Saturday April 19th, on the eve of Easter, Bethlehem’s Sands Event Center was host to a unique tour.  Taking Back Sunday and The Used stopped by in the home stretch of their six week co-headlining tour.
Sleepwave ©2014 Henry Chung 06
Starting the show was Sleepwave, the new project from former Underoath frontman Spencer Chamberlain.  A heavy sound with hints of keyboards and some impressive drumming aside, there was little to distinguish the performance.  A major factor was that the vocals seemed to be tuned a little low.
Tonight Alive ©2014 Henry Chung 02
Australian pop punk band Tonight Alive took the stage next and drew heavily from their 2013 release The Other Side.  They offered up an energetic performance and surely made at least a few fans in front of a new audience.
The Used ©2014 Henry Chung 07
The Used was up next and came out to a stage full of discarded television sets rigged to a light system.  It was a semi-apocalyptic sight that suited the music well.  Things got underway in their hourlong set with “Cry” the first single off of their new album Imaginary Enemy.  From there, the song selection was a lot of what one would expect/hope for with a Used show.  The new songs (“Revolution” was also played) seemed to fit in nicely with the live show, indicating that much of the fairly divisive new album  could find a place in concert.
Taking Back Sunday ©2014 Henry Chung 12
Next up was Taking Back Sunday.  The classic lineup reformed a few years ago and their newest album Happiness Is provided a few highlights of the evening with things starting off to “Stood A Chance”.  “Flicker, Fade”, “Beat Up Car”, and “Better Homes and Gardens” were also represented.  Most of set focused on recordings by this lineup (Tell All Your Friends, Self-Titled and Happiness Is).  New Again was ignored completely while “A Decade Under the Influence” and the usual indispensable tracks from Louder Now were represented.  Prefer whatever incarnation of the band you want, but there is something special about the chemistry this combination of talent possesses.  Though they were running late, they made sure to end things with their biggest hit, “MakeDamnSure”.
The SOLD OUT show was a rousing success, proving that the two headliners, while having gone through some trials and tribulations, remain at the height of their powers.