If the sky were falling, its score would be composed by Circa Survive. Sunday night, the Philadelphia natives protested the spring weather by pounding the Avalon with a torrential downpour of sonic chaos, dense guitars, soaring vocals, and a proclivity for the uncertain.
The concert was the last stop of the five-week Alternative Press Tour. On paper, the tour was aimed to promote today's "next big thing." Unfortunately, most of the bands were rehash of last year's "just-OK thing." As Tall As Lions and Circa Survive, however, salvaged the rubbish left by Cute Is What We Aim For.
Circa Survive, in particular, flexed its muscles like an acrobat. Its music spans from pop to electronica to straight-up noise, all the while threading a grandiose vibe throughout the entire set. The mind-bending guitars and accelerated rhythm of "Act Appalled" tore through the night like a knife, while "In Fear and Faith" finds lead singer Anthony Greene summoning the muses of Dimension X.
Speaking of Greene, he can certainly sing and he can play guitar, yet his true forte is his rapport with the crowd. Playing his legions like an organ, Greene set the audience on fire with a charisma so powerful that few resisted his Kool-Aid offering. One to please crowds, Greene paid tribute to As Tall As Lions with a cover of "Love, Love, Love," which quickly turned into a family affair as 20 band and crew members joined the band on stage to close the evening.
Visually, the show was stunning, thanks to the labor of guitarist Colin Frangicetto. The band danced through the light of a projector as disparate images resembling Al Jolson taking a nightmarish walk through outer space were brought to life.
Keep your eyes on Circa Survive. The band is definitely going places, including Coachella and The Bamboozle music festivals this spring. Check out the new album On Letting Go on May 29. B+
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