Alkaline Trio + Empty Lungs -
live @ Limelight 1, Belfast, 27/08/13
I’ve been listening to Alkaline Trio for many years now, I first discovered them through good old style MTV 2 and I’ve been a fan ever since. “We’ve Had Enough” was the tune that got my attention that day, and it still remains one of my all time favourite Alkaline songs alongside the hard-hitting ‘From Here to Infirmary’ anthems “Armageddon” and “Private Eye”.
The Chicago punk trio (for whatever reason) haven’t visited Belfast in 10 years, since their show at the original Limelight club way back in 2003. There was a lot of excitement amongst the local faithful, both old and new when the announcement heralding their return to these shores was made a few months ago.
I’d recently seen local rockers “Empty Lungs” supporting the excellent NoMeansNo in Voodoo back in May, and I was very impressed by their infectious choruses, onstage energy and a sound I found very similar to a few bands I dig such as Against Me!, The Gaslight Anthem and at times later era Anti-Flag.
Coming onstage around 7:30, the band gradually gained momentum as they ploughed through the opening songs of their set. The previously disinterested and lethargic punters actually started to twitch into life when the band eventually got into the groove. The energy levels were raised considerably when Empty Lungs put their pedal to the metal and kicked into their single “Until the Day We Die”, winning over the hard to please audience. Highlights of the set for me included the mellower ‘Long Road Home’ and ‘Stand Up’ which rounded off their enjoyable enough support set nicely. Support local talent, and make sure to check out Empty Lungs via the link at the bottom of this review!
Earlier in the day, Alkaline Trio played an intimate acoustic show in Belfast’s ‘Head’ record store on Ann Street, a lucky 100 people were able to nab a wristband, even though I tried albeit way too late, I wasn’t one of them. Surprisingly I’ve heard nothing since regarding the in store special performance, or seen any photos/ videos from the event, which was a shame as there was many fans who had no idea of how to gain entrance prior to the mystery deadline because as far as I know it wasn’t publicised anywhere.
Walking on-stage to Joy Division’s heavily emotive “Atmosphere”, Alkaline Trio entered to rapturous applause before grabbing their instruments and tearing into the magnificent “Private Eye”, the audience erupted into a mass singalong accompanying Matt Skiba’s every word and nuance. Tonight’s set covered all eras of their career, catering to fans old and new, while maintaining a steady crowd pleasing balance. Tracks from their latest album “My Shame is True” were heavily featured, including the new single “I Wanna Be A Warhol” as well as older tracks “All On Black”, “Dine Dine My Darling”, “Crawl” and the politically focused “Warbrain” and they all went down a treat. I don’t know what it was with this audience, but from the kick off they seemed reluctant to actually let loose and really enjoy themselves, there was only a small minority jumping and throwing themselves about for most of the gig. I was expecting a lot more crowd participation and rowdiness going on especially during some of the angrier more hardcore tunes.
What I love about shows by more established bands like this, is that there isn’t strictly an age range in audience or a particular scene, there was indeed fans of all ages from 18 to 50 & beyond present here tonight, standing side by side watching the same band and enjoying themselves without any crap; and the lads in Alkaline Trio are definitely aware of their wide spread appeal and do their best to appease everyone, and unfortunately they can’t play every tune the fans demand. The hard and heavy set ended with the fan favourite “Radio” which closed the the show in fine style, with the Limelight audience taking one last chance to sing their hearts out, then chanting in a failed attempt to squeeze a few more songs out of the band .
The only minor compliant I have about tonight’s set was the absence of some of the more well known songs (or “hits”) such as “We’ve Had Enough” and “Mercy Me”, but as previously mentioned I understand they’re restricted and only have so much time. Alkaline Trio definitely know how to put on a full on and energetic show, and I hope they return to Belfast very soon. The trio kept the good time quota high for the whole 19 song set and in my opinion – they definitely delivered on a balmy summer night in Belfast!
Steven Donnelly – August 2013
Rating: 8/10
Check out the bands:
Empty Lungs - https://www.facebook.com/emptylungsni
Alkaline Trio - https://www.facebook.com/alkalinetrio
The Chicago punk trio (for whatever reason) haven’t visited Belfast in 10 years, since their show at the original Limelight club way back in 2003. There was a lot of excitement amongst the local faithful, both old and new when the announcement heralding their return to these shores was made a few months ago.
I’d recently seen local rockers “Empty Lungs” supporting the excellent NoMeansNo in Voodoo back in May, and I was very impressed by their infectious choruses, onstage energy and a sound I found very similar to a few bands I dig such as Against Me!, The Gaslight Anthem and at times later era Anti-Flag.
Coming onstage around 7:30, the band gradually gained momentum as they ploughed through the opening songs of their set. The previously disinterested and lethargic punters actually started to twitch into life when the band eventually got into the groove. The energy levels were raised considerably when Empty Lungs put their pedal to the metal and kicked into their single “Until the Day We Die”, winning over the hard to please audience. Highlights of the set for me included the mellower ‘Long Road Home’ and ‘Stand Up’ which rounded off their enjoyable enough support set nicely. Support local talent, and make sure to check out Empty Lungs via the link at the bottom of this review!
Earlier in the day, Alkaline Trio played an intimate acoustic show in Belfast’s ‘Head’ record store on Ann Street, a lucky 100 people were able to nab a wristband, even though I tried albeit way too late, I wasn’t one of them. Surprisingly I’ve heard nothing since regarding the in store special performance, or seen any photos/ videos from the event, which was a shame as there was many fans who had no idea of how to gain entrance prior to the mystery deadline because as far as I know it wasn’t publicised anywhere.
Walking on-stage to Joy Division’s heavily emotive “Atmosphere”, Alkaline Trio entered to rapturous applause before grabbing their instruments and tearing into the magnificent “Private Eye”, the audience erupted into a mass singalong accompanying Matt Skiba’s every word and nuance. Tonight’s set covered all eras of their career, catering to fans old and new, while maintaining a steady crowd pleasing balance. Tracks from their latest album “My Shame is True” were heavily featured, including the new single “I Wanna Be A Warhol” as well as older tracks “All On Black”, “Dine Dine My Darling”, “Crawl” and the politically focused “Warbrain” and they all went down a treat. I don’t know what it was with this audience, but from the kick off they seemed reluctant to actually let loose and really enjoy themselves, there was only a small minority jumping and throwing themselves about for most of the gig. I was expecting a lot more crowd participation and rowdiness going on especially during some of the angrier more hardcore tunes.
What I love about shows by more established bands like this, is that there isn’t strictly an age range in audience or a particular scene, there was indeed fans of all ages from 18 to 50 & beyond present here tonight, standing side by side watching the same band and enjoying themselves without any crap; and the lads in Alkaline Trio are definitely aware of their wide spread appeal and do their best to appease everyone, and unfortunately they can’t play every tune the fans demand. The hard and heavy set ended with the fan favourite “Radio” which closed the the show in fine style, with the Limelight audience taking one last chance to sing their hearts out, then chanting in a failed attempt to squeeze a few more songs out of the band .
The only minor compliant I have about tonight’s set was the absence of some of the more well known songs (or “hits”) such as “We’ve Had Enough” and “Mercy Me”, but as previously mentioned I understand they’re restricted and only have so much time. Alkaline Trio definitely know how to put on a full on and energetic show, and I hope they return to Belfast very soon. The trio kept the good time quota high for the whole 19 song set and in my opinion – they definitely delivered on a balmy summer night in Belfast!
Steven Donnelly – August 2013
Rating: 8/10
Check out the bands:
Empty Lungs - https://www.facebook.com/emptylungsni
Alkaline Trio - https://www.facebook.com/alkalinetrio