Escape the Fate hit Whelan’s on Tuesday 2nd July and I think my ears are still ringing two days later.
As soon as they started you’d be mistaken for thinking there was a subway under the venue, and if I were the owner I’d check for some structural damage, just in case.
From as soon as the Las Vegas five piece walked out onto the stage, that was it.
They exploded into their set and didn’t stop the whole way through, except for when singer Craig Mabbitt disappeared from the stage only to reemerge upstairs singing behind some fans who were still looking for him downstairs.
He then proceeded to climb over the balcony and leap off, to be caught by the crowd and carried back to the stage.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this band who have been playing and recording for about 20 years now, as when I first heard of them they were more emo than I’d usually listen to, and then after various member ‘changes’ I kinda lost track of them, but it seems over the years it wasn’t just the lineup that evolved.
Their set ranged from catchy melody driven ‘emo’ songs to pure hardcore screamo, and it showed both the maturity in each member and also their diverse range and appeal.
No wonder the crowd ranged from teenagers taking sneaky sips of hip flasks at the stage to fans as mature as the bands sound towards the back.
If a band like this can put on a show like that in a venue like Whelans, I’d love to see what they could do in a bigger one.
If they ever return, get a ticket.
Escape the Fate photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Forgive Me
The Flood
Lightning Strike
Live Fast, Die Beautiful
Ungrateful
Low
H8 MY SELF
Gorgeous Nightmare
Dearly Departed
10 Miles Wide
Ashley
Broken Heart
(Matti Shred Sesh)
Encore:
This War Is Ours
Cheers to Goodbye
One for the Money
Words & photos – David McEneanery @experimentzero