Concert Review: Living in the Present (and Future and Past)

“All of time and space. Everything that ever happened or ever will. Where do you want to start?”

How about the Deluxe room in downtown Indianapolis, where we can see the present, future, and past?

As part of We Came As Romans’ aptly named tour, the Detroit metal sextet made a stop at Old National Centre, bringing along For Today, The Color Morale, and Palisades to really make it a party.

I’ve been more a casual fan of these guys for some time, but I’ve never seen a full set (actually, only a few minutes at a Warped Tour). However, now is my chance. I like hardcore shows, and (despite my age), I still like the “pack as many people into a small room” concept of a show. So on paper, this seems perfect. Without further ado, let’s get this thing going.

Unfortunately, I didn’t hear about my credentials until minutes before the show started – it actually started at 3:30 in the afternoon. As a result, it was a mad dash to ONC (and getting stuck in traffic and hitting every red light, because of course) that ended with me missing the first two bands.

Fret not though. I’m still able to pick up my tickets and literally run downstairs to join the crowded, stuffy room, where For Today is already underway, and not a moment too soon.

I first saw them roughly 5 years ago in Nashville, and even had the pleasure of meeting frontman Mattie Montgomery at the Warped Tour a few years ago. I’ve always admired what they’re able to do on stage. Not just that they can perform to the best of them, but also the amount of passion they put into their craft. In a scene that generally has more carbon copies than anyone would like to admit, seeing a band this fired up is a welcome change of pace. Montgomery spends much of the set screaming through his songs of faith and proclaiming his love for his Lord and Savior, and you believe him. There’s nothing phoned in or phony about For Today. This is the real deal.

As far as their performance, it’s very clear they’ve been on the road for some time and they’re nearing the end of this latest excursion. As a result, they looked a little war-weary, but that’s not to say they didn’t still bring it. Musically, they’re still very tight, and I don’t think I need to elaborate on Montgomery’s stage presence any further. Out in the crowd, there’s plenty of sing-alongs around the room, while a pit has broken out in the middle of the floor in between the four pillars. It’s a lot like the relentless chaos Miss May I has always talked about, and it’s quite the sight to behold. The temperature may be rising with each second, and the band might look have been running on fumes by this time on the tour, but overall, a combination of the band’s passion and the crowd’s enthusiasm is enough to get anyone going. I may have been mad about showing up late, but who can’t love a show like this?

For Today’s set ends, and while crews strike the stage and begin setting up for our headliner, life moves on around the floor. Some people use this time to head to the restrooms, while others go to the merch tables to pick up a new t-shirt, or to go meet Mattie who will be hanging out around there to take pictures or meet fans. Meanwhile, I spend this time conversing with my old neighbor. You never know who you’ll run into at these things, and of course, it’s always nice catching up with a friend.

For Today’s merch table is right next to the door, and a line to meet Mattie stretches inside the room and around the soundboard. While many ready their phones for a picture, sound check is going on. Between this and the anticipation of our headliner about to go on, there’s a lot of excitement in the air. Before too long, the house lights go out, cheers break out from the audience, and We Came As Romans greets the excitable Deluxe before going into “To Plant A Seed,” and away we go…

Having never witnessed a show from them (we’re not counting the 5 minutes I caught them on the Warped Tour a few years ago), I’m not sure what to expect. Within minutes, I find myself almost literally in the middle of a barrage of passionate sing-along moments, moshing and hardcore dancing, throaty vocals, a normal dance party (we’ll get to that soon), and the first circle pit I’ve willingly been in since I swore off them in my early 20s (spoiler alert: I’m not that young anymore, and thankfully, this crowd follows the proper etiquette of helping you up if/when you fall down).

As for WCAR’s set, it’s a nice mixture of older tunes to complement the newer tracks (they are supporting their Present, Future, and Past DVD after all.). They even break out their cover of The Wanted’s “Glad You Came,” which may have prompted the biggest reaction of the night.

I will mention that WCAR is the only band I’ve seen give themselves an intermission, which consists of them leaving the stage for maybe a minute while a pre-recorded message prompts us all to have our own dance party out in the crowd (the strobe lights from the stage are a nice touch). Eventually, they return and we can return to the rock.

If there’s anything I might knock the band on, it’s that they had to follow For Today. Not that there’s anything wrong with WCAR, but it’s almost impossible to keep that kind of energy going for the whole show without a little bit of drop-off. Granted, these are two different bands with their own sound and stage presence, and besides, that’s not affecting anyone out here in the crowd. Many are still moshing and singing along to their heart’s delight, and I’m even joining them for a few moments (and that never happens anymore).

Wait, maybe that’s the key. I should be looking at this like a fan. Like that kid who used to go to shows to have fun, rather than the cynical reviewer. These things are supposed to be fun, and not a chore. Yes, reality will set in again after I step foot out of this building, but for now, let’s enjoy this little bit of chaos, as well as the first circle pit I’ve been in in years. Plus, who can’t help but scream along with the breakdown to “Intentions?”

It’s been an enjoyable…er…afternoon (even the ticket taker at the door was too used to saying “have a good evening”), but sadly, it must stop. Without warning, they perform “Tracing Back Roots” before saying their goodbyes and exiting the stage.

Uh, no. We want more, and everyone is begging for it, witch chants of “one more song!” and plenty of clapping and hollering going on. After a few moments of standing in the dark, the band returns, thanking everyone for their support over the years (and even giving our friends at the Emerson a shout-out), before doing not one, but two more songs. This gives people a last chance to sing along, mosh away, or even crowd surf (and there are quite a few). It’s a little after 7:00 p.m., and they finally close out the evening with a rousing rendition of “Hope” before bidding us a final farewell and sending us on our way. Many head to the doors, while some hang around the stage clamoring for discarded drumsticks and set lists like those seagulls from Finding Nemo. Me? I’m heading back to my car, trying to figure out how I’m going to put this into words.

And here I am, sitting at a Starbucks, coffee in hand and blasting metal to counter whatever it is they pour through the speakers here. Anyway, let’s give my final verdict:

I’m not a fan of missing bands or any part of a show, but this definitely falls into the “better late than never” category. Sometimes I get cynical having to review so many bands, but for whatever reason, this one reminded me to treat this like a fan, whether it was because this tapped into my “small room and lots of chaos” portion of my subconscious that makes me like everything, or even seeing a friend who inadvertently reminded me that shows are supposed to be fun. Whatever it was, this is what I needed.

In closing, these were my notes from the past, and the present and eventually the future.

The Good:

I’m not shy about professing my love for metal/hardcore shows. Plus, they found the perfect bands to do this. Plus, any performer who can make me forget the anxiety of showing up late to something has to be doing something right.

The Bad:

I missed the first two bands, and the venue is kind of warm. Outside of the obvious, I would say the only thing that hurt WCAR was having to follow For Today. Not that there was anything wrong with the former, but it’s tough to follow an act that puts that much energy and passion into their performances. I also have a few bruises from that circle pit I jumped into, but that’s on me.