The Devil Wears Prada @ The Deluxe — Indianapolis on November 7th, 2013
It’s 11:00 p.m.; my head is ringing; I’m disoriented and beat up; and I’m pretty sure most of the sweat that I’m covered in isn’t mine.
So how did I get here? Let’s take a few moments to explain.
November 7, 2013, The Devil Wears Prada made their way to the Deluxe Room at Old National Centre for one of the many stops they would be making on their 8:18 Tour. Of course, they didn’t come alone. Also joining in on the fun is The Ghost Inside, Volumes, and Texas In July.
As opposed to my last review, TDWP is one of my favorite bands. I’ve made an effort to see them every time they’ve come to town since the 2008 Vans Warped Tour, and despite one unfortunate incident in 2009 involving a circle pit and my right shoe, I’ve usually had a great time at these shows. So when I saw they were coming to town, how could I pass this up? So after shelling out money for parking, getting my tickets, and following everyone else because I didn’t know where the Deluxe Room was, let’s get started. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a metal show, and I couldn’t be more anxious for this thing to start.
Upon entering, security had to tell everyone that moshing and crowd surfing were prohibited. They even had signs saying the same thing on each of the four pillars in the room. Something that seemed to go out the window when Texas In July took the stage, as the eager crowd – mostly consisting of high school and early college-aged kids – took to opening up the pit as the first song kicked in. Security did make their way towards the middle of the room, but just to monitor it. As chaotic as most dance pits are, they were pretty controlled.
As for the band, I’d never really taken the chance to listen to them. For those who want a description, it’s a very raw hardcore/metalcore blend. Unfortunately, they seem to fall into the category of “bands where every song sounds the same,” and as a result, the performance came off as kind of flat to me. Judging by the crowd reaction, I can’t tell if they’re uninterested or because this is the first band and no crowd is ever warmed up by this point.
To their credit though, they do find their groove late into their short set, and the crowd is becoming more and more responsive, from those who have taken to hardcore dancing to the ones in the front jumping and screaming until their vocal chords become raw. All in all, not a bad warmup. Let’s see if they can keep this going.
Having never been in the Deluxe Room before, I kind of like it. It’s big enough to act as a mid-sized music venue, yet small enough to be as intimate as a club show. It kind of reminds me of those days I used to spend going to The Emerson for a metal show, only the ceiling is lower and the stage is in much better shape. The only problem I see is the four large pillar towards the center, and no, I’m not referring to them being an obstruction…
Up next, we have a band I’ve never even heard of. A metal outfit by the name of Volumes. Already, I’m intrigued by the idea of having two singers (screamers). I’m a big fan of bands like Taking Back Sunday (different, I know, but just go with it), so let’s see what they can do.
Overall, it felt a little like a band who had just read “Metal For Dummies” and proceeded to just hammer out cliche after cliche: heavy riffs, pounding drums, throaty vocals, breakdown after breakdown, and calling for the crowd to bounce (amended because of the “no moshing” rule). On top of that, it felt like they were also trying a little too hard with the cocky metal a-hole persona.
Judging by the crowd response, it felt a little like it was taking a half step back. Of course, there were those who did oblige and jump around and two-step. As I’m typing all of this, I can almost hear 16-year-old me screaming at 25-year-old for writing such blasphemy, but hey, not all music is for everybody. Especially when it comes to metal.
Now onto, our third band of the evening. One that I don’t know a whole lot about, but I at least know of them.
That’s right, it’s time for The Ghost Inside.
As soon as they start in on “Engine 45,” it’s a completely different feel, and not just because this is the most melodic band thus far. It’s like the room just exploded with energy, as the dance pits are as crowded as ever and the moshing up by the stage got turned up to 11. The band brought the noise, and the crowd gave them everything they had.
About midway through the set, frontman Jonathan Vigil took a few moments to explain some of the struggles he has gone through over the past few years, and the uncertainty of whether or not he wanted to continue being in a band. It’s a testimony that ends with him thanking the fans for keeping him going and allowing him to continue his dream, and no one appreciates this more than the crowd, as for the rest of the set, it’s a very give-and-take affair. The band gives it their all, while an energized crowd shows its appreciation the only way they can: by throwing down harder than ever.
More importantly though, it felt like an exercise in how positive of an experience music can be. Vigil gave a quick testimony before each song and what it meant to him, and his story became everyone else’s. It brought everyone together while we all proceeded to lose themselves in the show, and when it’s as engaging as this was, it’s hard not to be impressed.
Their set is over, and many are making their way to the hallway outside to hit up the merch tables. While this is going on, I decide to treat this like I would any other metal show, which is to try and move in as close as I can. All night long, I’ve avoided the moshing, but hey, it’s not a show if I don’t get my ribs crushed at least once (let’s see if age catches up to me).
Like all headlining bands, it feels like an eternity. They’ve sound checked everything, lights are blinking, and the attendees who stepped outside are now filing back in. On a sidenote, I think smartphones have destroyed my ability to wait and be patient (#FirstWorldPains). Okay, any second now…right?
After a lengthy wait (probably wasn’t that long, but it felt like it), the house lights go out, the crowd cheers, and the only light in the room comes from an illuminated logo sitting behind the drum kit. The band takes the stage and starts right in on “Gloom,” and we’re underway.
For the next hour, it’s a fury of favorites old and new, but mostly new, as the oldest songs they performed came from 2009’s With Roots Above and Branches Below, a bit of an interesting choice, but not entirely surprising considering their disdain for their older material.
Now the last time I saw them perform in this building (in the Egyptian Room), it was the final date of the tour, and for lack of a better word, they looked exhausted and war-weary. As this is the only the 5th show of their current trek, they look fresh and like they could keep pace with the best of them. For nearly one hour, it’s nothing but full steam ahead. Frontman Mike Hranica always gives 110% in each performance, running from all over the stage to make sure everyone is involved, but tonight, it just felt like he was in rare form.
Though they may have matured over the years, there are still signs that they don’t take themselves too seriously, as they do take a few moments to interact with the crowd, including one instance of calling out a New England Patriots fan, drawing boos from some people, and joking around with another that doesn’t follow sports (“follow sports, nerd!).
Early on in the set, I realized I may have made a huge mistake…
Much like that time in the Egyptian Room, much like every time I saw them at the Warped Tour, and much like any metal show I’ve ever been to for that matter, I am being knocked around like a rag doll. Within the course of one song, I’ve been run into the pillar at least three times, nearly tackled someone else by accident, and somehow ended up 10 away from where I started by the time it ended. Okay, so yes, age did catch up with me, as I do utter the words “I’m too old for this (expletive deleted).”
Despite all of that (and maybe the short tempers of a few), this was everything TDWP has been preaching since the beginning (outside of the obvious): great music, having a great time, and helping one another (thankfully everyone here knew the proper mosh pit etiquette). The band performed, those around shouted along with glee or partook in the mosh pit (though by this time, a few got thrown out by security for being excessive).
But sadly, all things must come to an end, after an emphatic shout-along of the words “I know a ghost,” and proceeding to close with “Danger: Wildman,” they exit stage left, leaving everyone wanting more. Some started chanting “one more song!” while me and several others said “10 more songs!” Hey, might as well go all out.
The band doesn’t wait long to come back, and without warning, they dive right into “Dead Throne” before thanking everyone once again and closing things out for good with “Mammoth.” From there, the house lights come back up, those in front of the stage jump after discarded drum sticks and set lists like the seagulls in Finding Nemo, and security ultimately pushing everyone out of the room so they could strike the stage.
The halls are crowded, and many are taking advantage of the opportunity to buy a new shirt or pose for pictures with some of the bands who performed earlier. Me? I’m a dizzy and sweaty mess trying to make my way to the stairs and about to make my way to the car so I can try to assess what I just saw.
My head is pounding, my ears are ringing, and I feel like I’ve been at the bottom of a pile. This is the story of how I got here…
Final verdict?
At my age, I might not be able to handle metal shows like this like I used to (hence the reason I stopped going to The Emerson). Was it a perfect show? No. Was it a fun show? Absolutely. It was a reminder of why I used to go to shows like this all the time. A place where I could go to not only see bands I like, but also lose myself for a few hours with a few other like-minded people.
And in the end, isn’t that what the concert experience is all about?
The Good: The Devil Wears Prada and The Ghost Inside: two bands who were in complete control this evening. Plus, it doesn’t hurt when you have a crowd as responsive as this one. On another note, I think Deluxe was the perfect venue for a show like this. Despite the decor being a little out of character for metal bands, it’s just small and intimate enough to have the same feel as a club show.
The Bad: The first hour or so of the show didn’t flow very well. Chalk that up to a limited set time and trying too hard to make something happen. Of course, for all I know, it could’ve been an off-night for them. I’d throw in the post-mosh hangover to this, but I did that to myself.