Madina Lake

w/ The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

The Garage, Islington London

2^nd December 2012

The anticipation builds and from the first strum of ‘In Fate’s Hands’ The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus explode into crystal clear vocals and an abundant of energy that rolls out across the crowd. The Florida chaps now almost in their 10^th year as a band let ‘False Pretense’ unfold, taking the lead on a set that is already impressing. ‘Pen & Paper’ and 2011’s Am I the Enemy pours out with ‘Fall From Grace’ in a monstrous manner armed with frontman Ronnie Winter’s almighty and frankly brilliant vocals backed by storming drum beats. The latest addition to the band is lead guitarist Josh Burke who only at the age of 19 delivers a mouth-watering, head turning guitar solo.

Then The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ trademark anthem ‘Damn Regret’ see’s life and with that there is a remarkable moment where every set of feet, in this tightly squeezed room, jump in unison.  Moulding a unique genre that draws elements from being southern, to country to pretty damn heavy and not forgetting the superbly catchy choruses Florida’s finest bring, Ronnie and co are a band that have impacted music evolution. This proof is found in ‘Your Guardian Angel’ and not only does it not leave a dry eye in sight but the picture perfect rock ballad is the frontman’s time to shine. Seeing ‘Face Down’ take off into the night leaves the huge chorus echoing across the room from Ronnie’s lips to those standing at the very back. 

Headlining is Chicago quartet Madina Lake. The alternative rockers featured on 2007’s indoor festival Give It A Name’s line up and though it only feels like yesterday, three albums down the line they have since come a long way. Bringing back fond memories with their debut single ‘Here I Stand’ a much deserved warm welcome awaits it.

A bundle of rowdy energy tied with a multitude of hypnotic sing-alongs follow from 2007’s From Them, Through Us, To You with ‘In Another Life’ and ‘Adalia’ both of which greatly capture the essence of the talent within Madina Lake. What grows more evident is the brother love and bond that exceeds from Nathan and Matthew Leone, the four-piece take to the stage looking stronger than ever.

‘House Of Cards’ see’s guitarist Mateo Camargo attempt to crowd surf before ‘Now Or Never’ spontaneously puts the night on a high griping everyone present. Nothing is clearer tonight than the passion for playing music and frontman Nathan tells the crowd ‘we appreciate everything you’ve done for us. This is the best single moment of our lives’ while regularly reaching out to the crowd, and mid-way the set he even crowd surfs with a member of the audience.

Despite the ridiculous temperatures outside, Madina Lake raise the heat with scorching power delivered song after song. The obvious spring in Nathan’s step only makes the most miserable of people unable to resist singing along to the likes of ‘One Last Kiss’ and 2009’s Attics to Eden ‘Never Take Us Alive’ unpredictably turning the room into a fun filled party. But the party doesn’t stop there. ‘Let’s Get Outta Here’ witnesses a tremendous amount of movement. ‘Welcome to Oblivion’ taking a hold of North London, accepts the crown for anthem of the night as Nathan is swallowed up by the crowd who chant along to the wholesome melody in the mammoth closing chorus.  

As the four come out for one last song ‘Imagineer’, the only song off 2011’s World War III to make it on the set list for tonight, transmit a more mature and darker side to Madina Lake.