by Stefny! At the Disco
Tuesday, September 9, was a legendary night for rock and roll in Austin, TX. Foxing, Taking Back Sunday, and Coheed and Cambria graced the stage at Moody Amphitheater.
Unfortunately due to my work schedule, I missed Foxing (although I did hear the last two songs while I was waiting to pick up my tickets), but luckily our amazing photographer Erik Casarez was able to provide a bit about their set.
Fourth-wave emo really snuck up on me in the 2010s. I spent the majority of that decade catching up with the twinkly guitars of Algernon Cadwallader and the self-deprecating, dry vocals of Modern Baseball, that I habitually mixed up Foxing and Snowing. A minute into Foxing’s set, I realized I would never mix them up again. Foxing play with the type of somber aggression that Deftones have cultivated over the past three decades; they go from 0 to 100 on a whim and aren’t afraid to let their expressive side show. They transcend fourth-wave emo into new waves of post hardcore and post rock. Guitarist/back-up vocalist Eric Hudson said it best when introducing their third song, “If you don’t like screaming, you won’t like this song.” They are unapologetically there to rock your face off. -Erik Casarez
Next up was Taking Back Sunday with an epic, career-spanning 16-song set. Unfortunately, founding member John Nolan was not able to be there due to spinal fusion surgery (get well soon, John!!) but we were all pleasantly surprised by his temporary replacement – FRED MASCHERINO!
If you’re unfamiliar with the lore of TBS, there was a lineup change in the mid-2000s that saw many of the original members leave the band (John and Shaun went on to form Straylight Run) and a new crew take the reins. The new foil to lead singer Adam Lazarra became Fred (previously of Breaking Pangea). Fred left TBS in 2007, pursuing solo projects and producing, and this was his first return to the stage with the band since!
Now, despite my love for and history with this band, I do have to be brutally honest (this is a review, after all). Adam… did not sound good. When I saw them two years ago, I alluded to the fact that I had heard bad things about their live show. While I did not agree then, I get it now.
The band looked and sounded excellent. Adam, however, was kinda doing his own thing. He was singing to the beat of his own drum, not that of Mitchell Register. He wasn’t always necessarily in the right key, either.
While he may not have sounded great, he is undeniably an excellent showman. 25 years later, he’s still out here swinging mics like nobody’s business and dancing and obviously having the time of his life.
Headlining was, of course, Coheed and Cambria. I’ve somehow gone my entire life without seeing Coheed, despite the fact that “A Favor House Atlantic” went triple platinum among my friends in high school.
They absolutely blew me away. I’ve seen a LOT of bands in my life. A lot. And Coheed absolutely has to be one of the hardest working, hardest performing that I’ve ever seen.
Their set also included 16 songs (including the encore) and a huge stage prop of their mascot (?) Blind Side Sonny.
When they reappeared for their encore with the ballad “Corner My Confidence,” Claudio emerged with his hair in pigtails and knotted under his chin. It didn’t last, but it made me laugh during the heartfelt tune.
They ended with “Welcome Home” from their 2005 record Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness, as well as the games Rock Band and Madden 06. This 6-minute epic has to be one of the top 5 rock songs of all time. *Kanye voice*
Being a part of this performance was almost a religious experience. I’ve always been the type of person who can get lost inside of music, and this was certainly one that I didn’t want to end.