Everything is bigger in Texas, at least that’s how the saying goes, and Dallas’ own Crown the Empire certainly brings a stage performance that further proves the sentiment.
With strobe lights flashing and apocalyptic video streaming, the post-hardcore sextet came out to a sold out show at Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles for the second date of their Welcome to the Resistance tour. Though there were a few minor hiccups-- unclean vocalist Dave Escamilla’s mic turned down at the beginning of the set and guitarist Benn Vogelman had to stop mid-sentence to tune his guitar-- they carried on so smoothly that only those actually looking for it would have noticed. The standout moment of the night was when clean vocalist Andy Velasquez and guitarist Brandon Hoover slowed the set down with an acoustic interlude in which they played “Millennia” from their latest album
The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways. The set the band has compiled is a complete show, with all the highs and lows of a cleverly thought out play that promises to please all fans, new and old.
What’s most amazing about the band is that in just four short years Crown the Empire has managed to do what many bands struggle with: create an identity. They have a clear vision of what they want to be and how they want to portray it, which is what makes it such a treat to see them live.
If you haven’t already, pick up The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways now in stores and iTunes.
Words and Photos by Victoria Patneaude
*Note: The opinions expressed in the Music Connection Photo Blog do not directly reflect that of the Music Connection brand. These are posted “as is” without additional support from MC.
