Alternative & goth metal band New Years Day took over the Town Ballroom last Saturday night bringing their various types of metal to the Buffalo area. This was the first time they played Buffalo, and this was considered their first headlining tour as well. The band has been going through quite a bit of personnel changes just within the last year itself. Of course, the band has been led by vocalist Ash Costello since its inception. She is joined by longtime member Nikki Misery on rhythm guitar, Frankie Sil on bass, Austin Ingerman on lead guitar and newcomer Longineau W. Parsons III on drums (who is filing in on drums). Parsons just replaced James Renshaw very recently. This is the 3 drummer the band has dealt with in just over a years’ time.
The band took the stage at approximately 9:30 to a small but hearty crowd waiting to take in the band’s first Buffalo area show. The band dove right into “Come for Me,” which is the first track on their latest effort “Unbreakable.” Costello is a terrific frontwoman. She really engages the crowd and talked to them throughout. The band was interactive as well as at various points Misery went into the crowd and played with the fans who were adorning him and taking selfies. Sil also made his was through on the track “Scream.” Unfortunately, Costello was supposed to come into the crowd as well but stated she had mic issues and couldn’t participate. She also had everyone participate by holding up their devil horns for the Pantera cover “Hostile.” New Years Day brought up a few members of the opening bands to participate in their latest single “Shut Up.”Costello also had everyone crowd the stage for and “Defame Me.”
I thought the band did a commendable job winning over the audience in Buffalo but the set was too short. With 4 studio albums under the belt and a good repertoire of songs to choose from, I felt that only 11 songs and an hour and 10-minute set was too short. For band trying to build a following, they need to expand their setlist and give the fans more than what I saw on Saturday. I loved what I did see but know they are much more capable of delivering a longer set. I hope to see that the next time I catch them live.
Setlist:
Come For Me
Killed or Be Killed
Gangsta (Kehlani cover)
Skelteons
Let Me Down
Epidemic
Scream
Fucking Hostile (Pantera cover)
Shut Up
Defame Me
Encore:
Angel Eyes
We would like to thank Claire Reynolds from Red Music for the credentials to review the show. Stay tuned for an interview with Nikki Misery conducted before the show.
