By photojournalist Ryan Marchese
If Jannus Live had a roof, Underoath would have blown it off. Friday the 13th marked the first of four nights of performances in St. Pete by the Tampa-based metalcore band. The sold- out show celebrated the 20th year of their fourth studio album, They’re Only Chasing Safety. This was the first studio album featuring Spencer Chamberlain as the band’s replacement lead vocalist and defined what their sound would become. The album is full of fan favorites like “A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White” and “Reinventing Your Exit.”
The evening started out with opening act and close friends of Underoath, Thin Spaces, filling the night air with a melodic blend of punk and emo genres. The Tampa-based band of musical dads brought out an energy in the crowd that would continue to grow throughout the night. Following Thin Spaces, UK-based Static Dress took the stage and kicked things up a notch. Led by Olli Appleyard, the band rocked the courtyard with fast tempos, guttural screams, and killer guitar riffs. Their performance featured vocalist Jess Nyx (World of Pleasure) joining them on stage to reprise her vocals for “Courtney, Just relax.” Static Dress far surpassed my expectations going into the show and I’m very excited to see what they have in store for the future.
When the time came for Underoath to appear, the stage was transformed. Various lamps now adorned the stage complete with a couch raised back and center. The silhouette of clean voclist/drummer Aaron Gillespie appeared on the couch when a single lamp came to life in the darkness. As he began serenading the audience with “Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape,” one by one lamps lit up, illuminating his fellow bandmates. As the song progressed, gradually building towards its conclusion, smoke and strobe lights added to the atmosphere of the full band reveal.
Then, Jannus Live exploded as Underoath performed “Young and Aspiring.” In celebration, of the album’s anniversary and longevity, they played every song off the record before giving fans a sampling of tracks from the subsequent albums they’re put out. The set list included fan favorite “Writing on the Walls” off of Define the Great Line, which had everyone in the crowd belting out the lyrics back to the stage. The set even included a major throwback and rare performance of “When the Sun Sleeps.” Multiple times during their performance, Spencer went offstage and sang among the crowd. Huge circle pits broke out during their set, and some young fans even got to join the band on stage from the comfort of the couch.
Underoath has never disappointed any time I’ve seen them, but this was definitely a show to remember. The venue was packed to capacity with skinny jeans and black band tees by the time Underoath took the stage. The combination of it being the 20th anniversary of such an iconic album for the post hardcore/metalcore genre as well as wrapping up the tour in their stomping grounds, made it an extra special night to be a part of.
