The Eastpak Antidote tour, on paper, looks to be one of the best lineups of 2009. Originally the Line Up being Alexisonfire, Anti-flag, Four Year Strong, The Fall of Troy and The Ghost of A Thousand. However, The Fall of Troy unfortunately pulled out of the tour as they are looking to do their own headline tour at the end of November and also playing a range of US dates with Thursday.
Up first TGOAT never fail to deliver an explosion of hardcore punk fused with rock and roll riffs. TGOAT are the perfect start to the night and give a performance that could easily be placed as main support. Four Year Strong continue the party atmosphere, sounding pitch perfect and playing monster hits from their smash album ‘Rise or Die Trying’ such as ‘Bada Bing Wit’ a Pipe’ and ‘Heroes Get Remembered’. Their reception is well received both among fans and the newly converted.
Anti-flag take to the stage as co-headliner, they deliever a steller performance and get the majority of the crowd pumped for Alexis. However for some, Anti-flag seemed to be one of the more out of place bands on the bill with a substantial amount of people heading out to the smoking area to get a quick breather before Alexis. For those that stayed Anti-flag make it worth their while a play a solid and passionate set.
Finally, Alexisonfire have something to prove with such a great host of bands supporting them, they feel the pressure to deliver an amazing end to the night. Alexisonfire never fail to impress and always provide an atmosphere that gets the whole audience involved with their catchy tunes and sing along chorus’. Dallas Green and Wade MacNeil provide the sing along harmonies while George Pettit delivers his emotive screamo vocals that make the band such a unique mixture. Alexisonfire has been an impressive rise that doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. [8]
Words: Ihsan Kemal
Pictures: Ihsan Kemal