On Friday October 12th a Violent Wave took over the Rose City’s own, Wonder Ballroom. I have been to the Wonder Ballroom multiple times but never has the energy been so intense than what veterans Circa Survive brought to Portland this Friday night.
The Violent Waves Tour is celebration for Circa Survive’s fifth studio album (also Independently released) of the same name, Violent Waves. Circa Survive was accompanied by three very complementary bands: Touché Amoré, O’Brother and Balance & Composure.
The Wonder Ballroom was packed full of eager Portlanders awaiting a sure to be epic performance. The opening bands more than met the challenge, but it was Touché Amoré who really got the Ballroom pumped for Circa Survive. Touché Amoré really connected with the audience bringing fast songs, vibrant stage presence and actual interaction with the audience. The energy definitely rose when vocalist Jeremy Bolm said it was nice to see a stage dive; Portland was the only stop so far on the Violent Waves Tour that did not have a barricade in front of the stage. To top off their set, Anthony Green of Circa Survive came out and sang with Touché Amoré on one of their songs (later in the evening Jeremy Bolm would return the favor and sing a song with Circa Survive).
Once Circa Survive took the stage the Ballroom really came alive. As Colin, Steve, Brendan and Nick manned their instruments, Anthony went straight to the crowd shaking people’s hands, saying hi and giving the crowd a really compassionate welcome. Then they started playing and the room began to move with the music; dancing, stage diving and crowd surfing continued through out the night (Anthony even jumped into the audience at one point). Throughout their set Circa Survive was masterful, playing each riff with compassion, hitting each beat with vigor and singing each note with heart. As the audience fed off of the energy coming from the stage, likewise the band fed off of the audience, and Anthony mentioned that the love and energy from the audience was “getting him off.”
The set continued flawlessly with the band playing hits like Act Appalled, Suitcase and Glass Arrow. To make the night even better they threw giant balloons into the audience and shot confetti from the stage throughout their set.
Circa Survive exceeded all expectations musically and personally. I don’t think I have ever seen such respectful, friendly and compassionate group of people and Portland was lucky to play host to them. I for one am defiantly looking forward to Circa Survives next visit to the Rose City. (Me Review/Jereme Westom)
Circa Survive 1-14 (photos by Logan Westom)
Touche Amore 15-21 (photos by Logan Westom)
Balance and Composure 22 (photos by Logan Westom)
o’Brother 23-26 (photos by Logan Westom)
