On May 1st, 2024, Asking Alexandria's "All My Friends" tour stopped at the Bluestone in Columbus, Ohio, with support from Memphis May Fire, The Word Alive, and Nerv. The lineup of bands is one to be commended, as each band's music brought something unique to the stage, while simultaneously complimenting each other's sounds.
Opening the show was Nerv, an alternative pop/rock band from Sacramento, CA. Their seven-song set list included six already released songs, as well as an unreleased one called, "Fake," my personal favorite of the set. It combined their currently established sound while also experimenting with some new beats. The crowd especially liked it too, as they jumped along and cheered as they performed.
Next up was The Word Alive, a metalcore band from Phoenix, Arizona. I've had the pleasure of seeing The Word Alive several times now, and they always put on a show full of energy with a great mix of old and new songs. Their members were incredibly interactive with the crowd between their constant jumping and energetic instrument playing. Vocalist Telle Smith's vocals were especially impressive as he expertly switched between clean singing and hard screaming that had the crowd shouting along. They played seven songs total, including "2012," which they opened the set to, "Nocturnal Future," which had the crowd bouncing with energy, and they closed with the catchy "One of Us."
After the Word Alive, Memphis May Fire, a metalcore band from Denton, Texas, took the stage to thunderous applause as they opened their set with fan-favorite song, "Make Believe." The crowd sang along to every word, and the energy in the room increased exponentially. Unlike the previous two performances, Memphis May Fire included C02 cannons as an extra effect to enhance their set. They used them sparingly, but when the cannons went off, it was during a pivotal moment of the songs, intensifying the moments spectacularly. Memphis May Fire played a total of twelve songs that included a great mix of their different styles of music. Towards the end of their set, vocalist Matty Mullins took center stage with an acoustic guitar and gave the audience an emotional rendition of their song "Miles Away." By the time they finished, the crowd was cheering for more.
Finally, it was time for the night's headliner to take the stage, Asking Alexandria, a rock group from the UK. If the energy in the room had been high before, that was nothing compared to the complete buzz that took over as soon as each member of Asking Alexandria made their way onstage. The crowd went wild as the opening chords of "Closure" rang out and the strobing light effects began. Matching the crowd in energy, the band members were dynamic as they flew across the stage and headbanged along to the song. Drummer James Cassels was especially entertaining to watch as he hyped the crowd up in between beats by raising his drumsticks over his head and shouting out. These antics only emboldened the crowd to move around even more, and soon enough, the first mosh pit of the night opened. About halfway through the set, vocalist Danny Worsnop brought out an acoustic guitar and told the crowd he would be slowing it down for a bit. Then, much to the crowd's delight, he began to play "I Want it That Way" by the Backstreet Boys. As if they'd been awaiting this moment their whole lives, the entire crowd sang along to the opening verse and chorus at the top of their lungs.
Despite having fifteen songs in their set list, the crowd's energy never waned. From the first song to the encore of "Alone in a Room," the crowd was bouncing around and singing along. Likewise, Asking Alexandria's entertaining performance never dwindled throughout the night. Their enthusiasm remained consistent for the entire show, and it was definitely impressive.
The "All My Friends" Tour is one you won't want to miss! If you have the chance to see it, make sure you do. You will not be disappointed!
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