Upon the frigid February night, hundreds descended to Allentown’s Crocodile Rock Cafe. Many (barely even old enough to get a learner’s permit) were clad in a mixture of torn fishnets and cakes of black eyeliner. What could all of this commotion be about? Well, if you were survey any of the many huddled together in line, they’d probably say they’re going to church. But what in heavens’ could they of meant by that? Well, today is the Allentown stop of the Black Veil Brides “The Church of the Wild Ones” headlining tour in support of their recently released third studio album Wretched and Divine: The Story of the WIld Ones. Technically, it is Sunday, isn’t it?
Supporting the BVB was William Control (the electronic alter-ego of Aiden’s Wil Francis). In a bishop’s robe, Wil ascended upon the stage with a lit cigarette in hand. With two large spotlights placed on opposite ends of the stage, he was illuminated in washes of red and blue. As the darkwave begins, the stage strobes began to flash to the music’s rhythm. Wil, being a veteran of the stage, warms the audience to a very theatrical performance. His short set played through cuts from his 2008 debut Hate Culture, to his recent release Silentium Amoris.
Finally, the night comes to what everyone came here to see. As the Black Veil Brides took the stage, the deafening roar of the SOLD OUT crowd reaches decibel levels that would shame even the loudest jet engine during takeoff. These guys demonstrates that they were true pros at what they do. They know how to play to the cameras and to the crowd. Unfortunately, it seems as if sound issues seem to haunt them wherever they go. Just a month prior, they experience microphone issues when they performed at Philadelphia’s Trocadero Theatre. Again, the same occurrence rears it’s ugly head. With dead batteries on their wireless mice, to constant feedback noise, frontman Andy Biersack, is left to positioning himself dead center most of the night. Luckily most of the issues were resolved before the night’s end.
Having seen William Control a few months prior in support of The Birthday Massacre’s tour, I had an idea of what I was in for. But having never experienced a Black Veil Brides show, it was exciting and refreshing getting to photograph professionals who knows how to play to the cameras. Often times, the musicians never acknowledges the cameras that are directly in their face. But for the guys in BVB, they play to them. I might not be a fan of their music (though I thought the Wretched and Divine was one of the better releases of Jan’13), I would definitely photograph them again if given the chance.
neostar//media 