Article and Photos by: Courtney Thomassen
Orlando, FL — Rise Against fans packed the House of Blues in Orlando, FL to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the group’s fifth studio album Appeal to Reason. Accompanied by Spiritual Cramp and L.S. Dunes, the Chicagoan punk rock band kicked off their North American tour earlier this fall.
First to take the stage was Spiritual Cramp, a rock band straight out of San Francisco, California, complete with a sound to match. Frontman Mike Bingham led the six piece through their set, which featured a number of songs from their recent self-titled LP. The band’s upbeat performance and especially spirited showing from Bringham rubbed off on the crowd, who danced and clapped along through the end of closing track “Better Off This Way.”
As the set changed over a large banner behind the stage unfurled to reveal the logo for L.S. Dunes, the second and final opener of the night. The band, which is a collaboration of scene veterans Anthony Green (Circa Survive), Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance), Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria), and Tim Payne and Tucker Rule (Thursday), returned to the House of Blues to a warm welcome from their Floridian fanbase. Their eight song set list included a mix of favorites from the 2022 album Past Lives and new releases “Fatal Deluxe” and “Machines.”
Excitement rippled through the crowd as the lights dimmed for one final time to signal the start of the headlining set. One by one Tim McIlrath (vocals), Zach Blair (guitar), Joe Principe (bass) and Brandon Barnes (drums) walked out in front of a backdrop with a large printed “RISE” before the opening notes of “Satellite” were met with cheers from the crowd. The lead single from 2011 album Endgame was a strong start to the set that had fans screaming along and clapping with McIlrath as he pulled out a megaphone to deliver the final chorus. Things did not slow down as the set continued with “Tragedy + Time” and “Give It All,” during which the vocalist climbed from the stage onto the barricade, shaking outstretched hands in the pit and taking the time to walk over to hug one fan with a sign asking for just that. Throughout their set the band made an effort to involve the crowd and, during the acoustic break, another sign request was granted when a fan was offered the opportunity to play guitar on stage with the band for “Hero of War.” “Prayer of the Refugee” rounded out the main set as a chant for Rise Against rang out throughout the crowd and soon the band returned for a three song encore. After “Audience of One” and “Black Masks & Gasoline,” CO2 cannons blasted and crowd surfers poured over the barricade for the finale, Appeal to Reason hit single “Savior.” Rise Against’s North American tour continues through late November, tickets for remaining shows and the band’s Spring European tour are available at riseagainst.com/tour.