Words & photo gallery by: JD Punisher
Sunday gigs just hit different. A last-ditch effort to get that final little bit of epicness into your weekend. Today however, is a gig of pure brilliance (well, for us old folks anyways), The Amity Affliction are about to tear every bit of Miami Marketta to shreds in a Sunday Matinee madness. For us early punters, avoiding the rain was not an easy task, but to Miami Marketta’s credit, the staff did their best to keep us dry, yet sufficiently hydrated by opening up the side bar for us as we awaited the 3:30PM door time. Thanks legends, we are all grateful for this.
For a band as young as Headwreck to make waves so huge in the scene speaks volumes of their ability, stage presence and creative prowess. It’s been said in countless reviews, but this IS a band to keep on your radar. After a fleeting trip to St. Kilda beach for Polaris’ mini fest Life’s A Beach the day before and then giving us such a powerful set to open todays show, there is only brilliant things on the horizon for this Brisbane quartet. I personally am damn excited to see what is next for this band. Keep slayin’ it lads, you’re going to be hitting international tours in no time.
RedHook, high energy, positive vibes and some of the best hooks in the nu-metal scene (total pun intended). You know when you’ve been to a RedHook show, whether you’ve been in the thick of the pit, vibing at the back of the crowd, or had Emmy Mack screaming in your face on the barrier, its all-inclusive, all engrossing mayhem. And you know what? Theres no better feeling. Giving us a setlist laced with everything you want to hear, it’s a blink and you miss it show as not only to we have costume changes from Emmy, but bassist Ned Jankovic looks like he couldn’t be having more fun upon the stage, running back and forth and playing it up for us photographers, there isn’t a place on this stage that isn’t worth capturing. See you at the next RedHook show, legends.
In Hearts Wake are a band I’ve never had the privilege to catch, but today, that changes. Killswitch Engage may have been the first metal band to destroy the walls of Miami Marketta, but In Hearts Wake are here to lay the place to rubble. Front man Jake Taylor speaks to the crowd between songs with such passion and ferocity that you can easily see how the band writes such incredible lyrics. With Jake at the helm, the future of metal is safe and sound. Absolutely crushing every second of their 40-minute set, I really hope its not too long before I get to catch these guys once more. Every bit of energy and emotion can be felt throughout the venue as they deliver a massive setlist. If this was the closest they get to a hometown show on this tour, then I’m damn happy that this was my first time seeing them live. Next time, I hope I can catch a hometown show to see just how much more they put into it.
Amity. How the hell am I supposed to write a review of one of the most influential Aussie metalcore bands on the planet. From their humble beginnings in 2003 in the small Queensland town of Gympie, to absolutely dominating world stages, these boys have done us proud, and they are far from done yet. With new bassist Jonny Reeves firmly in the mix, it’s time for The Amity Affliction 2.0 to show how much more they have in the tank. Now, I’m not going to draw comparisons to his predecessor, as he is not here to emulate him and is a standout musician in his own right. So, with that said, hearing TAA songs with his cleans is next level. Adding his own style to these iconic tunes is incredible. Can’t wait to hear the new album lads, its going to be killer.
Kicking the set off with Kickboxer (fitting, I know) and then following it with Like Love was a master move. Adding Drag The Lake to the opening three just hit everyone in the feels and drove everyone in the venue to sing along at the top of their lungs. Incredible to say the least. Now, for a band that’s been at it for 20+ years, they have a massive back catalogue, and getting through everything, to give every person maximum bang for their buck was never going to be an easy feat, but Amity are masters of fan service. 10 albums! Ten…..fucking……albums, they drew from and let me tell you, when you have a whole venue screaming All Fucked Up, you can guarantee that the hipsters that bought houses close to the venue are more than pissed off at the ruckus that is being caused tonight (fyi, research where you buy, and don’t EVER complain there’s a live music venue in the immediate vicinity).
The end of the set is awash with the classics, with the new tracks getting early to mid-set slots, and everyone here could not be happier. Youngbloods, Death’s Hand and Soak Me In Bleach rounds out the main setlist and it’s not too long until we get an encore of epic proportions, delivered in the form of Pittsburgh. An iconic song, to round out an equally iconic show.
With every bit of my body hurting, ears ringing and so many memories forged, and this old man managing to get back home before the kids went to bed, I say give me more early Sunday night gigs. With that said though, Amity delivered quite possibly the gig of the year. if you’re sitting on the fence on getting a ticket for an upcoming show, then commit now to avoid disappointment. You will have zero regrets.
PHOTO GALLERY
