Alkaline Trio + Lowlives @ O2 Institute 31st July 2024
Chicago-formed band Alkaline Trio have been back for a run of 10 dates in the UK and I was lucky enough to catch them in Birmingham. The band have not just one, but two lead singers – guitarist Matt Skiba and bassist Dan Andriano – which makes for some great harmonies and means you get the benefit of two frontmen to keep the atmosphere going between songs. Completing the trio is drummer Atom Willard who replaced long-time drummer Derek Grant in 2023.
Alkaline Trio are a pop punk band and you’ll probably like them if you like Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World or Rise Against. Alternatively you might have fond memories of them if you were a teen in the late 1990’s or early 2000’s when classic singles ‘Stupid Kid’ and ‘Private Eye’ were released. Both singles were played tonight and went down a treat. Other fan favourites were 2008’s ‘Calling All Skeletons’ and ‘Mercy Me’ from 2005 album Crimson.
This tour is showcasing Alkaline Trio’s latest album – Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs – so there were plenty of tracks from that record interspersed throughout the show. This included opening number ‘Hot for Preacher’, ‘Versions of You’, ‘Break’ and ‘Bad Time’. The standout live song from that record tonight though was title track ‘Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs’.
Tonight’s staging was simple with a big black logo backdrop and a few flower lights. The Institute was packed and there was no shortage of crowd surfers. The sound was pretty good too and Alkaline Trio’s performance was polished. I particularly enjoyed the rendition of ‘Sadie’.
Apologies for conforming to a British stereotype, but I’ve also got to mention the weather! In almost 40-degree heat Matt and Dan managed to wear full suits throughout the 20-song show. Even drummer Atom managed to stay in a shirt and tie throughout – now that is commitment to the tour outfits lads! I was sweating buckets just leaning against a pillar in a vest and shorts. I hope you had somewhere cool to go after the show…
Moving on, tonight was the last night of the UK tour so there was some reminiscing and thank you shoutouts, in particular to support band Lowlives who were awesome! I enjoyed every moment of their opening set and they complemented Alkaline Trio well but with a harder edge, think Fenix TX crossed with Nirvana. Their debut album was released earlier this year and, from their set songs ‘LIAR’ and ‘LOSER’ stood out. They put in a dynamic performance and had some tight harmonies. I’ve listened to their album since the show and can’t wait to hear more of their previous singles and EPs.
The main part of Alkaline Trio’s show closed with 2005 classic ‘Time To Waste’ which has a captivating piano riff in its introduction. The band came back for a one-song encore ‘Radio’ which is one of their slower songs but went down a treat with the crowd singing acapella in the chorus.
Alkaline Trio Setlist
- Hot for Preacher
- We’ve Had Enough
- Take Lots with Alcohol
- Bad Time
- Versions of You
- Mr. Chainsaw
- One Hundred Stories
- Calling All Skeletons
- Cringe
- Break
- Armageddon
- Sadie
- Mercy Me
- Warbrain
- Crawl
- Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs
- Stupid Kid
- Private Eye
- Time to Waste
…………………………….
- Radio
Review: Chrissie Duxson
Photographs: Ian Dunn
Check out our other reviews , album reviews, news and interviews