From small fish playing their 2016 E.P. at a Warped Tour 11am set to Grammy Award winners, Movements returned to Houston for a House of Blues show with much more experience under their belt than the first time they graced the city.
The band has been touring in support of their latest record RUCKUS! For a hot minute. Now on their final North American leg before heading back into the studio, they’ve got the order of events down to a tee.
The band took their places in front of lighting reminiscent of an analog tv, down to the static green undertones and shades of cyan and magenta used in the lights overhead. True to their post-hardcore roots, their entrance and attire for “Afraid to Die,” was no-frills. The crowd had already been primed by a solid lineup consisting of Downward, Scowl and Citizen. Despite putting in energy to each act, they proved they still had plenty to give in welcoming Movements. However, lead singer Patrick Miranda thought they could do more.
“I’m loving the energy so far,” Miranda said. “And I know that you’ve been standing here for a while, and that there’s been three other bands in front of us and you’ve given them a lot of energy too. So my question for you Houston is; do you still have some energy left? I need everything you’ve fuckin got!”
“Lead Pipe” followed, with Miranda leading a surge of movement during every chorus. The beginning of the show naturally relied heavily on RUCKUS!The band seemed to have evaded the classic ‘I liked their old stuff better’ attitude of the crowd’s energy by which they snagged back every word is anything to go by.
They say that to get to know someone, put them in a stressful situation. When “Fail You” was plagued by some sound issues, Miranda laughed. He shrugged at bassist Austin Cress as a lighting-quick tech fixed the problem before the second chorus. The band wasn’t about to play a show without paying homage to the songs that paved the way.
“This is the final American leg of the RUCKUS world tour, and we’ve had a fucking blast over the last couple of years playing these songs,” Miranda said. “Hey, just cause this is the Ruckus Tour doesn’t mean we’re not going to play some old songs for you. Do you want to hear some old songs?” The mass screamed in affirmation.
The crowd’s vocal response turned into sheers as Cressey played the first notes of “Full Circle.” Fans were exceedingly loud as they sang along, surging forward as if they were starving for an extra decibel of sound, almost looking like ants crawling over each other under the red and indigo lights.
Crowdsurfurs started up in earnest during “Colorblind,” but had to pause the next song. Some of the band’s top layers of clothing start to come off during “Love Took The seemed to take the slowed-down tempo as an opportunity to rest a little before the homestretch. Songs like “Kept,” a real throwback to the Outgrown Things E.P. days, kept the crowd moving as if they were 17 at a Walter’s punk show again, making sure each poor member of security earned their paycheck twice over.
Drummer Spencer York seemed to fare fine in a t-shirt, hair blowing behind a large fan. He made playing tracks like “Third Degree” look easy, and perhaps that’s some of the majesty of his drumming. He knows how to listen to a song and fill it with what it needs. His style is deceptively digestible but only comes off after years of practiced technique.
As the show neared its end, Moments took a swing back to RUCKUS! With a very pointed introduction, in case anyone was too busy listening to the music to get the lyrics. “This one’s for that fascist motherfucker in the White House,” Miranda said. “I hope you choke, b*tch.”
Ira George opened “I Hope You Choke!” With some fast, clear chords before the rest of the band joined in, the Houston crowd clearly the right audience by the audible welcome they gave the song, singing along like an angry prayer as security fought to not drop the influx of crowd surfers.
Graciously, the band didn’t play the encore game, Coeur d’Alene sees some people take it as the classic slow song to get a snack to, but hard-core fans scream and push forward. This pretty little number was folowed by “Deep Red,” then “Daylily” as the closer.
As someone that has proudly attended every Houston Movements show since the E.P., it’s a beautiful feeling to see so many people packed together, rocking out to “Daylily,” many seeing Movements for the first time when you go back and rememenber them on a tiny stage at Warehouse Live, so close you could read their media badges. It incites a sense of satisfation, seeing how they’ve grown in musicianship and command of a stage. Houston’s looking forward to seeing what they bring next time around.
I am a multimedia journalist with a passion for guitar-based music – be that rock-n-roll, bachata, or anything in between. When not in a mosh pit, I can be found knitting, collecting CDs, thrifting, journaling, or attempting to incite chaos among feuding global powers. I hold a bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism and a masters degree in Mass Communication from the University of Houston, making me twice the Coog you'll ever be 😉
I am a Houston-based photographer who has been attending concerts since MP3 players were a thing. I graduated from the University of Houston in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in advertising. In my free time, you can find me headbanging at hardcore/rock shows, collecting movies, and training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu!
