Taking Back Sunday On A Sunday

I wasn't too hot about this gig. Taking Back Sunday's brand of rock rose from hardcore punk to combining everything from pop-punk to modern rock. Whatever I know of them now isn't enough to make me enthusiastically want to attend a show. Unless you want to throw in that word again- nostalgia.

Singapore never had it so good with so many gigs this year. More to come next week. Esplanade's last presentation of Mosaic Festival, yo! In fact, it's like, of late, I make a conscious effort to be in town for the first quarter of the year because all the gigs are happening back home. No need to chase down anyone in another city.

Adam Lazzara's experimenting with folk rock now. He has a solo song out and I like it- 'Because It Works'. Apparently Taking Back Sunday's upcoming sixth album will contain elements of folk rock, more diverse instrumentation and dunno-what-else. They've got quite a range. But the man is a fan. So I got dragged to the gig.

Okay. Taking Back Sunday live on stage is rather sizzling. Obviously a band who's been together touring for a while, knows how to work the acoustics, the crowd and give it their best. Always awesome to see live bands who're clearly into the music and the people. Adam Lazzara's mic-twirling were kinda cute. Because of the poor ventilation in the packed-out venue, I was lurking really near the exit/entrance and wasn't standing at the side where I could see Eddie Reyes. Never mind, in clear view, were John Nolan, Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell.

There were old songs rehashed and new tunes played. Kinda cool that they covered Straylight Run's 'Existentialism on Prom Night'. Heh. Wasn't expecting that, but LOVE. One of those teenage songs from another favorite band where I can still see their faces in a new format and sound. Thought I also heard the beginning notes of a Sigur Rós track in between some talking. Too many favorites around. It was a surprisingly good night.

March 2014 at *SCAPE Warehouse, Singapore.