While Kingston isn’t a famous tour stop, devoted fans make it the perfect spot for travelling bands.
On Oct. 2, Canadian punk-rock band Death from Above 1979 experienced fans’ fervour firsthand as they took the stage at the Ale House along with the opener rock band, Chastity. The popular duo stopped in Kingston before heading to the Biltmore in Oshawa on Oct. 3. With mosh pits and constant cheers, a crowd of around 200 people embraced the band’s energy, making the night memorable.
Chastity kicked off the evening by playing their first note at exactly 8 p.m., bringing the previously subdued crowd to attention. The audience didn’t seem familiar with Chastity’s music, but seemed to be enjoying it, nonetheless. Lead singer Brandon Williamsencouraged the crowd to get moving during “Free for All,” and the audience responded well, despite knowing very few lyrics.
The audience’s faltering energy may have been fueled by Williams’ lack of crowd work. Near the beginning of the set, he chose to face the band instead of the crowd during breaks from singing.
Once Williams opened up near the end of the set, the audience responded positively. During Chastity’s last song, Williams clambered off the stage and finished the song low and close to the crowd, banging his head along with them. The crowd fed off this interaction, setting the anticipation for Death from Above 79’s set at 9 p.m.
As more people filtered in late, it became clear many attendees arrived to see the main act alone. The area just below the stage was packed, leaving less room for people to move, but that didn’t stop the rocking crowd. Fans created space for themselves, forming a mosh pit in the middle of the crowd during the band’s first song, “Turn it Out.”
From the back of the pit, the crowd’s pushing and shoving may have looked like a fight had broken out. But despite the appearance of aggression, nobody was actually angry.
Everyone in the mosh pit seemed to be having a great time, clamouring at the stage toward the front, or else being used as a bumper near the back. One fan was lifted into the air to crowd surf, which Ale security immediately shut down. Even Death from Above 1979’s lead singer Sebastian Grainger told the audience he didn’t think Kingston could bring this much energy.
Grainger’s crowd work was strong. He recognized many faces, calling people out by name and telling stories about his connection to Kingston, like a make-out session on Ale’s top floor and his first time at the since-closed local gay bar, Club 477.
Death from Above 1979 returned for two encore songs after the crowd’s cheering demands. Grainger warned the crowd that the last song “Pull Out,” would be “at album tempo,” which was a blistering pace. The mosh pit returned for one last hurrah, the set ended, and the band took their leave.
Whether alone or with friends, all attendees seemed to have bonded through an evening of moshing and dancing to a band they love. The next time Death From Above 1979 comes through Kingston, fans will surely pack the house again.
Tags
Art, Concert, Death From Above 1979, Music, rock, tour
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