A Review Of Differing Opinions From The In This Moment Performance At The Rust Belt

It's rare that I write a concert review.  But, as suspected, In This Moment at The Rust Belt was a polarizing show.  So I wanted to give my opinion.  And this is just that.  My opinion.  Some people have already told me it was one of the top shows of the year.  Some people left early.

I think most people feel like it was somewhere in the middle.

The Best Part Of The Night

It doesn't matter what show it is, the best part of the night is always you.  So good to see so many of you last night.

Here are some more pictures in a crudely made collage.

Lot of smiles.  Lot of happiness.  Lot of what I love to see.

What About The Opening Bands?

The best part of all the opening bands was the drummer for the opener Nathan James.  The drummer, Tommy, is also the drummer for New Years Day.  Right when he walked on stage I was like "Hey I just saw that guy!".  And once again he killed it.

Beyond that, Nathan James and Mike's Dead are two bands that have their own sound and if you like that sound and spend time with them you might really get into them.

There were a lot of people excited about Kim Dracula.  I went in knowing nothing about the band.  If you take 80s new wave, metal, and goth you kind of have Kim Dracula.  They can perform for sure!  And great vocal range.  Just would like to hear the range more often.

We "Saw" In This Moment At The Rust Belt

There was hope.  Hope that things have changed with the band.  However, they still love their smoke.  It was better than last time for sure.  But, when Maria stands in the back and the stage is backlit there are a lot of shadows when standing farther back in the venue.

If you were closer you could get a good view and some good pics like the one above.

This is not a venue issue.  This is a band issue.  I was told that the tour knows it's a problem but it's what the band wants.  The Rust Belt had on the fans, the air, and the vents to try and help...but with the amount of smoke machines, they could only do so much.

Things started OK, then got worse, then got better.

Many people didn't mind at all.  One rocker told me on the way out, "I'm not angry."  However, another who left early told me, "I want to see the costumes", which is a good point.  It's a very visual show.  And it's hard to see the visuals.  Don't expect that to change anytime soon.

A Concert Is About Sound.  How Did In This Moment Sound?

They sounded perfect.  A little too perfect.  I get that bands use backing tracks but it seemed excessive to me.

As somebody who wears earplugs (not an endorsement but it's eargasm earplugs), I hear every show at every venue way clearer.  I highly recommend them to any concert goer and especially frequent concert goers.  Not just so you aren't deaf in 40 years, but to hear the music better.

And with those plugs in the band, and her vocals sounded recorded quality.  If that is the case without backing tracks, then she and they are amazing and I want to see it more and really see it with less smoke!

I don't know how she can sing like that every night while breathing in all that smoke.  I think a lot of us nonsingers today sound different after one night of it.

It Was A Performance And A Show!

Sometimes you go to concerts with 4 dudes standing on stage and just playing music.  And that can be great.  Other times it's a show.  In This Moment has evolved into a show.  The stage, the props, the costumes, the dancers.  It's a performance.

They played 13 songs in their 90-minute set which is only about 4-5 less than most bands that don't have 10 costume changes.  So hearing "Blood", "Sex Metal Barbie", "Sick Like Me", and other hits and deep cuts was great.  Getting the transition done faster would be great to fit a few more songs in.  But the spectacle of In This Moment is what the band wants for their audience.

After The Confetti Hit The Floor

When the last confetti fell and the crowd left I reflected on the show during the cold drive home.  And ultimately, it was still a fun night out with the I-Rock family.

I saw so many smiles from so many people and at the end of the day that is what matters.  I'm happy that so many of you left happy.  If you didn't leave happy, then you know next time it's not for you.  And that's ok too.  That is the beauty of freedom and rock.

See you at the next one...where you can see better:  DAUGHTRY AND SLEEP THEORY FOR THE I-ROCK 93.5 NOT SO SILENT NIGHT