Review of AFI at the Chance Theatre in Poughkeepsie, NY on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, exclusive photos below!
The Chance Theatre is a grungy classic theater-turned-concert hall in downtown Poughkeepsie, NY – just about the last place I’d ever expect to see AFI (A Fire Inside). But that’s where I found myself last Wednesday, shivering in the brisk cold, awaiting their sold-out show.
The theater is a venue that has seen its best days past – but if you take the time to look at the ceiling and walls (past the leftover sheen of paint parties) the older architecture and modeling are quite impressive. Being relatively shallow, with a lowered pit area and overhanging balcony, there are plenty of spots to catch a good view of the stage. Openers Coming were a young aggressive LA punk band, with some catchy tunes, though plenty of room for growth. Industrial duo Youth Code followed, and unfortunately, had multiple technical difficulties; despite having some catchy beats, I quickly lost interest given their screechy vocals and juvenile attitude. Ultimately, both openers were a bit disappointing and did not impress the crowd.
Upon their stage time, AFI delayed just long enough for an anxious, palatable energy to fill the room. The stage dimmed, with a long slow fade-in of eerie, haunting calls (as found in the intro of their song “I Hope You Suffer”) graping the crowd’s complete attention, heightening tension to a peak as the band took stage, launching into their set with “The Leaving Song, Pt. II.” Having seen the band multiple times before, I was still staggered by the sheer wave of energy and the utter control that they bring to their performances.
One of my favorite aspects about the band is that they each stand out in their own way, both with musicianship and stage precense, without overshadowing each other. Guitarist Jade Puget plays intricate passages while twirling about the stage, while Hunter Burgan on bass, holds down the low end, regularly accenting with aggressive leaps off the monitors. Though tied to his drumset, Adam Carson mixes up his beats with a variety of percussion throughout the songs that can’t be overlooked.
Which brings us to vocalist/frontman Davey Havok. Though expressive in studio albums, his emotions drip even further from every lyric when performing live, commanding the stage in an almost theatrical, yet precise manner. Mid-set, he jumped off stage to go “crowd-walk,” a familiar act yet no less spectacular to witness, as he stayed out on the crowd for a full song, balanced amid hands of fans. As a whole, the band’s performance is a sight to see, complementing their music perfectly.
The band played a wide set, covering a range of songs from their most recent album Burials and back catalog of nine studio albums [set list below]. Though they took time to slow down with songs such as The Leaving Song, Heart Stops, and God Called In Sick Today throughout, the entire set worked well keeping a good pace. At the end of the night, as they finally concluded their set, they all took proper bows – appreciative and truly acknowledging that they wouldn’t be where they are without their fans. For a 23-year-old band, they still take to the stage with the same passion and energy as ever before – and won’t be leaving slowing down anytime soon.
Set list:
The Leaving Song Pt. II
Girl’s Not Grey
I Hope You Suffer
File 13
Love Like Winter
Ever and a Day
17 Crimes
The Leaving Song
Beautiful Thieves
Kill Caustic
Heart Stops
Miss Murder
The Days of the Phoenix
God Called in Sick Today
The Conductor
Dancing Through Sunday
Silver and Cold
Thanks to the AFI fansite, AFINewsHQ.com for posting some of our photos and review link!
All photos by Hanna Yando:
