On July 11th, I See Stars began their headlining tour at Zydeco in Birmingham, AL, with support from Elijah, Attack, Attack! and Brothel. With such an interesting mix of genres for the openers, it's no wonder that I See Stars themselves are a powerhouse of mixed genres and styles that create an electric atmosphere at any show they attend. I've had the pleasure of seeing I See Stars open twice before, but this was my first time seeing them headline, and they completely blew me away with their energy and stage presence. The moment they stepped on stage, the mood in the room became charged as the opening chords to "Running with Scissors" began.
Before their set, the crowd had been moving in and out of the room, but once they started, the venue was packed with cheering fans. The energy of the crowd was well matched by the dynamic performance from each band member. They were in constant motion, especially vocalist Devin Oliver, who bounded across the stage, leaping on and off the platforms at the front.
Lighting is always an important aspect of any show, and it's clear that I See Stars understands this perfectly. Their expertly crafted light show enhanced their music, with each color choice matching the theme of the song. Additionally, the use of strobes during more emotional moments added an extra intensity to the performance.
The set list was a great mix of their discography from when they began in 2009 to their more recent releases, appealing to fans both old and new. In fact, during a touching moment between songs, Devin Oliver thanked everyone for their unwavering support over the years, stating, "I don't care when you became a fan--the beginning, the middle, or the end, or just right now. Thank you for giving us a chance. " He went on to mention that he always enjoys being onstage, but it's especially fun when the audience is giving energy back, and that Birmingham was giving it. The crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers.
Soon enough, a pit opened up, and throughout the night, it grew bigger and bigger. Then, excitedly, before playing their last song, "Anomaly," Devin Oliver encouraged everyone to try crowdsurfing if possible (since the ceiling was so low!), and before we knew it, there came one surfer after the other. For one final exciting surprise as the song came to its last chorus, the vocalist himself leapt onto the barricade and had the crowd lift him into the air, where he surfed across the audience before landing back on the stage and thanking everyone for coming.
It felt like their set was over far too soon, but it sure was an impactful one. I See Stars has an excellent stage presence that you won't want to miss!
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