The SnoCore Tour has been around for over 15 years and it brings mainstream rock to the masses when it’s needed the most; in the doldrums of winter. This year’s installment brings out some really good established rock bands in Flyleaf, Adelitas Way, Framing Hanley and Fit for Rivals.
Due to our interview with Rick Dejesus of Adelitas Way, we were forced to miss out on most of Jacksonville’s Fit for Rivals performance. They played for 25 minutes and are currently gearing up for their second studio release sometime in the near future. Most of the songs were off of the first disc “Steady Damage.”
Framing Hanley took the stage to a good amount of screaming girls and kicked into “Hear Me Now.” They even did a cover of Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop.” Due to the frigid temperatures, vocalist Kenneth Nixon kept his hoodie on until he warmed up some (which was after the third song). The band played a short, no frills set that consisted of 7 songs. They too, are preparing for a new release and gave the crowd a taste of one of the new tracks called “Simple life.” They gave concert-goers the low down on the chorus and asked them to sing and participate when the time came. The crowd came through and added an additional element to the fun song.
One of the more underrated rock bands that don’t get their due is Adelitas Way. Hot off a plane from Las Vegas to witness the birth of his second child, vocalist Rick Dejesus was all business and wanted to give the people of Niagara Falls, NY a good show. Within their 45- minute set, they did just that. Robert Zakaryan’s guitar licks were crunchy and raw the entire evening, I loved his playing throughout. Dejesus still had his wristband on from the hospital, prompting him to tell the story of the birth of his child to the crowd. The band then introduced the new song “Filthy Heart,” which will be on the new EP called “Deserve This,” that will be released on March 17th and a full EP that hopefully will be released later this summer.
Headlining the event was Flyleaf. With new singer Kristen May firmly entrenched as the lead vocalist for the last few years, the band continues to push forward. They are currently touring in support of their latest offering “Between the Stars.” This is the first time I witnessed May performing with Flyleaf and must say I applaud her range. She has really incorporated her style into the band, including adding new energy to the past catalog.
They opened with the appropriate “Set Me on Fire’ and you won’t find a more energetic combo moving around the stage then guitarist Sameer Bhattacharya and bassist Pat Seals. They keep the energy and intensity on full throttle.
You could have called Flyleaf’s show “performing the disc Between the Stars in its entirety” because that’s what they did. Every song was performed, just not in chronological order. Besides the 12- song disc, they played the big hits “All Around Me” and “I’m so Sick.” They also brought up VIP experience ticket holders on stage to dance and partake in the song “Magnetic.”
This was a great package that provided a night that was much needed for locals who have been battling “cabin fever” in light of weeks of record low temperatures. Like much of the Northeast, “snow” has become a four letter word no one wants to hear, thankfully, SnoCore offered a new spelling along with a good time.
Stay tuned for exclusive interviews with both Kristen May of Flyleaf and Rick Dejesus of Adelitas Way.
Flyleaf setlist:
Set Me on Fire
Traitor
Cassie
Thread
Missing
Sober Serenade
Fully Alive
Magnetic
All Around Me
Platonic
Head Underwater
Oceans (Where my Feet May Fail) (Hillsong United cover)
Great Love
City Kids
Encore:
Call You Out I’m so Sick
Encore 2:
Marionette
Blue Roses
Home
Adelitas Way setlist:
Cage the Beast
Dog on a Leash
Filthy Heart
Alive
Stuck
Sometimes You’re Meant to be Used
Criticize
Sick
Invincible
Framing Hanley setlist:
Hear Me Now
Criminal Back to Go Again Collide
Simple Life
Lollipop (Lil Wayne cover)
You Stupid Girl
We would like to thank Steve Karas from SKH for the credentials to review the show.
