Author: Primož Novak
Venue: Kino Šiška / Ljubljana / Slovenia
Concert date: 10.03.2017
Attendance: 600
Ticket price: 25€/28€
The big ride of English boy-band-style quintet Asking Alexandria is still going strong. When they first visited Slovenia in 2013, they more than filled the summer stage at Gala Hala in Ljubljana. Two years later vocalist Danny Worsnop left the band, and for a short while Denis Stoff filled in and recorded the album The Black. Stoff stepped into Worsnop’s shoes decently enough, but for many he just wasn’t the right fit. Another switch followed, and Worsnop came back after trying to earn his bread with a solo career in the meantime. Asking Alexandria could only head out on a European tour with their fingers crossed.
At first there didn’t seem to be much of a crowd outside Kino Šiška. Even the parking lot was half empty. But inside, a completely different story was unfolding. The space in front of the stage was swarming with underage fans of the band. There were a few parents too, keeping an eye on their kids. The whole thing felt a lot like the RBD concert at Tivoli a few years back, or like some boy band such as One Direction and the like.
Asking Alexandria brought two promising bands along for the ride. First to warm up the crowd were England’s Silent Screams, who showed a slightly more aggressive side of metalcore. The extra flourishes came from the bassist, who contributed catchy vocals. There was some melody in the mix too, which softened the heaviness. Silent Screams didn’t have the best sound, but judging by what they played, the band blended aggression and tenderness solidly, even if for metalcore connoisseurs they don’t offer anything new. Still, their energy deserves credit, since the first support act often plays its set on pure routine.
With America’s The Word Alive, the music got more melodic and singable. The sound improved as well, and the crowd response was even better than for the opener. The Word Alive, who introduced themselves to Slovenian fans last year as support for Parkway Drive in Maribor, won people over again this time, even though the singer’s voice sounded tired at times. Overall, the performance was energetic, and the banter with the crowd was more than up to par. You could tell The Word Alive put a lot into their show. They definitely have a knack for melody and choruses, which some in the crowd were visibly singing along to. The Word Alive were romantic, perfect for Valentine’s Day or a rom-com. There wasn’t any real heaviness up front; the band would rather lean on emotion.
At around 10:30 PM Asking Alexandria took the stage. The crowd was jumping wildly from the very first beat, and the band put on a proper show in the style of the big rock names. You can’t complain about the sound, and the lighting deserves special praise, as colorful as a tulip exhibition. With their heavier opening songs, Asking Alexandria showed off their great form, tightness, and experience. In the calmer numbers, vocalist Danny Worsnop really shone and proved his vocal chops. To win the crowd over even more, Worsnop also picked up a guitar and took the set to an emotional peak with the ballad-flavored Moving On. As befits a real show reminiscent of some of the big names in hard rock, there was of course plenty of crowd banter and a short drum solo in between. At times it felt like the music was secondary, with getting the crowd going taking center stage. Asking Alexandria aren’t discovering anything new with their music. It’s all carefully calculated. The songs stand out with catchy choruses, while the distortion and punchy rhythm section make sure the crowd goes wild, and they welcomed the band more than warmly. The first half of the hall was so packed that you could stroll calmly around the back half. In a good hour and twelve songs, Asking Alexandria offered a cross-section of the first three albums featuring Worsnop on vocals, while leaving their latest release aside.
Asking Alexandria blew us away a second time. They managed to stretch their setlist, and with their great form they showed that the years aren’t catching up with them just yet. The band can look forward to a bright future, even if it feels like they’ve already hit their peak …
photos: Klemen Udovč
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