I’m going to be honest; I haven’t known of Underoath for very long. My husband showed them to me about 3 years or so ago. When I saw they were coming close to me for their tour along with Spiritbox I wanted to be there to review it. I’ve been super obsessed with Spiritbox since they became more well known, and love the fact that I share the same first name as their lead singer, because I hardly ever meet people with my name. I was also super excited to add Underoath to my portfolio and list of artists photographed. When I arrived at 6:15pm the line was wrapped all the way down the street. I stood in line till 7:30 before it started moving, which was insane because doors were at 6:00pm. Apparently, Underoath had to get some last-minute approval from the Mayor because he caught wind that Underoath shows “go too hard.” I also wasn’t aware that the box office isn’t in the same spot as the doors into the venue like most venues I’ve shot at; so I got to the doors and then had to go to a whole different line & then wait in the original line again. But thankfully I finally was able to get in right as Spiritbox was taking the stage.
Spiritbox is a Canadian heavy metal band from Victoria, British Columbia. Husband and wife duo that Mike Stringer and Courtney Laplante established in 2017. The band’s full lineup comprises LaPlante and Stringer, bassist Bill Crook, and drummer Zev Rose. The band’s metal style is difficult to pigeonhole into a specific metal music genre and displays an array of styles that draw from a variety of influences and incorporate electronic elements. Feelings of dissatisfaction caused LaPlante and Stringer to leave their former band, Iwrestledabearonce, and they started Spiritbox, seeking artistic freedom. Both released a debut extended play, Spiritbox (2017), followed by a second EP, Singles Collection (2019), with the band’s line-up completed. Spiritbox developed an approach to fan base building focused on the Internet and introduced their music through acclaimed music videos. The band continued to gain popularity with several singles that reached the Billboard charts before releasing their debut album Eternal Blue (2021), which entered the US Billboard 200 at number thirteen. Their music is currently released through their label, Pale Chord, via a partnership with Rise Records.
I got in right as they were dimming the lights and about to take the stage. A lot of the stage lighting was this beautiful shade of blue. Blue is actually my favorite color so I loved this. They started with one of their hits “Rule of Nines.” It’s important to note that the crowd was screaming “I love you Courtney!” and things of that sort before she took the stage so the shrieks from the crowd during their set were anticipated. I was mostly so excited to see a woman lead in a metal band, and not as the clean vocalist. It was super empowering and it was obvious the men in the crowd enjoyed it as well. The way Courtney moved and danced around on stage was intoxicating. I couldn’t help but sing along to “Circle With Me” when it played next because it was one of the songs I was anticipating hearing. The lights didn’t stay blue all night, at one point there was this super amazing shade of pink thrown in as well that really took my breath away. After they played their first 3 songs I went to the balcony for a better view. They ended their set with their song “Eternal Blue” from their debut album. It really tied in the night and had everyone singing and headbanging. It was an amazing set and I can’t wait to see them the next time they come to town. All the members had such amazing chemistry on stage which kept me in a trance all night.
Underoath is an American rock/metal band from Tampa, Florida. It was founded by lead vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton on November 30, 1997, in Ocala, Florida; subsequently, its additional members were from Tampa, including drummer, clean vocalist and last remaining core member Aaron Gillespie. The band’s current lineup consists of Gillespie, keyboardist Christopher Dudley, lead guitarist Timothy McTague, bassist Grant Brandell, lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain, and rhythm guitarist James Smith. The band’s lineup shifted frequently during its early years. Taylor recorded Act of Depression, Cries of the Past, and The Changing of Times with the band and remained with the group until his departure in 2003; Chamberlain replaced him as lead vocalist, and the lineup has remained mostly stable since. The band then released They’re Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line, and both earned gold certifications by the RIAA. These two albums remain their most commercially successful releases, and provided them with mainstream status; the latter of the two holds their highest Billboard 200 entry, peaking at no. 2. Following their sixth studio album, Lost in the Sound of Separation, which also reached a top-ten peak on the Billboard 200. Gillespie left the group and was replaced by former Norma Jean drummer Daniel Davison. Their seventh album, Ø (Disambiguation), was released in 2010; Chamberlain and McTague provided more prominent clean vocals in Gillespie’s absence. On October 2, 2012, Underoath announced that they would be disbanding in 2013; they played their final show that January. On August 17, 2015, the band announced they had reunited; in doing so, Gillespie returned to the lineup. After performing at A Day to Remember’s Self Help Fest in 2016, Underoath announced their eighth studio album, Erase Me, would be released in 2018. It was their first album in 8 years and their first in 10 years with Gillespie; the band also publicly abandoned their Christian musical approach starting with this record. The follow-up, Voyeurist, was released in January 2022.
Finally, it was time for Underoath to take the stage. The lights went dim and all of a sudden a masked figure appeared on stage to give a statement before the show. I don’t remember all that they said but what I think they were explaining was how they got the name of the new album while also telling everyone to make sure to take in the moment and enjoy the night. The stage lights went red and they all came on stage. They all took the stage with amazing energy. Especially, Tim, I got several images of him mid-air from that night that has become my fave action shot to date. Spencer also had an insane amount of energy and whipped his hair everywhere all night long. The first song of the night was “Damn Excuses” which really set the mood and got everyone fired up. The crowd surfers started not too long after they did and I have to say, the security in the pit at The Tabernacle was AMAZING. They caught everyone and were on top of it all night making sure no one got hurt and also keeping us photographers safe as well. It was amazing & really made me appreciate the venue that much more. If I hadn’t been there with my gear I honestly would have jumped in to join myself because there was no doubt in my mind I would have been safe. The entire setlist was hit after hit making the crowd go insane as the night went on. At one point Spencer stopped and explained why it took so long for us to get in & then also said it had been 900+ days since they had been on tour last. With that everyone cheered and they raged on. The last song they played before their encore was “Pneumonia” and Spencer challenged everyone to crowd surf and try to reach him and give him a high five. It was super amazing to see all the bodies up in the air trying their best to make their way to him. Once that song ended they left the stage and in typical concert fashion they cheered for “one more song.” They obliged and came back out to perform “Thorn” and “Writing on The Walls.” During “Writing on The Walls” Spencer asked everyone to put their lights in the sky and sing along. It was beautiful and something that left me speechless. Sadly the tour is over now, so if you missed this one you missed out, but don’t let that deter you from seeing them when they come to your town or local city next. I know I won’t pass up the opportunity to see them again.
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