat Serenade’ and 'Lost in Stereo.’ However, they also dusted off some of the lesser played live tracks in recent years such as 'Canals,’ 'Guts,' and 'Six Feet Under the Stars’. Between these lesser played songs All Time Low sandwiched the hit singles ‘Kids in the Dark’ and ‘Something’s Gotta Give,’ from their last record Future Hearts. Following that they played ‘Dirty Laundry,’ the first single from their highly anticipated, upcoming album Last Young Renegade (due out June 2nd, 2017); establishing a connection between themselves and newer fans.
As always the All Time Low boys were super interactive with the crowd; throwing picks and water bottles into fan's reaching hands and high-fiving a lucky few. Alex Gaskarth (lead singer/guitar player/front man) even took a photo of himself and the crowd on someone’s disposable camera. The sincerity of Alex showing that he truly cares for the fans, as he reminds everyone to take care of each other in the madness of the pit, was balanced by the classic All Time Low banter and the collection of bras draping from Jack’s mic stand; one particularly caught his attention, written on it was “I love Tom Falcone”, in which Jack questioned, “I love Tom Falcone, really? Who wrote this, is this some kind of sick joke?”
There were joking chants for 'Wonder Wall' as Alex broke out the acoustic guitar which then changed into a more serious chant for 'Jasey Rae', Gaskarth brushed it off with a comment about how management would bend him over and spank him if he didn't stick to the set list. With that said he began playing ‘Missing You’, in which the rest of the band sat at the back of the stage, Jack munching on some gummy sweets until they all joined in to finish the song. The atmosphere didn't stay emotional for long, despite Jack deciding to sit down throughout some of “A Love Like War”, the crowd became more physical and provided an abundance of energy for them to bounce off. As the set progressed the songs became more intense, the lights went crazy as the fast-paced guitar and drums bought the energy to an all-time high. The show ended with the encore of ‘Lost in Stereo’ and a wave of crowd surfers to the closing tradition of ‘Dear Maria’, confetti raining down on the crowd below. With a performance like this, All Time Low can sure as hell count me in for their next UK Tour.
Alex Gaskarth, All Time Low - photo by Kayla J Pennell
Zack Merrick, All Time Low - photo by Kayla J Pennell
Rian Dawson, All Time Low - photo by Kayla J Pennell
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