Story and Photos: Audrey Wright
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Now back to the story....
Nostalgia filled the air Sunday evening at Stir Cove in Council Bluffs, IA. The last time I saw A Day To Remember was on their House Party tour almost ten years ago. It was great to see them again, but this time from the front lines. My teenage self was going crazy the whole night. I grew up listening to this band and saw them various times at Sokol Underground and Auditorium way back in the day. Before the show started I caught up with some fellow local photographers and met some new ones. I saw so many friends I haven’t seen in a long time and I got to take my sister-in-law for her birthday. ADTR is her favorite band of all time.
Up first was Bad Omens, a band I have never seen or heard of. When all of us benders of light walked into the pit, another photographer, Adam, told me he loves this band. I told him I have never heard of them and he was psyched for me to see them for the first time. I love seeing bands live first before listening to their discography. Something about it makes the music and the vibes much more tangible. Bad Omens did not disappoint. Lead singer, Noah Sebastian, walked out on stage with a rather eerie presence, wearing a long black coat. When this dude started singing my jaw dropped. I was very impressed. From singing melodies one minute, to deep growls the next, incredible vocal range. If you haven’t listened to these guys yet, what are you doing? Go check them out.
Next was Beartooth. I’ve seen Beartooth play at Sokol Auditorium and Warped Tour a few years back. They never disappoint. Beartooth’s stage presence is always top notch and they get involved with the crowd which is a huge plus. Lead singer, Caleb Shomo, did a little sing off with the crowd. It reminded me of Freddy Mercury’s sing off with the crowd at Live Aid. Towards the end of the show, Caleb climbed out onto the crowd with his guitar and crowd surfed his way over to the soundboard. The crowd went wild.
A Day To Remember was the final act of the night and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to shoot for them. I grew up listening to them and I have seen them go from being this tiny band and playing to 50 people to now playing to thousands. I felt like I had some big shoes to fill. They had a giant curtain with ADTR in white lettering hoisted over the crowd. The lights dimmed and I just remember looking at everyone in the crowd and thinking to myself, wow this is what I have always wanted to do. These moments are what I live for. ADTR has the best stage production and their interaction with the crowd is unmatched. They mix their music with some comedic moments. For instance, they had a guy in a Mario outfit come out and shoot stuff out of a t-shirt cannon and they threw toilet paper rolls. Crowd surfing was a must at this show. Shout out to their lighting/stage techs. The production was insane. So many crazy visuals and lights. Confetti was a definite plus. We photographers appreciate you. You help make our art what it is.
When the show ended I was left with the best nostalgic feeling. I felt at home. This show reminded me of where I started and how far I have come. I love taking photos for everyone to enjoy. Capturing moments in time that we will never get back. Sealing time in a single photograph. I hope to one day work for these guys because they are so great. I would like to quickly give a shout out to Stir Cove for always being the best people to work with. You can catch the rest of ADTR’s show on the dates below!
8/17 Oshkosh, WI @Oshkosh Arena
8/19 Greenwood Village, CO @ Big Gig 2022
8/20 Wichita, KS @Big Wave
8/21 Bonner Springs, KS @Azura Amphitheater
8/23 Indianapolis, IN @TCU Amphitheater
8/24 Pikeville, KY @Appalachia N Wireless Arena
8/26 Simpsonville, SC @Heritage Park Pavillion
8/27 Portsmouth,VA @Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
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A Day To Remember
Beartooth
Bad Omens
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