UNDEROATH / STATIC DRESS / JOHNNY BOOTH – THE PALLADIUM
By Mia Palazzo
The Worcester Palladium is no stranger to heavy music, and on September 27, the venue hosted a powerhouse lineup featuring Johnny Booth, Static Dress, and headliners Underoath for the 20th anniversary of their album They’re Only Chasing Safety. The night was filled with electrifying energy, from the chaotic stage dives to the immersive light show that kept the crowd in a frenzy from start to finish.
Johnny Booth opened the night with a blistering set that set the tone for what was to come. Hailing from Long Island, Johnny Booth has become a familiar face at the Palladium, and the crowd’s enthusiasm was palpable as they launched into their opening track, “2040”. Songs like “The Ladder” and “Ring Light Altar” had the audience headbanging, while the band members grooved along with their instruments.
Despite a few challenges with the vocalist’s wired microphone, which tangled as he sprinted across the stage, the band didn’t lose their momentum. Johnny Booth finished strong with “Deepfake”, where the vocalist jumped down onto the barricade, screaming the lyrics with the crowd, leaving an unforgettable mark on the audience.
Next up was Static Dress, a UK-based band that has quickly made waves in the post-hardcore scene. With their enigmatic stage presence and dynamic sound, Static Dress delivered a captivating set. Their opener, “Disposable Care”, immediately caught the crowd’s attention, especially with their guitarist dressed in a mask and cloak, adding an eerie vibe to their performance.
Vocalist Olli Appleyard, sporting a crop top and makeup, commanded the stage with raw emotion, especially during tracks like “Sober Exit(s)” and “Push Rope”. The crowd couldn’t get enough, with waves of crowd surfers and mosh pits forming throughout the set. “Courtney, Just Relax”, featuring World of Pleasure, was a standout moment, and as they closed with “Sweet”. and “Clean”., the energy in the room was electric. Static Dress proved why they are one of the most exciting acts in the post-hardcore genre today.
Finally, the night’s main act, Underoath, took the stage, and the crowd was ready for the chaos to unfold. As one of the most influential metalcore bands of the 2000s, Underoath brought their signature blend of heavy riffs and atmospheric melodies to the Palladium, playing their iconic album They’re Only Chasing Safety in full. The show began on a somber note, with vocalist Spencer Chamberlain emerging on a dimly lit stage, sitting on a couch to perform “Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape”. It was a haunting start, with the entire room falling silent before the energy skyrocketed with “Young and Aspiring”.
The crowd went wild as the band ripped through fan favorites like “A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White” and “Reinventing Your Exit”, with massive amounts of crowd surfers keeping the security staff scrambling. The band even invited five lucky fans on stage to sit on the couch during “Reinventing Your Exit”, giving them a bird’s eye view of the chaos.
As the set continued, the intensity only grew, with tracks like “It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door” and “I’m Content With Losing” creating a tidal wave of moshing in the pit. Between songs, the band took a brief moment to celebrate bassist Grant Brandell’s birthday with a champagne pop from the drummer, adding a lighthearted break to the otherwise relentless set.
The encore was nothing short of spectacular. Underoath came back with a vengeance, delivering newer tracks like “Teeth” and “Breathing in a New Mentality” with as much passion as their classics. One of the highlights was “There Could Be Nothing After This”, which they played live for the first time on tour, much to the delight of the crowd. As the night came to a close with “Writing on the Walls,” the Palladium erupted, with one last wave of crowd surfers and flashing LED lights illuminating the room.
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