Photo Credit: Samantha Nork
A sold-out show at the Aragon Ballroom means that every inch of the venue is going to be filled to the brim with people. 5,000 eager fans gathered to witness Alkaline Trio’s much-anticipated hometown performance. Everyone in attendance was in for a historic night full of music and punk rock spirit.
First to come on was Worriers, a dynamic band from Brooklyn, NY that quickly set the tone for the night. The band brought a very welcoming vibe with an undeniable queer-positive attitude. They brought the energy to start the night off right. Their lead singer, Lauren Denitzio, mentioned that they had released not one, but two records last year. They played songs such as “They / Them / Theirs”, “Trust Your Gut” and “Future Me”. It was clear that Worriers was the perfect act to warm up the crowd and get everyone prepared for the evening of music that lay ahead.
Drug Church took the stage next and turned the venue upside down. They filled the entire venue with their unfiltered punk energy. The moment their first chord was played, the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Singer Patrick Kindlon enthusiastically commanded audience members to mosh, run around and crowd surf. They played songs such as “Grubby”, “Bliss Out” and “World Impact”. Of course, they ended their set with their infamous anthem “Weed Pin”. Drug Church certainly possesses a contagious passion that you can see (and feel) throughout their whole set.
Alkaline Trio finally hit the stage around 9:45. All three of them were dressed in black-tie attire and radiated an electric energy that engulfed the whole crowd. The connection between Trio and their fans is undeniable. They know how to interact with their fans while they’re onstage and make each person feel special and seen. Lead singer and guitarist Matt Skiba even personally threw out guitar picks to lucky fans. Dan Andriano, a master on the bass, provided fierce backing vocals that were a perfect complement to Skiba’s angelic voice.
The setlist was a dream come true for Alkaline Trio fans. I was personally ecstatic to hear so many tracks from their new record, “Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs”. “Break” is one of my favorite tracks, so I was happy that I got to scream those lyrics in a live setting instead of alone in my car. Every single one of the new songs translated so well to a live setting. Of course, they played tons of iconic Trio tracks like “Mercy Me”, “Private Eye” and “Cringe”. But they also mixed it up a bit and played some hidden gems like “One Hundred Stories” and “Fuck You Aurora”. They also played quite a bit from their third (and arguably) their most popular album, From Here to Infirmary. Tracks like “Crawl”, “Mr. Chainsaw” and “Take With Lots of Alcohol ” were definitely a highlight for this hometown crowd.
It was clear that all three members were happy to be back on the stage performing in their hometown. The band was firing on all cylinders. Atom Willard, the newest addition to the lineup, unleashed a fiery fury on the drums. He had a smile plastered on his face the entire show while he attacked his kit with glee.
The aesthetic and atmosphere of this tour were impeccable. It perfectly encapsulated their latest album while also paying homage to Trio’s legacy. Every element, the black-tie outfits, the stunning lighting setup and the perfect setlist, turned this into an unforgettable night. Be sure to check out Trio’s new album, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, which is out now! The band is wrapping up the North American leg of their tour in a week, so go see them while you still can. Find a date near you: https://alkalinetrio.com/tour