A Day To Remember | Rod Laver Arena | 8th April
A Day to Remember’s Big Rock Tour hit Australia, and Wednesday’s show went off its head.
I was lucky enough to catch opener LANDMVRKS the night before at their solo headliner at Stay Gold. Photographing that show was a blast, but it was even better to just kick back and enjoy their set without the pressure of chasing the perfect shot.
For a lot of people in the crowd, it was their first time seeing LANDMVRKS live, and I honestly envy them. I’d give anything to experience that for the first time again. Their reception in Australia was unreal, and hopefully it is enough to keep them coming back.
Papa Roach were one band I still hadn’t seen, and I was keen to see what these veterans of the scene could bring to their Australian fanbase. Even though I haven’t properly listened to them in years, I could still appreciate, and honestly was blown away by, their stage presence and performance.
Jacoby Shaddix had the crowd in the palm of his hand, heading down to the barricade, letting fans take over vocal lines, and even making his way up along the side barricades to get closer to the crowd. Their Nu Metal Time Machine segment was also a massive hit, throwing in riffs from Korn, Limp Bizkit, Deftones and more, which really tapped into that sense of nostalgia.
A Day To Remember were up next, and they did not disappoint. The energy from both the stage and the crowd was insane, and the way they connected with the audience was a solid 10/10. From the iconic moment of crowd surfing on top of a crowdsurfer, to bringing out giant basketball hoops and a flood of inflatable basketballs for LeBron, the whole set felt massive.
The pyro and confetti only added to the chaos, while Mario running around on stage and throwing all sorts of objects into the crowd made it even more ridiculous in the best way.
A variety of hits made their way into the setlist, with tracks from their iconic album Homesick, as well as The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle from For Those Who Have Heart, alongside a selection of songs from the new album. No matter which era the band pulled from, the crowd sang every word.
From start to finish, Wednesday night delivered in every way. It didn’t feel like a worknight, with a packed room and a crowd that refused to hold anything back. With a lineup this stacked, it ended up being one of those nights that sticks with you.