To give you some context, my last show was in New Heaven, Connecticut, before the pandemic. So I’ve travelled some distance to see the bands I love, and seen my fair share of show. But I can assure you, hands down, that this was my favorite show ever. And I didn’t even know Currents, Fame on Fire and INK before buying my ticket ! I bought it for Bad Omens. And boy did I not regret my decision ! Noah appeared on stage with his freshly cut perfect hair and his mysterious glove, singing every song as perfectly as the recorded versions. Even better, if possible ! They played TDOPOM first, wich was freshly released but I’d played it on repeat since the release, so I could sing (sing ? Yell most likely !) along and break all of my neighbours’ ears ! Next, they played Glass Houses, The Hell I Overcame, Mercy, Never Know, Limits and finished with Dethrone. I cried throughout Never Know, and couldn’t really stop after that. You don’t know how great Bad Omens sounds live until you’ve heard it. The live album impressed you ? Wait until you see it with your own eyes ! I have chills just thinking about it…
So now, the others. Approximately 3 days prior to the show, I made a playlist out of the setlists of the other dates on the tour to « learn » the songs from the other bands. I liked Monsters, Killed the Ache and Better Days from Currents, and the live version was pretty good. Not exceptional but then again I’m not their hugest fan and most of their songs don’t have enough clean vocals for my taste. Still, it was great, good job Currents, I’ll keep listening to these three songs and wait with excitement for your next releases.
For Fame On Fire… I must say I didn’t really enjoy it. Because their songs mostly get on my nerves, I don’t know why. I find their original songs very repetitive and their covers « meh ». However… when they started Numb…. Wow. The emotion of being in the middle of a crowd singing it’s heart out to the late Chester’s song… The goosebumps! That was awesome ! But I was anxious for the rest of the setlist to end so I could hear Bad Omens…
The Bad Omens part… I won’t repeat myself, but it was something else, seriously !!
Then came INK. I had 3 days of mostly driving (I came down from a work contrat in James Bay) to learn their setlist… and I knew it by heart, because I couldn’t stop listening to it. It’s crazy how varied their setlist is, from the groovy Ex-Mortis to the unexpected IT is the end. Every song was accompanied with a little act from an actress that dressed as different characters from horror movies while Spencer was holding the corresponding weapon of choice of the main villain wich inspired the song. The screens behind them was showing scenes, lyrics and images that made the stage very full and entertaining to watch. Going to a INK show is definitely an experience on it’s own. Before the show started they displayed a phone number on the screen, and texting it subscribed you to a list, and since then I receive periodically a texto with news from the band : new release of merch, the graphic novel, etc. Very clever, and it’s not too invasive. Good job to their marketing team !! They definitely gained a new fan.
Overall, this was an incredible experience and if you’re hesitant about seeing Bad Omens of INK live… please. Buy a ticket. You won’t regret it !!
