On a rainy Melbourne Autumn night people were out in droves to see the incredible Skillet play their first Melbourne show in six years. A lot had happened in that six years and as Skillet frontman John Cooper said the 2020’s have been crazy so far. But how was their performance tonight? One word CRAZY and I mean that in the most positive of ways. There was an electricity in Northcote Theatre tonight, something in that room felt different, maybe it was the fact that I saw very few familiar faces in comparison to the usual suspects I see at most shows. This was a different crowd and clearly there was a celebration with a rock show that just oozed faith, love and positivity.
Starting off the night were Melbourne’s own Awaking Tyler, hailing from Frankston, these guys were for the most part completely new to me. I had checked them out on socials and via streaming services, but there was little available to gain a back story other than these guys have gigged quite hard over the last year. In all honesty I didn’t want to spoil too much for myself as engaging with a new band live is usually the way I get the most from an artist. This youthful quartet fronted by Tyler Wilford were all class and as a frontman Wilford looked so at home in front of a near capacity room.
Opening with ‘Scream’ their brand of modern rock hit hard through huge choruses, big melodies and more than enough punch to make you take notice. Tonight, Wilford’s voice just soared, the twin guitar attack wailed, and the rhythm section just drove everything home. Closing with the band’s latest single ‘Until again’ we were treated to a short but sweet six song set that left an indelible mark on me and has name wanting to see and hear more of these guys again soon.
Setlist: Scream, Set Me Free, Burn, I Hate You, Live Again, Until Again.
AWAKING TYLER GALLERY
For a four-piece Skillet has a magic about them and for the uneducated stylistically they remind me of a perfect partner to a band like Disturbed. Not only in energy, but in the fact that there is an underlying message behind every song.
Guitarist/keyboardist Korey Cooper is just a bundle of energy and hard to take your eyes from, she has a presence that I haven’t seen in many years that just didn’t allow you to look away, foot stomping, spinning, jumping and generating some of the coolest rock n roll shapes I had ever seen. Lead guitarist Seth Morrison is understood by comparison but delivered some absolutely scorching solos. Drummer Jen Ledger whose backing vocals and vocal sharing duties were absolutely on point along with her drumming, full of smiles she was an absolute joy to watch. Frontman/bassist John Cooper is in a league of his own though, what an amazing voice, player and all round frontman. Tonight, we were all treated to a definitive rock show.
The beauty about this band live is their ability to mix things up. Korey Cooper playing keyboard parts, John Cooper ditching his bass to become a Co2 hand/arm cannon wielding powerful on-stage presence, there is a level of multitasking in this band.
The addition of an electric cellist added depth to songs as required. Skillet were just as elated as the crowd was to be here tonight. A testament to this came at the end of ‘Lions’; where a packed Northcote Theatre sang a very loud Happy Birthday to frontman John Cooper, completely taking him by surprise.
While my first impressions of Skillet had been formed from the photo pit as I was both reviewing and photographing tonight. It was the aforementioned energy on that stage from the band. The second was the sound of the audience singing every single word as if every song was one of their own. This was one hell of a show.
My second impression was of the band, the visuals and the love in that room as the band continued to deliver another seventy-five minutes of powerful anthems from the back of the room. While my view was far from perfect, I still got drawn into the whole atmosphere and love within the room. Twelve hundred voices sang along with the band including myself, most who were more devoted to the band than I was. I could not help but be wrapped up in everything that is this band live. Let’s face it who can’t helped but be sucked in by a killer chorus sing-along.
Skillets six-year absence from Australia meant so much to so many in that room, there was such a united welcoming energy. It’s hard to do justice with words just how good they are. This Sunday took on a whole new meaning through music and messages. If this is what finding faith is all about, sign me up and I will be there every Sunday.
Setlist: Feel Invincible, Rise, Surviving The Game, Legendary, Lions, Awake and Alive, Back From The Dead, Hero, Not Gonna Die, Whispers In The Dark, Psycho In My Head, Anchor, Be Thou My Vision (in part), Comatose, Undefeated, Monster, Rebirthing, Resistance
SKILLET GALLERY
With thanks to Metropolis Touring for media Accreditation
Images Credit Shot by Slaidins Photography
