Sleeping with Sirens @ Marquis Theatre

Jenn Cohen | May 1, 2012 | 0 Comments

by Max Giffin Katie Schmoker
[email protected]

On March 4^th, a crowd of young music lovers sold out the Marquis Theatre to see popular post-hardcore band Sleeping With Sirens headline a show with SECRETS, Conditions, and Abandon All Ships.

SECRETS opened the show by getting the audience involved with crowd surfing, mosh pits, clapping, singing, and swaying to the rhythm. The San Diego band recently released their first full length, The Ascent, on Rise Records. The album received 4.5 stars on iTunes making it a great success. While still new to the scene, SECRETS’ melodic and electronic hardcore has set them apart from others, and the band has been touring nonstop.

Conditions, a four-member band from Richmond, Virginia, played a more punk-rock sound. Easy-to-learn choruses about remaining tough and optimistic while facing adverse times had everyone singing along. Three-part harmonies highlighted the heartfelt lyrical content. Conditions played the most unique set with no screaming or metal influences. Their pop-punk sound appealed strongly to the younger generation in the crowd, making their set fun and lively.

Abandon All Ships turned the energy up by transforming the Marquee into a mix between a club and a hardcore metal show. Embracing all sounds synthetic, the band blended electronic and techno with driving riffs and screaming vocals, and finished the dual sound with clean pop vocals that often incorporate the use of auto tune. In a matter of seconds, the dance floor became a mosh pit, and then twisted back into a dance floor.

Sleeping with Sirens finished out the night with their brand of post-hardcore; highly praised, and lofty clean vocals, emotionally delivered lyrics, light electronic fills that highlight breakdowns, and poppy guitar work. The moment that their blue-eyed singer stepped on stage, the girls in the audience erupted in screams of excitement. Kellin Quinn, every teenage girl’s dreamboat, grabbed the room’s attention instantly and within seconds all hands in the audience reached out to touch his. Taking advantage of their first tour as headliners, the group took a moment to play three acoustic songs mid-set. This allowed Sleeping with Sirens to promote an acoustic EP, which they will release before playing Warped Tour this summer. Crowd favorites included “All my Heart,” “Fire,” “Trophy Father’s Trophy Son,” “Do it Now, Remember it Later,” and “Your Nickel Ain’t Worth my Dime.” The set ended with their most popular song “If You Can’t Hang.” Their set was so intense that several of the most passionate fans left the show in tears of happiness from seeing their favorite band.