Closing down their North American leg of the Phantom Five tour, AWOLNATION comes back to their hometown to shake the stunning walls of DTLA's historic Belasco, a former church turned theater.
Bryce Fox was tasked with being the opener and he handled the job with ease, delivering an amazing set. A good chunk of the audience seemed to not be very familiar with Bryce at the beginning of the night, but by the end it felt like the majority were converted into fans. His voice is incredibly rich, effortlessly moving from deep, resonant lows to the impressive highs, mixed with the masterful instrumentals from his band. It’s clear he’s an artist you’ll want to keep on your radar.
(View our past interview with Bryce here: An Exclusive Interview with Pop-Rock Sensation Bryce Fox)
AWOLNATION is one of those bands that when you hear their song somewhere, you inevitably start nodding along or humming the melody but rarely think about seeing them live. And what a big mistake that is! Because these guys know how to rock and roll and move the crowd. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, the lead singer was jumping and running around the stage with impressive stamina, and he kept the same momentum for the entirety of the show. His energy like windmill was electrifying the audience even at the farthest areas on the balconies.
The LA native Aaron has a unique presence, his choppy yet theatrical movements, like a magician hypnotize you and keep your attention fully on the stage. The live sound slightly differs from studio versions, it's more gritty and heavier on guitars that only amplifies the power behind their performance.
Half of the set consisted of their first album Megalithic Symphony, while the other half was a mix of Run, Phantom Five and Angel Miners and the Lightning Riders.
Toward the end of the night, the lights dimmed and two mirror balls began to spin from either side of the stage, casting a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors across the venue. It created an incredibly magical atmosphere, especially surrounded by the intricate architecture of the Belasco theater and was one of the highlights of the night.
The band came back for the encore but not before a little tease with the instruments. Lone guitar cords smoothly turned into a whole five minute solo from the lead guitarist, where he showcased his mastery of the instrument. The night ended with their most famous song, "Sail", and the fans loved every second of it, everybody was shouting “sail!” in unison, closing the thirty first and final night of the tour with a bang.
