[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I’ve rocked up to Manning Bar a little early and people are scattered outside the venue on grass and stairs. It’s a balmy night in Sydney, and I figure being from Las Vegas, Escape The Fate are probably feeling quite at home right now. It’s been almost a decade to the day since the 4-piece released their highly successful debut album Dying Is Your Latest Fashion. It’s been five years since their last headlining show in Australia, and with two more LPs and a couple of line-up changes under their belt, I’m wondering what kind of a night we’re in for.
As the doors finally open an excited fan turns to me and eagerly presents his phone to show me a live feed of the headliners backstage. Another guy shows me an image of last night’s set list which looks varied and the catalyst for a good night. It seems Escape The Fate’s return to Aus couldn’t have come soon enough.
We mill into the room, and I grab a drink before taking a prime position at the barrier. Sienna Skies launch into their first song like a force to be reckoned with. These guys have been around the traps for quite a while, and they know how to put on a show.
The venue seems to be having some technical difficulties turning off the house lights, but despite Manning Bar being lit like an awkward high school disco, the boys jump round the stage giving 110% like professionals. Their first and last songs of the evening are highlights and well placed in the set. Sienna Skies were a great start to the night.
Dream on Dreamer hit the stage with massive impact. As they open with The World in Front of Me, it’s evident the boys have had extensive overseas touring experience. They are not only tight players but great performers. Vocalist Marcel Gadacz is immediately striking as a frontman, and guitarist Zachary Britt is also a standout, attributing clean vocals that are flawless and refreshingly heartfelt.
Britt’s presence also adds a touch of old school rock n’ roll aided by a strategically placed Jack Daniels bottle on top of his amp. The rock n’ roll continues as Gadacz smashes his lip with the mic three songs in and bleeds like it’s not even a thing. It’s no wonder Dream on Dreamer were handpicked to accompany Escape The Fate on all the Aussie dates. They are one of those bands that are at their best in a live setting and deserve to have much more success into the future.
The curtains are closed, but we don’t have to wait long for the headliners and stars of the night, to appear. Escape The Fate open with Just a Memory, the first track off their new album and it goes off. They power through Remember Every Scar before hitting us with an older track, 10 Miles Wide. At this point guitarist, Thrasher Gruft jerks off a water bottle into the crowd which drenches the first five rows. It’s clear which of the bands on this bill hail from Vegas.
Escape The Fate play loud, real loud. For some reason, their softer songs are louder than their heavier numbers but maybe it was because the crowd was singing so much. They’re not only one of the loudest bands I’ve seen in a while but also one of the tightest. A lot of this has to do with the drummer, Robert Ortiz, a founding member whose rock-influenced playing is the backbone of their music.
As we had earlier anticipated, the set is indeed diverse and features tunes from every album. Everyone dances through Gorgeous Nightmare, and the performance of My Chemical Romance’s tune, Dead, is the stuff teenage dreams are made of. The set is capped off with This War Is Ours, and the lights fade for a moment before an epic guitar solo and the introduction of Paradise City – a rad tribute to their idols, Guns n’ Roses.
As Escape The Fate launch into encore, Situations, I can’t help but reflect on a flawless set. Craig Mabbit’s vocals couldn’t be faulted, which to be honest was a surprise to me as I wasn’t that impressed with them the first time I saw them. The duel screams and backings from both guitarists and their bassists added another dimension as well.
But above all else, each band member appeared to be having the time of their lives. They gallivanted around stage gesturing to each other with smiles from ear to ear and tongues from mouth to chin. I’m not kidding; They could all very well be the spawn of Gene Simmons. Manning Bar is nowhere near the biggest venue Escape The Fate have played, but their appreciation for their audience is extremely evident, and they all made a special effort to high-five and connect with the crowd. This is truly satisfying to witness, especially after ten years together. Now let’s hope it won’t be another five years until they return.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1475903239493-a7e61ad6-4f08-4″ include=”38161,38148,38147,38146,38145,38144,38142,38141,38140,38138,38137,38135,38134,38133,38132,38131,38130,38129,38128,38127,38126,38125,38124,38123,38122,38121,38120,38119,38118,38117,38116,38115,38114,38113,38112,38111,38110,38109,38108,38106,38158,38157,38156,38155,38154,38153,38152,38151,38150,38149″][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
