If you were looking for some killer live music this past Tuesday in Charlotte you were in luck as the Queen City played host to not just one but two fantastic rock bands as Circa Survive and Thrice made a stop at The Fillmore on their fall tour. This double bill has been absolutely tearing it up everywhere they play and the crowd was stoked anticipating one heck of a show.
The first band to hit the stage was Thrice. They are without a doubt one of the most influential post hardcore bands ever and have reunited in recent years after a three year hiatus from 2012-2015. Their 2016 album “To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere” was a massive comeback success for the band as their fans eagerly accepted them back into the fold and tonight would be no different. The mood was intense as the band members took their spots onstage kicking off the evening with “The Earth Will Shake.” Vocalist and guitarist Dustin Kensrue was in top form sounding better than ever as he worked the room from center stage behind his mic. Lead guitarist Teppei Teranishi was flawless delivering riff after blistering riff backed by the rock solid rhythms of bassist Eddie Breckenridge and drummer Riley Breckenridge. The audience was laidback but appreciative living in the moment and at times singing along. The biggest response of the night was for “Black Honey” as the venue erupted and Kensrue let the crowd handle some of the choruses. The setlist was heavy on the band’s newer material but also threw in enough Thrice classics like “Red Telephone” and “Deadbolt” to keep things interesting. Closing things out with a stellar performance of “The Long Defeat,” it seemed both the band and the crowd were not quite ready to call it a night.
After a brief intermission, Circa Survive came out to a thundering crowd starting out their night with “Child of the Desert.” Frontman Anthony Green has a wonderful stage presence becoming one with the audience and commanding their attention from the moment he stepped onto the stage. Lead guitarist Brendan Eckstrom lit up the venue with his frenzied attack as drummer Steve Clifford kept the pounding rhythms. The band played a good variety of tunes including four songs from their latest album “The Amulet” which the majority of the crowd seemed to already know. By the time Circa Survive began the third song of the night “Lustration,” the fans were already crowdsurfing by the droves crashing over the barricade as Green egged them on waving them to the front. It was a scene of controlled chaos as security did a stand up job keeping everyone safe and allowing the crowd to have fun. Saving the best for last, the band finished their set with a passionate version of “The Difference Between Medicine” and “Poison Is in the Dose” and a all out raise the roof performance of “Get Out.” The crowd screamed for more not wanting the night to end. Unfortunately, the memories of the evening would have to hold them over until the next time as the house lights came on and the fans began to filter out of the venue.
Music lovers should not miss the chance to see Circa Survive and Thrice when they hit a city near you. With both bands playing for over 75 minutes each, you get twice the bang for your buck and get to experience two of the hottest rock bands around.
Thrice Set List:
The Earth Will Shake
The Window
The Artist in the Ambulance
Hurricane
Blood on the Sand
Firebreather
Open Water
Broken Lungs
Come All You Weary
Deadbolt
Silhouette
Red Telephone
Black Honey
Of Dust and Nations
The Long Defeat
Circa Survive Set List:
Child of the Desert
Glass Arrows
Lustration
Strange Terrain
Sharp Practice
Rites of Investiture
Tunnel Vision
In Fear and Faith
Stop the Fuckin’ Car
Premonition of the Hex
Frozen Creek
The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is in the Dose
Get Out
We would like to thank Nathalie Rubin from BMG for the credentials to review the show.
