As I join the que of students waiting to be let in to Cardiff's well known Solus bar, the looming realisation that I am at least ten years older than everyone around me begins to set in. I manage to get in and it appears I have arrived half way through the second band, The Word Alive. Putting aside their poor vocals, The Word Alive have a good energy about them, doing their duty as support to rev up the crowd.
While awaiting SWS I notice the over powering odor of sweat, beer and general student hygiene, or lack of, and there are definitely some fashion faux pas walking around.
Without warning the band arrive on stage and kick start the performance with 'These Things I've Done', there is a lung splitting roar from all corners of the room and for once, standing at the back, I can actually see.
The layout of Cardiff Solus gives the feeling that you're a lot closer to the band than in reality, which is nice considering I'm as far away from them as anyone could get.
Kellin's vocals are strong, and they have a good light show with complimentary colours that hypnotise. A few songs in and the band break apart, leaving just Kellin and Jesse on stage for a mini acoustic set. The vibe in the room has now become chilled and everyone seems to be enjoying the banter between the two band mates.
Aside from a little too much chit chat for my taste, the breakdown is a nice change in the set, with Kellin even doing a little beatboxing during 'Roger Rabbit'.
The rest of the boys rejoin the stage and after a couple more songs the lights go down, it appears that this is the end of the set. A chant of 'one more song' starts up and soon every voice in the room is singing along. To the older members of the audience who have a number of gigs under their belt already, this is obviously a fake and the band will soon be back onstage.
As I predict the band soon arrive in view for their well planed encore. The crowd, blissfully unaware that they're being played like puppets, are more riled up than ever, phones high in the air trying to capture every minute, bouncers pulling surfers over the railings by the scruff of their necks, everyone enjoying the gig to the fullest. Every second counts when you're young.
Ending on 'If You Can't Hang', the set seemed unusually short, however the performance was good and I left satisfied knowing that was another band ticked off my list of ones to see.
Sleeping With Sirens new album 'Feel' will be out in June, and you can find them here:-
