Concert Review: I See Stars, Johannesburg South Africa, 2018

I See Stars

19th October 2018
Rumours Rock City, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Review and photography by Matt Henry Mendonca.

I’m not a reviewer…and I didn’t know who I See Stars were going into this review. This gave me an idea on how I wanted to approach this. So bear with me, this has been something that I think most concert goers will briefly think about when they see tour announcements for a show or even at a show. What am I talking about…the opening acts.

Since I didn’t know I See Stars music I started looking at who would be opening for them. I recognised the bands as I have seen them at Krank’D Up 2018, so I used that as a guideline to what I thought I See Stars might sound like.

What I want to talk about is how sometimes we go to shows and we think “why are they opening for that band?”, which happens from time to time. So I wanted to see if I thought the promoters found support bands that in my opinion brought the same energy as the headliner. I say energy because I don’t think that the support bands need to be a carbon copy of the headliner, it’s actually awesome to go to a show, not know the support acts, only to find yourself at the merch stand with a new shirt of your favourite new local band.

So how were the opening acts for I See Stars?

We had One Day Sky come in with catchy electronic back tracks and groovy break downs. So maybe there is some electronic elements in I See Stars? As soon as the intro finished the room was filling with those waiting outside or standing at the bar getting a drink. One Day Sky certainly brought a lot of energy and those watching were giving it right back to frontman Clint.

Truth and its Burden have a fast paced, hardcore sound. So, to no ones surprise, Ash thought it was best that the show have a circle pit, even if that meant that he had to start it. So if you came to the I See Stars show and thought you could just stand around, you were quite mistaken because they really did have an up beat vibe the whole time they played.

Lastly, a band making the rounds once again, Facing The Gallows are here to make sure every last person comes in before I See Stars take the stage. Reegan is the new voice of FTG but seemed like he had been there from the start, keeping the crowd singing along and the fists in the air. They have an old school metalcore sound that reminds me of As I Lay Dying or Haste The Day, so there must be some break downs to come with I See Stars.

Now is the time that I get to SEE if the STARS have aligned (see what I did there) and find out if my expectations were right and if I think the support acts brought as much energy and had elements of what is about to come. A back track starts to play, a dub step sounding beat takes over, then an angelic fills the room. Heavy guitars and bass, break downs and then the screams of a demon. Every hand was in the air, every head was banging with each breakdown. Clearly I was the only person who didn’t know who they came to see.

So sometimes I think promoters get it wrong with who they get to open, that could just be my opinion, but I do feel that those opening a show at least bring an energy to the table equal or greater than that of the band that is headlining. I believe they have to most to gain. Most of us go to shows for the headliner, but it’s even better when you have a new band to add to your play list when you walk away from the show.

So yes, I felt that Brochella had three bands, each with unique aspects to their musical style that you would expect to hear from I See Stars. Sometimes it’s not always about getting the biggest band to open, but the one that will make you want to come back the next time they play.

I See Stars performing live in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2018. Image by Matt Henry Photography.

Facing The Gallows performing live in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2018. Image by Matt Henry Photography.

Truth And Its Burden performing live in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2018. Image by Matt Henry Photography.

One Day Sky performing live in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2018. Image by Matt Henry Photography.

Were you there at Rumours Rock City for this magnificent electronic hardcore gig? Or have you seen I See Stars perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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