80s post-punk band The Smashing Pumpkins make a come back less than a year later at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas.
Hypnotizing, overdriven riffs and powerful belting vocals leave the crowd in awe over American rock band Rival Sons. Opening with “Feral Roots,” the audience quickly gets caught in their bluesy melodies and strong vocals. Similar to Led Zeppelin’s music style and Greta Van Fleet’s vocals, they are easily a fan favorite. Although Rival Sons originated in 2008, it feels like stepping into a time machine traveling when listening to them. Lead vocalist Jay Buchanan first joins the stage with a round feathered hat and 70s sunglasses while guitarist Scott Holiday is seen playing a double neck guitar he named “serious black.” Adding to Holiday’s sophisticated look is his rockin’ Salvador Dali curled mustache. Rival Sons recently released Darkfighter on June 2nd and plan to release a new album, Lightbringer, on October 20 – leaving new and old fans prepared plenty of new music.
Post-punk indie rock band Interpol takes the stage and has fans running to catch the first song “Toni” from last year’s album release, “The Other Side of Make-Believe.” Three out of the five touring members were dressed in formal suits familiar to Arctic Monkeys attire on their current tour as well as wearing sunglasses. Interpol’s set included fan favorites, “Evil” and “Obstacle 1.” The crowd can be heard echoed throughout the venue singing over the band. Everyone of all ages seemed to be enjoying the music, including a family of four with two young children who were dancing in the isle. The bass and guitar heavy band is similar to The Killers and even had a Radiohead-esque guitar tone. The talent within this group is effortlessly good and absolutely worth listening as well as seeing live.
The lights black out and the pavilion of over 15,000 fans scream in pure excitement. The complex lighting begins to illuminate the stage as “ATUM” from their latest album blasts through the speakers. Moments after the stage fades in and out of light, silhouettes emerge from the dark. Finally, a shadow dressed in a trench coat appears mid stage. The crowd is left in astonishment by the build up. Once the lights reveal the band’s identity the pavilion shakes with exhilaration. Vocalist Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha talked back and forth between songs. Someone in the pit held their phone up to bring attention to the fact it was their birthday and Corgan and Iha jokingly talked about how they do not care if it’s their birthday playing along with their stage characters. They even talked about how they are sick of being referred to as a 90’s band and how they are basically a 80’s band which gave the crowd a good laugh. During “Ava Adore” the band surprised the crowd with an insane drum solo and dreamy distorted guitar.
After “Ava Adore,” The Smashing Pumpkins set the mood with an acoustic version of “Tonight, Tonight.” Corgan dedicates the song to everyone in the crowd with a thankful mindset. The switch from heavy dancing to light swaying united everyone as one. Coming back from the deep lyrical mantra, most know what is coming next and are ready to scream the first line of “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”. The whole production is so well put together, it could be considered a lightshow in itself. From the grunge tone to the perfect farming of the lights, the whole show was one worth remembering.
I am a Dallas-based photographer. I am social media manager and photographer for indie-rock band Laredo Two as well as writer and photographer for Prosper's online newspaper, Eagle Nation Online. I have always had a passion for anything music from playing shows myself (I play bass and guitar) to music photography. When I am not taking pictures or at a concert, I run a small jewelry business and work at a local guitar shop!
