The 2016 A Taste of Chaos Tour rolled into the Artpark Mainstage last Thursday with an impressive lineup of bands. Headlined by Dashboard Confessional, the lineup also included Taking Back Sunday, Saosin, and The Early ovember. The Taste of Chaos tour was started by Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman and has been off the grid following the 2010 version so this year’s tour is a welcomed event for many alternative rock fans.
The Early November opened the show with a small set of hits as the crowd filed into the theater. Lead vocalist Ace Enders led the group through a set of softer rock that was well received by the crowd. Next up was the hard-rocking Saosin featuring lead vocalist Anthony Green. Various lineup changes for Saosin in the past seemed to have worked themselves out now for the band. They delivered a powerful set and Green sang like a man possessed. A highlight included Green handing the mic off to a front-row fan to sing. He wasn’t a match for Green’s strong voice but he put forth a valiant effort.
Taking Back Sunday was up next. The house had filled by this point in the show and most rose to their feet and stayed there for the whole set. Lead vocalist Adam Lazzara was in great form and led the band through a varied set of songs from across their six albums. The band also has been through lineup changes with members leaving and returning and the latest lineup seems to be working very well. Founder and lead guitarist Eddie Reyes, put forth an enthusiastic performance, tearing off some of the hottest riffs of the night.
Headliner Dashboard Confessional began their highly anticipated set with “Vindicated” and from the first notes you knew this was going to be something special. Lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Carrabba was in top form and led the band through a string of hits. Every song was met with instant crowd response that had Carrabba stopping his singing at points to let the crowd finish singing the lyrics.
The highlight of this show came early on. As a homage to the fans in the “cheap seats”, Carrabba raced up the aisle to the very back of the house to give a front row view to the fans on the lawn with a 2-song acoustic set of “Places” and “Swiss.” It showed how much this band cares about their fans.
Overall, the 2016 version of the Taste of Chaos tour was a well-rounded show with broad musical appeal and great value. Let’s hope the Rockstar Energy Drink-sponsored event continues for many years to come.
Dashboard Confessional setlist:
Vindicated
Sharp Hint of New Tears
The Good Fight
Saints and Sailors
Get Me Right
The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most
The Swiss Army Romance
Don’t Wait
The Best Deceptions
Carry This Picture
Heart Beat Here
Remember to Breathe
As Lovers Go
Again I Go Unoticed
Screaming Infidelities
Fix You (Coldplay cover)
Stolen
Encore:
Hands Down
We would like to thank Ashley Ball from Livenation for her assistance in helping BackstageAxxess get credentialed for the show.
