Bring Me The Horizon Ignite The Maverik Center in Salt Lake City
October 4th
British metalcore giants Bring Me The Horizon brought a show equal parts chaos and catharsis to a packed Maverik Center last week on their Ascension Program Tour Part 1. Salt Lake City showed up in full force, selling out the venue ready to witness one of the most dominant live acts in modern rock tear through a performance that would leave fans wanting more.
The night kicked off with a loaded lineup that featured Amira Elfeky, The Plot In You, and Motionless in White. In an unfortunate incident involving heavy traffic and an accident, it kept some fans delayed, us included, from catching Elfeky’s opening set but word quickly spread from those who had seen it that her nu-metal inspired performance was one to remember.
Up next, The Plot In You put on a blistering performance that set the tone for the rest of the night. The Ohio based rock group has spent a decade evolving their sound melding their heavy riffs with raw emotions. Their set rippled with feelings, fueled by guttural screams, intensity and a sea of headbanging fans that seemed to move as one.
Next came Motionless in White, who took the charged atmosphere and lit a fuse under it. Backed by a massive logo lit backdrop and dark visuals, frontman Chris Motionless commanded the stage as the band powered on around him. The band ripped through a set featuring some of their heavier hits but closed on a more sensitive note with the song “Eternally Yours.” After the song Chris Motionless stepped to the edge of the stage and tossed out roses to fans across the barricade to cries of “We Love You” all the while wearing a giant smile on his face. That heartfelt moment perfectly captured the relationship between Motionless in White and their devoted fanbase.
Anticipation built as the stage crew raised a black curtain to shied off the stage as they worked to transform it into the setting for the night’s main event. The side screens transformed into a scene reminiscent of a Resident Evil style video game sequence that would guide the fans throughout their journey on the virtual Ascension Program. As the curtain fell fans cheered out as the band strolled out onto the stage one by one and as front man Oli Sykes appeared the venue was filled with a venue shaking BOOM as confetti cannons erupted and the show began.
If Motionless in White lit the fuse, Bring Me The Horizon was the detonation. Opening with “Darkside” the British powerhouse wasted no time proving why they’ve become one of the most electrifying bands in the world today. Throughout the show Sykes displayed his charisma and stage presence holding court between songs, ordering surfers to come in waves towards the barricade and the fans gladly obliged.
A few songs into the set Sykes remarked to the crowd, “When did Bring Me The Horizon become so big in Salt Lake City?” Remarking about how crazy the size of the crowd was all the while smiling and loving every minute of performing for the fans. He then asked the crowd “Do you know what a circle pit is?” and seeing the one in the pit area shouted out “That’s not a pit, that’s rubbish. Open it up!” the fans heeded the call pushing the crowd further forward and back as the pit doubled in size to the delight of Sykes as the band broke out into “Amen.”
From there on out the show was a ruthless assault of fan favorites, sweat, emotions and raw energy as more confetti cannons fired off, cryo blast erupted and enough pyro to rival a holiday celebration was fired off through the remainder of the night. Ven with the visual spectacle what stood out the most was the band’s precision and emotional power. BMTH put on a masterclass on musicianship and their connection with the crowd was undeniable. Closing out the show with “Throne” the band left everything on stage and departed with a sea of fans wishing for one more song, unwilling to let go of the moment.
It was clear leaving the venue that it wasn’t just a concert that people attended but it was a shared experience between the fans and musicians alike and displaying why Bring Me The Horizon is one of the best in the world.
