Concert Review: End The Madness Tour

by Cassie Florido
Nov 9, 2016
4 min read

On Nov. 4, Sleeping With Sirens embarked on their fall headline tour across the United States. The End The Madness Tour also features Waterparks, Tonight Alive and State Champs. After attending the first four shows of the tour, it is evident that this tour is one fans should not pass up.

To open up the show, the Waterparks trio, Awsten Knight, Otto Wood and Geoff Wigington, warm up the crowd with their pop-rock driven sound. Following the recent release of their debut album "Double Dare," the band mixes in new songs as well as a few older songs from their previous EPs. Despite the album being released on the first day of tour, many people in attendance sing along with the band.

Throughout the 25 minute set, Knight encourages the audience to sing along and wave their hands to the beat. Knight also takes the time between songs to interact with crowd, even having witty comebacks as fans yell compliments at the frontman. Waterparks keeps a steady, upbeat tempo throughout their set allowing the crowd to get a feel of what Waterparks is all about. As they continue to put on an electric set every night, it's no surprise that the line to meet the band after the show lasts several hours.

The next band on the bill is Australian band, Tonight Alive. Tonight Alive have put together a set list which appeals to long-time fans as well as people more familiar with their latest release, "Limitless." The band opens up their set by powering through up-tempo songs to get the crowd moving. The set then slows down as Jenna McDougall shows her vocal versatility as she performs "The Other Side" and "Waves."

Each night, Tonight Alive takes the stage for 35 minutes and performs an inspiring set. With their lyrics and McDougall's stage banter, the band encourages personal empowerment and emotional freedom. McDougall gives one more persuasive speech before the band closes their set with "Lonely Girl." Tonight Alive ends their set asking the crowd to put both middle fingers in the air to finish off their powerful set.

Next, pop-punk band State Champs takes the stage. State Champs is no stranger to touring. Therefore, whether they are the opening act or the headliner, the band knows how to deliver a memorable set. Many people in The Fillmore raise their hand as lead singer, Derek DiScanio, asks how many people are seeing State Champs for the first time. But by the crowds response, you would think this was a State Champs show.

State Champs play an array of songs from their two albums "The Finer Things" and "Around The World And Back." With fast-paced songs such as "Elevated" and "Secrets," the band fulfills their spot as direct support. With a few mosh pits opening up and crowd surfers in full effect, State Champs successfully gets the crowd ready for the headliner, Sleeping With Sirens.

As soon as the lights go out for the final act of the night, screams immediately fill the venue. The Sleeping With Sirens members run on stage as fire sparks light up the stage. The band opens up their performance with heavy-hitter, "Do It Now Remember It Later." Each member of the band takes the stage and gives an energetic performance during the entire set. The energy given from the band translates well to the audience, creating an unrivaled atmosphere.

The production is one of the highlights of the End The Madness Tour. With synchronized lights, fire sparks, and accompanying video on five screens, their production gives their set a complete feeling. The most impressive part of the production occurs when the band plays "Kick Me." Head shots of the band arise on the video screens at the beginning of the song. Each member of the band has a video head shot that shouts "kick" as the band powers through the song. The energy from the bands "Kick Me" performance carries the band as they move their way towards the end of their set.

Old and new Sleeping With Sirens fans will be pleased with the band's choice of songs. The set list features songs from all of Sleeping With Sirens' albums. Lead singer, Kellin Quinn, said that the name for the tour, End The Madness, refers to the end of an era for their latest album "Madness." Quinn explains to the crowd that this will be the last time the band play some of the older songs. Quinn hints the band will being working on a new album after the conclusion of the tour.

To close the set, Sleeping With Sirens plays their most notable songs "If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn" and "If You Can't Hang." Despite giving full energy the entire set, each member gives their all one last time to close out an exceptional set.

The End the Madness tour is just that, madness. The tour showcases rookie and veteran bands in the alternative music scene. From time to time tours have a weakness in the lineup, but that is not the case with this tour. Each band comes on stage and gives their own unique performance. But each band uses their time on stage to give the audience a tour they won't soon forget.

Don't miss out on this tour. The tour will be in a city near you soon on the following dates:

11/10 - Sayreville, NJ

11/11 - Baltimore, MD

11/12 - Huntington, NY

11/13 - Philadelphia, PA

11/15 - New York, NY

11/16 - Cleveland, OH

11/17 - Norfolk, VA

11/18 - Raleigh, NC

11/19 - Orlando, FL

11/20 - Atlanta, GA

11/22 - Dallas, TX