Bayside has been touring for over 24 years, and Baltimore is always a stop on their list. "The Worse Things Than Being Alive Tour" brought with them Finch, Armor For Sleep, and newcomers Winona Fighter.
Up first was Nashville based Winona Fighter (very clever). Led by Front-woman Coco, lead guitar Dan Fuson, and Bassist Austin Luther. They easily won the crowd over and got them rowdy with their high energy punk rock sound and Coco's antics. From jumping around, kicking, yelling into an airhorn during the song "Wlbrn St. Tvrn," and laying on the floor, it was a great way to kick off the night. I can definitely see them moving up in the ranks for another tour, as I quickly became a new fan of theirs. They recently signed to Rise Records and released their label debut "I'm In the Market to Please No One," which is also a favorite of mine.
Before their set was over, they surprised the crowd by covering Offspring's "Self-Esteem," and it was an epic sing-along. Check them out: https://winonafighter.com/ , on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Up next was Armor For Sleep, another band familiar to Ram's Head Live. They were here twice last year; March with Hawthorne Heights on a co-headline tour, and November with The Early November and The Spill Canvas (both shows which I also got the opportunity to cover). From New Jersey, their American Rock sound started in 2001 with a brief hiatus in 2007. The band announced their disbandment in October 2009, only reuniting briefly for tours in 2012 and 2015. They officially reunited in 2020 and released a new album in September 2022. Their current lineup consisting of lead vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Ben Jorgensen, lead guitarist PJ DeCicco, bassist Anthony DiIonno and drummer Nash Breen. I am one fan out of many that I'm sure is happy Armor for Sleep decided to reunite and keep playing.
Celebrating 20 years last year, they kept the crowd going with songs like "Remember To Feel Real," "Williamsburg," one of my all-time favorites "The Truth About Heaven," and closed with "Car Underwater."
Third on stage was Finch, and I really regret not catching them live before this show; a perfect mix of post-hardcore and alternative rock is definitely a reason to make sure you have your earbuds in. The crowd went insane for them and Bayside, from start to finish. Finch is an American post-hardcore band from Temecula, California. The band is best known for their single "What It Is to Burn" from the album of the same name.
Their stage presence and production was on point as they sang all of the crowd favorites like "Letters To You," "Post Script," "New Beginnings," "Stay With Me," and closed with my favorite "What It Is To Burn." The crowd kept swaying back and forth as the mosh pit was alive for these guys.
Finally it was Bayside's turn. The stage was dark as "My Way" by Frank Sinatra came on, and after a minute or so, the crowd lit up as the guys made their way on stage opening up with "Pigsty." It was a 19 song setlist with an encore consisting of two fan favorites, so 21 smashes in total contributing to an already unforgettable night and, even so, the crowd still begged for a second encore.
Midway through the set, Bayside thanked the fans for the love and support over the years, and decided to give us a little history lesson of their time spent in Maryland. One of their first shows played in Maryland was at Ottobar, and they also recorded "Sirens" and "Condolences" in College Park, Maryland which isn't too far from Baltimore.
As I was making my way around the venue snapping photos, I was constantly getting bumped into, my gear stayed safe but there wasn't an inch of the room left unattended in the concert hall. It was a packed house, stuffed with fans new and old losing themselves in the enjoyment of the music, as was I. After the show, I was talking to some friends of mine who were also there. One said she loves the transition from "Already Gone," to "They're Not Horses, They're Unicorns," and I was in agreeance with her. We also loved the choice in encore songs "The Devils," and "Devotions and Desire." I'm sure all of us who were there that night are already looking forward to the next time these guys grace us with another amazing lineup and setlist.
Comments