The band performed in Stellenbosch on 2 May and in Johannesburg on 3 May. They were supported at both gigs by local metal band Facing the Gallows.
Facing the Gallows proved to be a great choice for a support act. They did what any good support act should do and got the crowd – which had previously been somewhat disinterested – amped up. The band’s short set was well-received and was clearly influenced by Asking Alexendria. They matched the international band’s standard and were confident in their performance.
The start to Asking Alexandria’s set was simple but powerful. Instead of a grand entrance, the band members simply walked onto the stage, picked up their instruments and wowed the crowd with ‘Don’t pray for me’, which, although it isn’t the best song on their album, was perfect to get the crowd going. The reaction from the fans near the front of the stage proved that Asking Alexandria don’t need a fancy entrance, but their set may have started with more of a bang had fans been given some kind of warning that it was going to start. The band started its performance much earlier than scheduled, and most fans were still outside stocking up on drinks when Asking Alexandria started their first song. The venue only started to fill up about three songs into the set, stifling what would have been an explosive start.
The standout songs of the night were ‘Breathless’, ‘Killing you’ and ‘Welcome’. ‘Breathless’ and ‘Killing you’ are two of the most emotional songs on the setlist and the band responded to the songs’ emotion and channeled this energy into their performance. ‘Welcome’ was the first song of the three-song encore. With its clean, simple introduction, the song is different from the band’s other work.
The band’s simple entrance strategy was projected to all aspects of the gig. The lighting, stage and venue were all simple. There was nothing dramatic about the concert – except for a few female fans running topless across the stage –and the musical performance was the only thing that wowed the crowd. At a pop concert, this might have failed dismally, but Asking Alexandria pulled off a performance that didn’t need any fluffing.
Even though the concert didn’t attract a particularly large crowd, the atmosphere was mostly good. The venue was a bit ambitious. The crowd never quite managed to fill the venue, and the hall was never much more than half full. The leftover space (great if you needed a break from moshing) dampened the atmosphere.
Many fans chatting among themselves remarked that they hoped that Asking Alexandria’s visit to South Africa would spark performances from other metal views.
Photo: Carly Twaddle
