A Night Under the Streetlight

The night was Friday, Oct. 26th at the Plaza Live theater in Orlando. The mid size venue had no idea of what lay before it on that particular night as the Ska-Punk band Streetlight Manifesto was set to headline the concert of three bands for the night. The bands playing that night was The Chicharones, Lionize, and Streetlight Manifesto as the headlining act.

The first band that took the stage that night was a group that goes by The Chicharones. The band suffered from an absolutely horrible sound coming from the sound system, but nevertheless, still managed to put on a good show. This group was very confusing to begin with, but a few songs into their set turned out to be fairly entertaining, and interesting group. The band had the crowd fairly won over by the end of their set from their mix of rap and Hispanic influenced form of music, and energetic stage show. The most entertaining quality about the band was their pig mask wearing DJ running around like an absolute maniac on stage. In the end, even through the atrocious sound they had to play though, The Chicharones played an entertaining set and won over a few new fans.

The second band of the night was the reggae/rock group Lionize. To put a long story short, these guys were absolutely incredible. With their reggae based sound and hint of Clutch influence sprinkled in there, they were truly an amazing band. The singer had guitar chops to make even though most accomplished riff-master shake in his boots, and vocals that had more soul than a church choir on Easter Sunday. The keyboardist/organist had a sound that would impress Ray Manzarek of The Doors. The bassist and drummer both had the rhythm section nailed down absolutely solid, and gave them the rich sound to blow the roof off of the theater clean off. By the end of their roughly 45 minute set, I am sure their wasn't a single person in the crowd that wasn't Lionized by the band and their incredible music.

The last band of the night, and the one the vast majority of the crowd came to see, Streetlight Manifesto. The band took the stage to an uproarious applause, and commenced to whip the crowd into an absolute frenzy for their almost two hour set. Not a person within the first thirty five feet of the stage was standing still, and those who tried to were quickly thrown around by the intense mosh pits. Audience members were flying every which direction from the constant crowdsurfing, and moshing. Truly a time of joyous anarchy and insanity. Onto the band itself: they played incredibly! With their mix of Jazz, Ska, and Punk Rock, they truly put on an amazing show of musicianship. Not a single person in the crowd left without a smile on their face, and a ringing in their ears from the intense volume of the show.

That night was truly an interesting mix of live music, from Hispanic Rap, to Reggae influenced Rock, to absolute Ska-Punk insanity. I beyond recommend going to see any and all of the bands that performed that night! Whatever price you may pay for your ticket, will be worth every penny!

- Taylor Sandefur