Taste of Chaos 2016 at Xfinity Arena

Taste of Chaos 2016
w/ Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday, Saosin, and The Early November
Xfinity Arena, Everett, WA
07.09.16

The Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour is famous for bringing together an impressive list of hardcore, rock, and emo bands. This year’s line up at Everett’s Xfinity Arena was no different. After taking a six-year break, the Taste of Chaos tour returned with an impeccable collection of bands, including nostalgic favorites. The Early November, Saosin, Taking Back Sunday, and Dashboard Confessional formed perfect group of emo bands to be entertained by on a Saturday night.

Saosin – reunited with lead singer Anthony Green – was a whirlwind of stage presence, all screaming lyrics and musical magic. Green tossed the mic and stand into the air, sending it flipping overheard before catching it again. The general admission crowd was feeling it. Some smashed as close as possible to the stage and chanted out every lyric, some started a large dancing area that could better be described the rough beginnings of a mosh pit, and others – in true emo fashion – stood further back posturing as indifferent.

Green fed off the crowd’s energy, “I love that some of you are trying to get your dance on right now. That is all I love to do. Ignorant dancing!” The set was energetic and entertaining. Those who expected Saosin songs from their former lead singer would have been disappointed. The short, 30-minute set consisted of songs off their newest album Along the Shadow. The rebirth of this tour coincided perfectly with the rebirth of the band and their beloved original singer, Green. He rounded out their set by tossing the mic into the crowd and letting fans take lead on vocals. It made for a pretty eclectic sound and experience.

The next great set began with a backdrop of an enormous American flag, and the band came out to The Lion King’s “Circle of Life.” It was clear that the crowd had a deep appreciation for Taking Back Sunday. Right off the bat was their first hit as a band, over 14 years ago, “Cute without the E,” a major throwback for all the emo fans. One of the best parts about watching TBS live is admiring lead singer Adam Lazzara’s swing of the mic. Throwing it all over the stage, he caught it effortlessly – almost like a beautifully choreographed dance. Most notably, he would swing the mic around his neck and kept singing.

With a major amount of sentiment in the air, Lazzara spoke to the nostalgia of years past. How, in many ways, the fans have grown up with the band. “Think back to when you got your driver’s license. I was there. There are things I learned along the way. I can only tell them to you in the form of a new song. This song hits my 18-year-old self as much as my grown-ass man, self. So I hope it hits you the same way it hits me.” They played two new songs off their upcoming album including “Tidal Wave” which has hints of a different type of TBS. The opening riff sounded similar to the Ramones. We’ll see the new direction they take on what will be their seventh studio album with its release on September 16th, 2016. Wrapping up the set and thanking the crowd, Lazzara admitted, “We were in Idaho last night and it was eh-ok but tonight was GREAT! Thank you! We needed that!”

Then the moment finally arrived, as headliner Dashboard Confessional kicked off their set with “Vindicated,” full of many long-winded notes from lead singer Chris Carrabba. The crowd also helped by screaming along with lyrics. The whole DC set featured the long-winded, angsty notes that fans have loved for years, but somehow in live performance the sound was prolonged and even more emotion-filled. It sounded beyond great, to the point of inducing chills.

Carrabba shared anecdotes from earlier days, of writing lyrics and trying out songs for his close friend. She said he was terrible and could never make a living playing like that. He would leave to rewrite and repeat the process, returning to perform for his friend. Carrabba shared how it took him a while to find his own voice and sound. When he did, and he played again, his friend said, “You need to do this for the rest of your life!” And he has.

The band also played a new song for the fans that will be featured on their highly anticipated new album. It was important to them to incorporate fans into the recorded version. They wanted to make their beloved fans – who have supported them over the years – a part of their continued future. When prompted, fans sang along, echoing the lyrics, “let your heart beat here.” There is no word on when we can hear ourselves singing on the new album yet, but everyone will be waiting and excited for it.

Photos by Logan Westom
Review by Allie Leaf

Taking Back Sunday