Remember when they soundtracked our ‘stupid kid’ days? We would never take back every word we said because Alkaline Trio, we still love you. Celebrating their roots of unbridled energy with a new album, we welcomed to the stage…
ALKALINE TRIO
It wouldn’t be too far from the truth when we say that blood, hair and eyeballs – sorry, blood, sweat and tears – were shed on the floor tonight. Chicago carnage is at full throttle for this midweek slot. Their tenth album is aptly titled for this undiluted, fully concentrated concoction of a show. We’re given our first taste of the punk-aid in the form of LOWLIVES. They pack a punch with every kickdrum and add that zest of a bassline with every pluck, yet their grungy undertones are the perfect blend to get us warmed up.
‘Warmed up’ is an understatement. Between the sacrificial haze of the stage lights and that opening whirlpool of noizzze, you could say we are Hot For Preacher. Alkaline Trio take to the stage donned in suits, an air of ceremonious delight and riff-inducing fright; it’s scarily impressive how quickly our crowd surfers emerge from the depths of the pit. Although the security may be over our antics already, We’ve Had Enough steers us further into plosive paranoia. You truly don’t have to move your feet to this one. The floorboards themselves are buzzin’ and bouncin’ under the weight of the crowd’s sweaty antics.
“This song is about the opposite of what we’re having right now!” Bassist Dan Adriano hollers over the chants of “Trio! Trio! Trio!” to introduce Bad Time and boy is he right! Emblazoned by the gentle hues of pink strobes and their skull and heart graphic to sober our woes, this room is alive. Their angst-ridden prophecies of the noughties are echoing throughout the psyche of the people and reverberating back onto that stage. It’s a beautiful cycle of pure appreciation.
“Holy cow is this really happening?! What day of the week is it? It feels like a Saturday – it doesn’t even matter! You look fantastic, you sound incredible!”
One Hundred Stories into Calling All Skeletons… Break into Armageddon… the band are inducing a medley of sorts when it comes to their setlist, in the sense that we don’t stop clapping once. Matt Skiba’s occasional “Let’s keep it going!” between every guitar screeching interval is layered with mischievous nostalgia. That, and the layers of lager flying over our heads.
Delivering their usual darkness flavoured by surreal humour, we are truly welcomed home and greeted like an old friend tonight. Comarderie nuanced in musicality, Alkaline Trio’s setlist is a masterclass in punk rock epitomised by their biggest hit Stupid Kid. “We’re beginning to lose count, we always seem to be coming back here,” Skiba jokes. Yet as that opening bell toll is drowned out by the sheer screams, it rings true just how ardent their fans are for the band. “Thank you for welcoming us! It’s always a treat to be here in Rock City!”
ALKALINE TRIO PERFORMED TUESDAY 23RD JULY
WORDS: TALIA ROBINSON
ROCK CITY NOTTINGHAM
We’re not only Nottingham’s favourite venue and nightclub – we’re the UK’s best live venue with a rich history of performers that have played here. We were thrilled to have Alkaline Trio on our stage again!
Also while you’re at it, why not check out our gig guide and see if any other of your favourite artists like Alkaline Trio are playing soon! We also have our club nights on a Thursday (Tuned), Friday (Get Lucky) and Saturday (Rebel Rebel) so check those out too!
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