Concert Review: AWOLNATION at The Tabernacle

Hitting the road in support of their new single, "Freaking Me Out", and a yet-to-be-named forthcoming album, AWOLNATION rolled into The Tabernacle with the fury of a band eager to reinvent themselves once again. Unfortunately, ticket sales were not where the band might have liked, however, that didn't stop an unforgettable show.

Liverpool rockers The Mysterines opened up the show. A band feverishly on the rise, the band brought a haunting presence to the stage with their howling vocals and scuzzy guitar work. 

Pop-punk meets power-rockers Badflower took the stage as direct support. Frantic and manic, the band was certainly a presence on stage. From big kicks, drum solos, and lead singer Josh Katz's crowd walk, the band had an energy about them. 

Best known for their hits "Sail" and "Run", AWOLNATION have developed a cult following for their deep cuts that didn't crossover into the mainstream. The project of songwriter Aaron Bruno, AWOLNATION brings an eclectic mix of sounds with them from the ever evolving sound. Gearing up for album five, there was a ton of ground to cover.  

AWOLNATION are deceptively loud and rambunctious. The band were ravenous, taking full advantage of their years of touring know-how, the energy the crowd projected onto them, and the production around them. Not only were they tight performers, but their team used the lighting at The Tabernacle better than I've ever seen before. A tell-tale sign of a stellar act is the make-up of their audience, and the wide range of people at this show was best highlighted by the group of older gentlemen moshing to "Sail".

Bruno and company weren't alone however, with special guest Hyro the Hero joining the band on stage for "Knights of Shame", a ten minute long rock anthem ranging for electronic to hip-hop, and a cover of Biz Markie's "Just a Friend". His energy was immediately made known, as Hyro was absolutely locked in and having a blast on stage. 

A deceptively short setlist was lengthened by the return of a fan favorite track, "Knights of Shame". Running around ten minutes, this modern rock opera showcases the diversity in Aaron Bruno's songsmith ability. The continuation of "Passion" with its sister track "Sound Witness System" was also a treat for fans.

          1. Freaking Me Out

          2. Slam (Angel Miners)

          3. Soul Wars

          4. People

          5. Kill Your Heroes

          6. Run

          7. The Best

          8. Radical

          9. Handyman

          10. Passion -> Sound Witness System

          11. Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)

          12. Knights of Shame (ft. Hyro the Hero)

          -

          13. Just a Friend (Biz Markie cover)(ft. Hyro the Hero)

          14. Pacific Coast Highway In The Movies

          15. Sail

AWOLNATION is preparing to finish their southeastern run this weekend as they prepare to head out west and the up the coast to close out the "Falling Forward" tour. Their remaining dates are below.

          10/29 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore^*

          10/31 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl^*

          11/02 Tulsa, OK Cain's Ballroom^*

          11/04 Houston, TX Revention Music Center^*

          11/05 Dallas, TX South Side Ballroom^*

          11/06 Austin, TX Stubb's BBQ^*

          11/08 Albuquerque, NM Revel Entertainment Center^*

          11/09 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre^*

          11/11 Los Angelos, CA Hollywood Palladium^*

          11/12 Las Vegas, NV Brooklyn Bowl^*

          11/13 Oakland, CA Fox Theater^*

          11/16 Portland, OR Roseland Theater^*

          11/18 Seattle, WA Mooore Theatre^*

          ^ with Badflower

          * with The Mysterines

Lackluster ticket sales didn't stop AWOLNATION nor their fans from having a fantastic night.