Live Review

A Day To Remember – O2 Academy, Glasgow

• 1st Feb 2011

A Day To Remember provided an evening to remember for a sell-out crowd in Glasgow last night. The show had to be rearranged after the Florida band were stranded by snow in the USA, but the three day delay only made their, mostly youthful, fans more eager for the show.

Glasgow band Yashin were first on stage. Strangely their set started just as the doors opened meaning that they played to a very small crowd with the majority of the lengthy queue still making their way into the hall. With twin lead singers they gave an energetic performance full of power chords and screaming vocals. Just a pity that a few more folk didn’t see it.

Pierce the Veil from San Diego were next. Their dynamic two guitar sound, with just a hint of keyboards here and there, featured a very strong lead vocal and a tremendous display of power drumming. The, by now almost capacity, crowd very much enjoyed a fine set.

Bayside from New York were the third support act. Again featuring twin guitars and crunching power chords in their rock sound, the mix of punk and hard rock was entertaining. The four piece band played a nice set featuring a powerful vocal performance and some intricate lead guitar work.

A Day To Remember took to the stage to a tremendous reception, helped no doubt by the fact that lead singer Jerry McKinnon was waving a Scottish flag. The enthusiastic crowd threatened to pour over the barriers in their attempts to get closer to the stage, making it a busy night for the security staff.

The set started on an almost dark stage; not good for the photographers amongst us! Kicking off with crowd favourite 2nd Sucks, the tremendous energy of the band was clear to see from the very beginning as they used the large stage to best effect.

McKinnon was like a human dynamo as he darted back and forwards, mic in hand and note perfect. Guitarists Kevin Skaff and Neil Westfall showed equal vitality, using the risers at the front of the stage to play to their adoring fans,

ADTR have a sound that blends heavy metal riffs with punk’s pace and attitude. But however you try to categorise their music, there is no denying that they know how to play and how to entertain.

The set was heavy on What Separates Me from You, the band’s fourth album, which was released late last year. This Is The House That Doubt Built was a highlight, a hard rocking track with an insistent drum beat. The single All I Want was delivered superbly, and, like with most tracks, the entire crowd seemed to know every single word, singing along loudly.

An encore was demanded and the band returned to play three more tracks. The first was a rare acoustic number, If It Means A Lot To You, before the full band joined in on two more rockers, closing the show with The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle.

A Day To Remember delivered a show that had both fine music and an excellent performance, sending their fans home more than happy. They are decent musicians and know just how to appeal to the teenage market, making future success likely for the Florida boys.