Spring Fever Tour Review

With over 7,000 tickets sold the Spring Fever tour was in full swing in Hoffman Estates, IL at the Sears Centre Arena.  The show was originally going to be at the Congress Theatre, but with the show selling out in four hours and the fact that the venue was undergoing legal problems they decided to change venues.  Chicago hosted the biggest show to date of the tour. With only a certain number of floor wristbands half of the fans actually had to get seats in the upper sections, which usually never happens at a pop punk show.

The stage was set for a U.K. band You Me At Six, if you haven’t heard of them I have faith you soon will.  The band has toured everywhere and done numerous festivals such as Vans Warped Tour.  Most of the floor crowd was singing along to their songs including myself in the photo pit.  Around the second song a girl passed out and another one hurt, the band stopped their set to make sure they were okay, which I have never seen done before. Josh the lead singer also gave the crowd the band’s filled water bottles so no one else passed out, I was impressed.  They mentioned their first American show was in Chicago and that they would be back for a tour.  All while they were speaking; many girls in the audience were “swooning” at their accents. They played “Loverboy” which got the crowd moving and ending their set with “Underdog” having the entire arena screaming and singing along.

Mayday Parade was up next and they played the old favorites with my personal favorites “Jamie All Over” and “Oh Well Oh Well.” Derek was wearing a “Keep Your Head Up High Beautiful” shirt made by Skate4Cancer; if you haven’t heard of them check them out and all the great work they do! I can’t help but smile at the way Derek plays around with the crowd and the microphone. He also had his signature bracelets half way up his arm. Brooks their guitarist didn’t have his usual cowboy hat on sadly.  Vic Fuentes of Pierce The Veil even came on stage with the band to cover Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know.”  They put on a great lively set.

Pierce The Veil I have never seen live, I was really excited to see them perform.  The stage was set up like an alien carnival with black lights, smoke, confetti, and spinning gears.  The crowd was so incredibly loud it was so intense with the roar of them and the constant crowd surfers.  I was blown away at how smiley and engaging their bassist Jaime was.  “Hell Above” and “King For A Day” seemed to be the crowd favorites.  I honestly was astounded by the fact that it had been almost three hours and the crowd still had so much energy to give.  The band sounded better than on recordings.

All Time Low was set to take the stage with a Mickey Mouse doll on one side and a glass full of candy for their guitarist Jack on the other.  Crew member Vinny was on stage with an announcer’s microphone hanging down from the ceiling introducing the guys like they were going into a boxing match all coming out in matching warm up robes.  They opened up with “Lost In Stereo”  to Jack coming over and playing faces into my camera.  The stage banter of frontman Alex and Jack is some of the funniest and surprising things you will ever hear.  They were making a joke that House Of Blues got bigger and that Chicago is reproducing more fans.  Jack’s signature mic stand had ten bras attached to it after the first two songs.  Jack started booty popping and petting drummer Rian’s hair during the middle of a song.   During their stage banter they talked about a fan in a giant taco costume in attendance, the security guards that Jack wanted, and the awkwardness of street magicians whispering under their breath; to name a few topics.

During their set people fell down in the pit and they stopped their set during “Reckless And The Brave.”  They then told the crowd to pick each other up, they get a spanking, and to not lose any more contact lenses. They proceeded to play the last twenty seconds of the song to even louder screams.

Alex also talked about enjoying the moment and not taking pictures or videos just for one song.I was really impressed by that and most of the fans listened and just lost control which was refreshing to see.  The band broke out into “I Believe I can Fly” and “Thrift Shop.” The guitarist of Pierce The Veil; Mike come on stage and give his “bromance” Ryan roses.  During “Somewhere In Neverland” Alex was throwing guitar picks at a sitting Jack.

Honestly I was so impressed at each band’s set for different reasons I couldn’t pick a favorite even if I tried.  All Time Low wins for best comedy by far.  If you haven’t seen these bands live it’s much more insane than any Youtube video you can watch.  Be sure to check out the tour and these talented bands!