Let’s rewrite the quote: “A rumble ain’t a rumble without these four bands.” Except this time, there are no Greasers or Socs. Just four like-minded bands who want to bring a show to those who are willing to see them.
Sponsored by Tillly’s the Outsider’s Tour to Deluxe at Old National Centre. The tour – co-headlined by Indiana native The Ready Set and a returning Metro Station, also brought along Against The Current and The Downtown Fiction to the party.
From an evening spent in Inferno to being amongst the outsiders, it’s been a busy week. It might not be as raucous as the last one, but these are usually pretty fun shows. I’ve not seen any of these bands (save for The Ready Set at Warped several years ago), but I’m always up for seeing something new. Plus, having friends who always talk about how great some of them are, it’s time to see this for myself. I was invited out by Metro Station, and I’m kind of excited for this one. So join me now, won’t you? As I venture back downtown to what is becoming my favorite venue to take part in this musical rumble.
But before I can pick up my tickets, I had a lovely conversation with the guys in Metro Station, talking their new record, the reunion, and being a DIY band, among other things. I’ve never seen them perform live before, but they were pretty cool. Can’t wait to see them later tonight.
From there, it’s to the Deluxe room (wasn’t I just here not too long ago?). If I had to estimate, it’s around one quarter full with most the crowd comprised of high school-aged kids, with a few outliers (mostly me and any parents who were hanging out around the back, and we’re far and few between). For the first time in ages, there’s no shortage of good spots to stand and watch, but it’s a little bare in here. It’s still early though, and maybe more will show up eventually.
The clock strikes 7 and our first band looks ready to go. Up first – as evidenced by the banner set up behind the drum kit – is The Downtown Fiction.
They admit that they haven’t been to Indy in several years, and outside of a handful of passionate few, most of the people here don’t look like they know who they are (myself included). This could throw off many bands, but I was pleasantly surprised at how they handled themselves on stage. While relative unknowns, they play with all the swagger of one of those veteran pop-punk acts you see on Warped every summer. They call for sing alongs and other forms of crowd participation, they’re lively and full of energy, and one-by-one, they look like they’re slowly winning people over (almost glacial, but it’s still happening). Granted, they’re the “warm-up” band, but the way they’re performing, you’d think they were trying to take over this show. Overall, not a bad way to kick things off. It’ll be interesting to check in with these guys again down the road.
While crews strike the stage and get ready for the next one, life goes on here on the floor. A few more people are starting to file in, while others make their way outside to the merch tables to check out the selection. Meanwhile, I’m going over to the food vendor for a pretzel because I may have skipped dinner to get down here in time. Oops. On the plus side, this is a pretty good pretzel.
And we’re back. I’ve had my fill of dough and cheese, and our next band has now taken the stage. Let’s welcome Against The Current.
Much like our first band, I’ve never seen them before. Heck, the only reason I know of them is because they were featured on Stage Right Secrets a few days prior. They mention that they’ve never collectively been to Indiana to perform, but for a group that has never set foot inside these borders, they’re performing like they’ve been here many times before. Much like our first band, they perform with all of the energy and confidence of a veteran band. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they sound like a unit. Whether it’s because the crowd is now properly warmed up or they have this many fans to begin with, everyone is much more receptive this time around, happily answering requests to sing along, clap, and jump around. If there’s ever a nitpick, it’s that frontwoman Chrissy Costanza talks kind of fast in between songs and seems a little nervous when it comes to talking to the crowd (she even admits this early in their set), but aside from this, this is a band that runs on all cylinders.
We’re a rare 2 for 2 tonight. Seriously, whoever put this tour together deserves an award. They’re the real MVP.
A new backdrop has been moved to the stage. One set up between two LED towers, with a drum kit to the right and a keyboard to the left. It’s not until right before the music starts again that the banner reveals the words “Metro Station,” much to the delight of the crowd. From there, members Tracy Cyrus and Mason Musso greet everyone before diving right into the music.
They may have just released a new EP the week prior, but much of their set is dedicated to the old favorites from their first go-around. While “Love & War,” “She Likes Girls,” and “Forever Young” (complete with a guest appearance by The Ready Set) were featured, it was songs like “Kelsey,” “Seventeen Forever,” and “Shake It” that got the crowd going (also Trace removing his shirt to the delight of many of the female members of this audience midway through).
It did take a few moments to get everything going. Cyrus at one point threw water at us to try and wake us up. After all, this is a party (they have the lights and the dance beats to back it up). As noted, it does eventually pick up. There’s plenty of dancing, clapping, singing along, and hands-in-the-air moments to see that this place is alive and well. Slow starts aside, it seems like everyone is enjoying themselves, including the band. The crowd is into it because they see the band is into it, and sometimes that’s what you want to see. Metro Station may have been gone for a few years, but they’re back. Oh are they back.
Metro Station announces they will be at their merch booth after the set and they want to meet as many people as they can. So naturally a lot of people line up during this brief break while crews get ready for our final act. I’m wonder if Mr. Jordan Witzigreuter – AKA: The Ready Set – has an affinity for Japanese culture. His backdrops seemed to be inspired by the culture, and to top things off, he has two big inflatable cats on both sides of the drum kit.
Meanwhile, a few representatives from a non-profit animal rights organization are going around trying to get people to join their mailing list or donate to them. They were hanging around outside before the show when everyone was standing in line, and have now moved inside. This continues until the lights go out and our final performer looks like they’re ready to go.
Originally from Fort Wayne, Witzigreuter refers to this as a home show of sorts, and judging by some of the people hanging around, they couldn’t be more excited to see him. They’ve donned their Ready Set t-shirts, they know all the words to his songs, and they dance and sing along as passionately as I’ve seen any crowd. All of these have the makings of a great show.
As for the performance itself, it’s as enjoyable as it is energetic, and there’s plenty of energy going into this set. The music is very dance-inducing (and if I knew any of the words, I’d probably sing along), and Witzigreuter and his backing band are clearly having the time of their lives up on stage. To go along with the show, there are (once again) plenty of strobe lights and LEDs going on behind them. Normally, I’d knock a band on this (especially after last weekend…), but the strobes are being used in moderation. Plus, the band is actually performing to the point where the lights aren’t trying to mask something, but to enhance it.
It doesn’t feel like he’s been playing that long, but almost an hour later, he arrives at the final song almost unannounced. To close it out, it’s a final sing and dance-along that sees the band bidding us farewell as dance music pours through the speakers. When that finally ends, the crowd chants for an encore, which they’re more than happy to oblige. From there, it’s one last song and then it’s farewell. The Ready Set exits the stage and the audience now makes their way to the doors.
Metro Station is still at their table, and now that the show is over, the line for their signing has gotten longer. Unfortunately, security has to kick us out of the building because the venue is shutting down. Realizing this, the signing has been moved to the parking lot outside. Also fortunately, it’s not that cold out tonight.
Much of the crowd returns to the line, while the rest make their way to their cars and start heading home, myself included. It’s been a fun night, now how am i going to put this into words?
One week and 1600+ words later…
First of all, I feel like I have to commend whoever put this tour together. They found four bands that not only work well with one another, but are able to keep building and building without much of a letdown during the night.
Second, I may not be the target audience of any of these bands, but this was another show that reminded me that music should be fun. Yes, I go to these mostly to work (and pull double duty if there’s an interview), but there’s nothing wrong with watching bands performing, dancing along, and just losing myself in the music for a few hours a night. In the end, that’s what it’s all about.
To put it another way, “I’m an outsider, outside of everything,” but at this show, we all have common ground.
The Good:
The bands, the lineup, pretty much the way everything was set up. Kudos to whoever put this together and found bands that not only work well with one another, but also keep the momentum going throughout the night.
The Bad:
Maybe the strobe lights, but there’s nothing I can do about that, and the reason I had an issue was because of last weekend. Other than that, I don’t have many bad things to say about this experience.