The night got off to an exciting start before I even arrived at the show on Halloween night. My friends and I four-wheeled it over the curb of a parking lot onto a city street in the Ford Explorer to grab the perfect parking spot.
We were only in line for a short time ? made even shorter by the array of Halloween costumes to entertain us ? as we waited to get into the Harro’s East Ballroom for the sold out New Found Glory show.
The first opener band, Further Seems Forever, took the stage at approximately 7:30 p.m. and performed a set of about six or seven songs.
Previously unfamiliar with this group, I was not exactly impressed with them. But that might have had something to do with the echo that distorted the sound, making the vocals inaudible at times, throughout the entire show.
After a half-hour break Something Corporate took the stage, appearing in costume, with Andrew McMahon the best-dressed in his baby costume complete with a bonnet and diaper. Something Corporate performed a solid set, getting the crowd excited for the bands to come.
Just when I thought I couldn’t wait any longer for New Found to take the stage, the last and final opener, Finch, stormed on stage to perform a heavier, louder set, touching some of the more serious punk fans. Billy of Good Charlotte appeared, much to the delight of the crowd, for Finch’s final song, performing so well I wished I could go to his band’s up-coming show.
After much anticipation, New Found Glory finally took the stage at about 10:05. After the first song, Jordan commented on the echo I had noticed at the beginning of the first act. But that didn’t stop the band from putting on a great show.
Their crowd pleasing set included many songs from their most recent album “Sticks and Stones,” including a great rendition of “Sonny” honorably dedicated to the young victims of the sniper attacks.
The band created added energy to the crowd by mentioning a previous Halloween night performance in Rochester, making the next songs that much more exciting.
The audience was also in for a treat when New Found performed a cover of Peter Cetera’s hit “Glory of Love” which definitely hit home for children of the ’80s like myself.
The band left the stage after performing for only a little over an hour, trying to fool their fans into thinking the show was over. As a seasoned concert-goer, I noticed that the house lights still had not been turned back on. So I joined the screaming masses and eventually got what we all knew was coming ? an encore.
The band walked back out on stage and said they couldn’t end a show without playing “My Friends Over You,” a great song about a relationship that’s come to an end and the importance of friends.
All in all, the show was great. Despite the nearly painful anticipation while I was waiting to hear New Found during the openers, afterwards I was glad I got a chance to hear a few other bands.
I’m proud to report that the 20-hour recovery period required for my hearing to return to normal and for my ears to stop ringing after the show was definitely well worth it. That’s always the true test.
