Hawthorne Heights
Nine songs was all Hawthorne Heights needed to make the night feel like a flashback to 2004. Opening for Chiodos on the All's Well That Ends Well 20 Year Anniversary Tour, Wellmont Theater was buzzing with throwback excitement only a reunion tour can bring on November 23rd, giving fans exactly what they've been waiting for. This North American tour spans just November and December with Emmure, holy water, and Big Ass truck filling out the rest of the bill.
New Jersey was an unforgettable stop on the tour, with a heavy alternative scene and die-hard fans, the show was destined to be electric from the moment the doors opened. Beginning the set with “Pens and Needles” and “Dandelions” was exactly what was needed to warm this crowd up, as fans crowd surfed their way through the noise, hands raised in unison. Frontman JT Woodruff wasted no time showing his appreciation for the crowd, smiling while joyfully dancing and spinning with Matt Ridenour (bass) and Mark McMillon (guitar), with Chris Popadak (drummer) matching the energy in the back the whole time with a grin that never left his face.
“This Is Who We Are”, “Constant Dread” and “Saying Sorry” all packed a punch with crushing intensity. The band took time to express their dedication to advocacy for mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of checking in and taking care of friends and family before breaking into “The Storm” and “Hard to Breathe”.
Closing out their set with their classics “Niki FM” and “Ohio Is for Lovers” gave the nostalgic fix fans had been craving before Chiodo's set. With the anticipation high for the headliners, Hawthorne Heights lit the crowd up one more time for an incredible finale, raising voices louder than the band, giving the pit a chance to explode one last time.
Photos & Review by Bek Allegretti
