This text is a part of of our multi-day protection of Louder Than Life 2023. When you landed right here with out studying the opposite days recaps, examine Day One and Day Two and Day Three.
Within the latest aftermath of what may very well be finest described as probably the most steel days of Louder Than Life’s 2023 run, the query of how the ultimate day will shut issues out was probably on the minds of those that get pleasure from their rock-hard and metal-heavy music. The ultimate hurrah of this large 4-day marathon of alcohol, meals, and music would in flip circle again to a extra eclectic take of what the primary day needed to supply, being dominated by a mix of onerous rock, pop-rock, hip-hop, and punk outfits. The milder climate that greeted the seas of devotees on September 24, 2023, may very well be likened to the musical outcomes that have been to unfold, cooler and extra inside the consolation zone of those that get pleasure from a extra radio-oriented type of leisure. However, although pickings have been slim for the steel crowd, the silver linings that got here alongside have been ample to provide this principally off-the-hook pageant a correct denouement.
Following an early afternoon principally dominated by mainline pop and hip-hop artists, a powerful retro blues rock storm was brewing over on the House Zebra Stage courtesy of Lengthy Seaside, California onerous rock revivalists Rival Sons. Being no strangers to the stage whereas both on tour or that includes at one of many many rock festivals throughout the continental U.S., the core membership of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Jay Buchanan, lead guitarist Scott Vacation, bassist Dave Beste and drummer Mike Miley laid down an old-fashioned mixture of early 70s zest and late 60s psychedelic fuzz that didn’t falter. The lion’s share of the group work was dealt with by Buchanan and Vacation in a masterful, entertainer duo trend, whereas the previous’s Robert Plant-like hovering notes and wails melded completely with the latter’s Web page meets Hendrix mix of guitar wizardry, often flirting with the heaviness of Iommi‘s earliest concoctions with Black Sabbath. Whether or not it was established odes from yesteryear just like the groovy present nearer “Secret” and chunky rock machine “Open My Eyes”, or latest handiwork just like the enjoyable and tantalizing “Candy Life” and semi-regular 2023 tour fixture “Mirrors”, this outfit proved a raging hurricane on stage amid a day of principally passing breezes.
Not lengthy after a extra punk rocking vibe with a folksy, Celtic twist would maintain the vitality up over on the Loudmouth Stage, courtesy of Irish turned Los Angeles rabble-rousers Flogging Molly. In true showman trend, frontman and Dublin expat Dave King stole the present together with his fast wit and limitless bag of quips, taking a selected event originally of their efficiency of “The Hand Of John L. Sullivan” to yuck it up with a fan within the first row holding an indication studying “I would like a Guinness”; prompting him to reply “Who higher an individual to share a Guinness with!?” and continuing to strategy the sting of the stage and toss the person a beer can, who artfully caught it amid a sea of cheers. One other noteworthy second occurred proper earlier than leaping into their subsequent crackerjack efficiency of “A Track of Liberty”, when King requested the group to assist him salute Vladimir Putin and proceeded to guide them in flipping the hen with each palms. However amid the medley of jokes and good cheer was an equally competent efficiency by this large 7-piece folk-rock ensemble, and stellar renditions of upbeat Celtic punk brilliance like “Seven Lethal Sins”, “If I Ever Go away This World Alive” and an explosive finale that includes “What’s Left Of The Flag” have been the clear standouts.
Later one, simply prior to five PM and again on the House Zebra Stage the clock would appear to show again to the glory days of 90s ska-punk with the arrival of Los Angeles purveyors of this upbeat and lately revived artwork kind The Interrupters. From the opening, pop-drenched hook of “”Take Again The Energy”, it was fairly clear that extremely charismatic frontwoman Aimee Allen (whose musical exploits have been identified to us who frequented YouTube within the late 2000s) was working the present along with her extremely animated stage presence and distinctive voice, although her matching suit-clad band mates did their half to maintain the present animated with frequent jumps and dance-like actions, to not point out the frequent chime-ins by touring trombonist and keyboardist Billy Kottage including some tasty aptitude to the association. Among the many spotlight musical moments to grace their set was a mid-paced and semi-jazzy noir tackle Billie Eilish hit “Unhealthy Man” and a quicker and attitude-steeped tackle Bob Marley‘s “Decide Not”, although their authentic materials proved fairly enjoyable and eventful, significantly ultra-catchy banger entries that will have made Save Ferris sit down and take notes like “In The Mirror” and shutting blowout “She’s Kerosene”.
Preserving the vitality issue pressed to the max and arguably pushing the pedal by the steel on the identical stage, Maryland hardcore trustees Turnstile will enact one of many greatest crowd responses for the day. Having pushed their technique to widespread prominence and important acclaim over the course of their 13-year run with 5 EPs and three studio LPs to their title, to not point out 3 nominations on the 65th Grammy Awards, they have been no slouches throughout a kinetic dwell present, bringing a forceful model of conventional hardcore to the lots with a vengeance. The liveliness stage of your complete band was extremely palpable, with lead vocalist Brendan Yates and bassist “Freaky” Franz Lyons spending seemingly extra time within the air than on the bottom, whereas the mixed battery of Daniel Fang‘s equipment work and the riff proficiency of lead guitarist Pat McCrory and touring axe-mate Meg Mills culminated in a very meaty sound, which at moments could be punishing sufficient to make you consider Dave Mustaine had joined them for some riffing. Stand-out moments included ground-shaking renditions of their latest bangers and recipients of the aforementioned Grammy nominations “Blackout” and “Vacation”, whereas punchy performances of swift and fleeting beasts like “Limitless” and “Drop” have been no much less formidable, and definitely equally memorable.
With the onset of nightfall and the hegemony of each punk and conventional onerous rock having clearly been established to today, a well known establishment extra intently related to the latter would come to the fore as one of many headliners by way of the Loudmouth Stage in Queens Of The Stone Age. As a band that has ebbed and flowed over time, they got here to this event with a newfound sense of resurgence courtesy of the discharge of this 12 months’s In Instances New Roman, their first studio entry in 6 years. They introduced a powerful efficiency that afforded some stable Kodak moments, matched by a extremely elaborate stage setup together with a large LED gentle show within the type of an enormous pyramid simply above the band. The set did favor the most recent album with rocking renditions of “Carnavoyeur” and “Emotion Illness” that have been effectively obtained, but when crowd response was any indication, the excessive factors of their 13-song slough would lay with their opening foray with traditional 2000s hit “No One Is aware of”, their efficiency of “Make It Wit Chu”, which noticed them sneak in a snippet of The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You”, and the sonic onslaught of the stoner masterpiece – and present nearer – “A Track For The Lifeless” with drummer Jon Theodore ramping up the vitality to thrilling ranges behind his equipment, whereas Josh Homme‘s fuzzy and unnerving guitar supplied a masterclass of up-tempo rock and roll.
With the tip in view and the looming stroke of darkness, all eyes could be affixed upon the House Zebra Stage for the end result of the ultimate day celebrations, within the sendoff efficiency of pop punk revivalists and unquestionably legends in their very own proper, Inexperienced Day. From the standpoint of this outdated metalhead, there was no larger ambassador for the punk rock scene than these guys since The Ramones, and so they brilliantly matched their model of ultra-catchy and upbeat music with an elaborate stage present that stored all in attendance absolutely engaged. Be it the opening recording of Queen‘s “Bohemian Rhapsody” inspiring all to sing alongside earlier than the band even took the stage, or the hilarious drunk man in a bunny costume frolicking about on stage whereas “Blitzkrieg Bop” rang out of the audio system, it was a pure spectacle even earlier than Inexperienced Day themselves made an look after an intro theme made from a mashup of “Blitzkrieg Bop”, ” I Love Rock and Roll”, and “We Will Rock You”. Their common observe of bringing a fan on stage for considered one of their songs had attracted people from throughout, to the purpose that I sighted a front-row fan holding an indication that learn: “I flew from the UK to be on stage with you right now”.
When Billy Joe Armstrong and crew lastly did hit the stage, which had been closely modified for the occasion with an added catwalk for viewers entry, the extravaganza of lights and stage gimmicks that accompanied them was nothing in need of breathtaking. Pyrotechnics blared forth whereas they ushered in a well-known, but grueling 23-song set, that was set in movement by the opening riff of “American Fool” and included rock-solid performances of “Vacation”, “Boulevard Of Damaged Desires” and “Wake Me Up When September Ends”, a lot of it occurring early within the set. Their complete presentation was a stable illustration of the band’s wealthy historical past, tapping a number of compulsory hits from the 90s like “Basketcase”, “After I Come Round” and “Mind Stew” from the band’s authentic ascent to prominence within the 90s to large cheers, although the early underground punk bangers a la “Welcome To Paradise” and their whimsical cowl of Operation Ivy’s “Data” have been no slouches in bringing the noise, ditto their cowl of Kiss’ “Rock And Roll All Nite” and a snippet of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Loopy Practice” that was snuck into their efficiency of “Hitchin’ A Journey”. Confetti cannons bathed the viewers in warmth and paper throughout their set closure “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)”, the mellow melodies of the track serving as a powerful farewell for each their present and the pageant without delay.
When closing our protection for Louder Than Life 2023, I truthfully really feel that there is nothing new I can say that I have not expressed earlier than. On the threat of sounding like a damaged document, I have to once more verify that DWP Presents excellent and well-deserved reign over large music festivals in The States stays unchallenged. The still-fresh information of the large catastrophe throughout a comparable-sized occasion with completely different promoters makes us admire the distinctive effectivity of everybody concerned in these musical celebrations to a a lot larger diploma. 2023 broke final 12 months’s attendance document, and there is just one means 2024 will go down, which is by doing it once more: rocking tougher, quicker, and most significantly… Louder