CONCERT REVIEW: Renewed Alexisonfire Rocks Edmonton
The pit was packed for Alexisonfire in Edmonton – but keep your hats to yourself!
That was just one of the messages from this very accessible Canadian post-hardcore band, which played Rogers Place Wednesday night – just two months after its singer Dallas Green was in same building with City and Colour.
While their initial albums fell more to the progressive rock side, the harmonies of Green help make sure there is something on offer for everyone. There’s a familiar recipe for an Alexisonfire song. It has thoughtful, moody lyrics, sophisticated melodies, and a well-enunciated AHHH! at the beginning of lead singer George Pettit’s vocals. The dulcet emo tones of Green’s voice merges with scream-hardcore Pettit in a way they themselves described as “the sound of two Catholic high school girls in mid-knife fight.”
The comparison to high school may be apt. This band has had more on-again, off-again clashes than most teenage friendships. They broke up in 2012, got back together in 2015, only to be on a break again. They’re currently back together again, including Green; they’ve even released three new singles.
These two singers have such different energy. Pettit is a marvel of a man: impressive vocals wrapped up in a dad bod. He looks a bit like a lawyer walking around in his casual weekend clothes, but still has the same vocal qualities that defined their early work.
Initially the audience was mellower than City and Colour’s stop here in November. Rowdy at an emo show and chill at a rock show. Who can figure you out, Edmonton? However, the third song, Boiled Frogs, from their 2006 album Crisis really warmed the crowd up. Pettit didn’t lose his shirt until about the fifth song.
The arena venue made more sense for this post-hardcore band. The bowl was not sold-out, but the mosh pit was packed all night.
They played some much loved favourites from Crisis including This Could Be Anywhere in the World, and We are the Sound. The concert sampled everything from the band’s repertoire. Also included were Old Crows, .44 Caliber Love Letter, The Northern, Rough Hands, and Happiness By the Kilowatt. The band’s newly released single, Season of the Flood, was the encore.
The best line of the night came after Pettit apparently got annoyed at people throwing their ball caps on stage. He thanked the crowd for coming out and supporting the band. Then he yelled, “I don’t want your fucking hats! Stop throwing your hats at me! This is about the music.”
