Asbury Park, New Jersey is a city by the sea and arguably the premier destination along the Jersey Shore currently. It’s home to one of the most iconic venues in the Northeast if not the entire country, The Stone Pony. During the summer it hosts its annual Summer Stage and on what might have been the best night of summer weather wise it had one of the best tours of the summer role through.
The New Jersey natives in Senses Fail opened the night up and did their home state proudly. As the crowd, which was literally wrapped around the block still funneled in they played all the familiar hits you’d expect to hear. From “Calling All Cars” to “Lady In A Blue Dress” before ending it with a very fun montage that included parts of “Down with the Sickness by Disturbed and “Bulls on Parade” by Rage Against the Machine.
On what was arguably the most perfect weather night of summer, The Used played a set list of what could’ve been labeled “The Best of The Used.” They opened with “Maybe Memories,” the first song off their debut album. Not only did the song set the tone for the evening but it also showed early that The Used has stood the test of time. When a song from 20 years ago still gets that kind of reaction, you know you’ve succeeded and made a lasting impact.
From there, the four-piece band played hit after hit including one of their newer singles: the very energizing and somewhat aggressive “Blow Me.” Frontman Bert McCracken encouraged multiple circle pits from the crowd before getting into some playful banter. Sick of hearing the crowd cheering for them, he instead went in the opposite direction: he insisted they be booed and greeted with a sea of middle fingers instead.
As the sun began to set on the Jersey Shore, The Used were beginning to light up. It’s almost impossible to mention The Used without referencing “The Taste of Ink,” which is the band’s first of many hit singles, and when it came on, it started the journey towards the finish line of their night. A fully engaged crowd sang along word-for-ßword before raising their middle fingers and booing to show their appreciation. Then, in one of the most unique closing songs I’ve witnessed, the band were able to manipulate their own song, “A Box Full of Sharp Objects,” with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to fit together. Flip-flopping from one to the other in perfect harmony, it was a fitting ending. It was figuratively and literally a moment of Nirvana.
Clearly, after 20 years of jamming, there are no signs of slowing down for the emo legends. Performing with flawless ease all night, they left the fans wanting more and announced they’re working on new music and will return. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
As the sun was all but down, Rise Against were wrapping it up on this wonderful New Jersey night. The sun had set, and we were now in the golden hour as the Chicago band came on strong, just ripping it from the start with “Prayer of the Refugee” and not stopping for a few songs.
In between “Ready to Fall” and “Collapse,” lead singer Tim McIlrath would give an insightful and empowering speech. He talked about revolutions, about how important they are, but you need to be careful of which you join. If someone is preaching their idea of a revolution that involves hate, homophobia, and racism, that isn’t one of the revolutions anyone should be partaking in. He talked about being part of revolutions that have a positive impact and are inclusive to everyone because we are all humans who deserve equal treatment.
Continuing on he concluded with how we should be living life dancing in parking lots and on beaches in New Jersey on a Sunday night. The speech received a very positive reaction; it was almost as if McIlrath had foresight into the future. Two songs later, during “Dancing for Rain,” he would abruptly stop the song midway to check on a fan interaction, living true to his words that he wanted everyone to take care of the person next to each other. After a brief delay, they would continue to power through a setlist that spanned their discography.
The Asbury Park show attendees were given a special bonus for their show that night. While on most other dates of the tour McIlrath would only bring out the acoustic guitar for one song, he decided to add “Swing Life Away” into the set that night, which brought an unanimous cheer of excitement throughout the crowd.
Rise Against were the showmen we’ve all come to expect. Playing each song with equal parts passion and intensity, they closed out the night with “Give It All” followed by a two-song encore. The encore featured “Survive” and “Savior” and was the perfect ending to a perfect night.
See you in the pit.
Words by Juice Menendez / Photos by Crisanne Glasser
The Used
Rise Against
Senses Fail
