AFI Ascends At The Admiral!

Story and Photos: Spencer Fleming

The show of the year (so far) went down at the Admiral last night (4.30.26)!

Goth-punk legends AFI (A Fire Inside) rolled through Omaha on the Holy Visions tour in celebration of their latest album Silver Bleeds The Black Sun. After following AFI for over 25 years to say I was excited for this one would be a massive understatement. After all these years you would think I'd have racked up dozens of shows by now, but not so. AFI has a long of history of skipping Omaha. In fact, it had been nine years since the band played at this very venue! The majority of my AFI shows were accumulated through trips to Minneapolis and Kansas City. So when the band announced an Omaha date I about leapt out of my chair!

As I pulled up to the venue the line was down the block, a very good sign! Most people would complain about a long wait to get in, but long lines signal that the band can draw in our city. Maybe it will be less than 9 years before AFI comes back!

Before AFI played we were graced by the opening band Choir Boy. I was introduced to Choir Boy several years ago when they opened for The Faint and I really liked their sound. At the time they were touring on their debut album Passive With Desire. Since that time they've released another album Gathering Swans and a few singles. I was super excited to see them again. Honestly I was hoping to run into the Choir Boy himself Adam Klopp. When they played the Waiting Room I was totally obnoxious and made some crack about Morrissey being his dad or something, since they sound like a mix of The Smiths, The Cure, and Depeche Mode. Not my greatest moment. I was hoping to redeem myself but I didn't see Adam at the merch booth or roaming around after the set.

Adam sang in several choir groups and high-school bands while growing up in Ohio. With his falsetto voice kids at school would torment him and call him "Choir Boy". After moving to Provo, Utah for college Adam reclaimed the name Choir Boy and now wears it as a badge of pride. Paste magazine has named Choir Boy's album Gathering Swans one of the top 100 albums of the 2020s so far. Not too shabby! I'd say going on tour with AFI and getting to open for them on the Sing The Sorrow 20th anniversary show is pretty sweet revenge for anyone who gave Adam a hard time growing up. For 45 minutes Choir Boy had the room dancing with their dark synth vibes and jangly guitars. As I mentioned above if you like The Cure and The Smiths with a new twist Choir Boy is definitely a band to check out. They have a newly released single "I'll Always Let You Down" so hopefully a new album is in the works!

After Choir Boy I made my way to the photo pit with two cameras in hand. I normally just bring one camera but for AFI I was pulling out all the stops! I was so nervous going in. The whole week leading up to the show I was having dreams of forgetting my SD card, or my battery dying, all things that would be devastating to a photographer. I never get nerves before a show but this is AFI!! I wanted to make sure Davey and the boys were looking sharp in the photos.

As the house music changed to a moody organ and electronic drum beat the crowd started the famous chant from "Strength Through Wounding" Behind me I could hear "Through our bleeding... we are one!" I had already peeped the setlist and unfortunately AFI would not be opening with "Strength Through Wounding", maybe someday I'll get to see it live! As the lights went out the band kicked into "Girl's Not Grey" from the 2003 masterpiece Sing The Sorrow. Davey stepped forth in his best punk rock Jim Croce look. Every few years Davey changes his style but this latest look is wild. He's grown out his hair into puffy curls with braids going down the back and the burliest mustache this side of the Mississippi. Even with the new unconventional look he commanded the room's attention as he spun around the stage. Jade and Hunter swapped back and forth stepping onto the platforms and singing backup vocals. Adam posted in the back and kept the rhythm so tight, as he should, he's a seasoned pro!

After "Girl's Not Grey" AFI busted out "Love Like Winter" from 2006's Decemberunderground and the crowd went wild! Davey lifted the mic stand over the crowd as everyone sang along. Decemberunderground is getting the 20-year treatment with a new vinyl release. The special edition one comes with a bonus 7-inch of b-sides. I believe it's limited to 2,000 copies so act fast!

Moving into a newer song from Silver Bleeds The Black Sun AFI played "Holy Visions" and the crowd ate it up. The new album leans towards a much darker gothy vibe. Davey crouched down and swooned the crowd in his lower register "When the pen hides from my hands, it leaves me free to keep digging, underground there is a man, ever glowing, calling me home". As Davey hit the chorus of "Holy Visions!" he leapt into the air leaving everyone in awe. For a guy in his 50s he's still in amazing shape and has energy for days! AFI is still one of the most exciting live bands you could ever hope to see. All four members Davey, Hunter, Jade, and Adam do such a great job bringing their old school punk rock energy to every performance. They still sound as amazing as the first time I saw them so many years ago.

Throughout the set we were gifted so many nuggets of AFI history. While the band did play several cuts from the new album they threw in lots of throwbacks like "Of Greetings and Goodbyes", "Darling I Want To Destroy You", and "The Boy Who Destroyed The World". In another twist AFI played "Miss Murder" before the encore! I really appreciated this. The song is a banger, but I've seen them close with it many times. On the Hardlore podcast Davey even joked that "Civilians know us from Miss Murder". As a die-hard fan I want all deep cuts!

My absolute favorite was the second to last song "Days Of The Phoenix". That "whoa-oh-oh" chorus is classic AFI and brings a smile to my face every time!

By the end of the show the house was packed with fans. As the band closed with "Silver and Cold" the room was singing along to every word. Davey lifted the mic stand in triumph and let the crowd sing it back. It was such an awesome sight, I hope the band remembers it the next time they are making their touring route. Omaha loves AFI!

If you missed this show the band has one last stop on their tour at First Avenue in Minneapolis on Saturday May 2 for anyone looking for a last minute road trip!

Thanks so much to Mammoth Live for photo access.

Thanks for reading and we'll see you at the next one!