All Time Low - O2 Academy, Glasgow - 13th January 2012 (Live Review)
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Written by Emma Robertson
Since forming in Baltimore 9 years ago All Time Low have slowly but surely risen through the ranks of aspiring pop-punk bands to come out on top. After joining Interscope records and releasing their first album 'Dirty Work' with the label it was clear they had improved musically but the question was if their live show would follow suit. Any prior doubts of their ability were soon put to rest.
The first band to kick off the proceedings was up and coming New Yorkers 'We Are the In Crowd'. A number of audience members in the crowd sang along to most of their set which makes it apparent this band aren't as unknown as many would think. Upbeat and catchy numbers made them well received by audience members but the biggest cheer of their performance came from an expected new singer. Lead singer of All Time Low, Alex Gaskarth joined the band onstage to sing 'Kiss Me again' which sparked a wave of cell phones to appear in the air. Arizona natives The Maine brought a calm and collected vibe to the crowd with their impressive setlist which again a majority of the crowd sang along to. They led the way gracefully for the main acts stage set up to begin.
Halfway through the stage set up 2 people took centre stage to talk to the crowd about 'Skate 4 Cancer' and 'Invisible Children'. All Time Low have recently captivated a whole new audience and it seemed as though they used their popularity to help charities which reached out to the age range of the audience. Their appearance didn’t end as seriously as they began a crowd chant of "Fall Out Boy!”
It became clear after an impromptu rendition of 'Living on a Prayer' that this crowd were ready to have a good night; to have one big party alongside the band members. Finally the lights went out and the O2 Academy maximum capacity audience produced a string of deafening screams and a chant to welcome the band. All Time Low exploded onto the stage with a riling performance of their newest single 'Time Bomb' which the frenzied crowd welcomed with open arms.
Not once did the energy of the crowd settle throughout the entirety of the concert with the band mixing up the setlist with favoured tracks from their latest album way back to their first EP Songs such as 'Guts', 'Lost In Stereo' and 'Poppin' Champagne' were highlights of the night and were the most embraced songs of the evening. In the intervals between songs the band did not let the pace slow down, they kept the crowd entertained with humorous banter between all 4 members and the crowd. The fact that they themselves are close in age with most of the fans makes their flair with performing seem effortless. This aspect paired with an extraordinary and perfectly timed light show by Jeff Maker made it a visual and musical spectacle.
The absolute pinnacle of the concert came directly before the encore when Alex Gaskarth blessed the stage with his sole presence and an acoustic guitar to perform 'Remembering Sunday'. A particular favourite with the fans it was dressed down to nothing but a band member and the crowd.
In a more relaxed fashion the crowd sang every word together in a way most practiced choirs can’t achieve. For most it was a hair-raising moment which was probably the most memorable. Finishing the set in traditional fashion with 'Weightless' and 'Dear Maria, Count Me In' the crowd seemed more than satisfied and completely in awe at the improvements All Time low had made to their live show less than a year after their last appearance.
For being relatively new to the world of mainstream music and bigger music labels it seems to have been nothing but a good move for All Time Low who despite their young age put on a show that rivals veterans with a whole different world of experience.
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It became clear after an impromptu rendition of 'Living on a Prayer' that this crowd were ready to have a good night; to have one big party alongside the band members. Finally the lights went out and the O2 Academy maximum capacity audience produced a string of deafening screams and a chant to welcome the band. All Time Low exploded onto the stage with a riling performance of their newest single 'Time Bomb' which the frenzied crowd welcomed with open arms.
