BAYSIDE with FINCH, Armor for Sleep, and Winona Fighter
House of Blues
Anaheim, CA 4.19.24
LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARILYN BELL
Days after playing The Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, Bayside and company were ready for the packed, near-capacity crowd at House of Blues Anaheim. Winona Fighter and Armor for Sleep opened early with short sets, allowing no time for filler to kick off the night.
Finch took the stage and unleashed its signature blend of emo and post-hardcore, as the crowd got the pit going. Frontman Nate Barcalow’s emotive vocals soared through the venue, carrying the audience on a roller coaster of emotions through standout sing-alongs from the introspective “Letters to You” to the anthemic “What It Is to Burn.”
Finch captivated the audience with its raw energy, heavy guitars, and undeniable stage presence, setting the bar high for the headlining Bayside.
As Bayside took the stage, the crowd was frenzied, as everyone pushed forward. With their unmistakable brand of melodic punk rock, Bayside wasted no time diving into its set list, delivering hit after hit, as well as songs off the band’s new album, There Are Worse Things Than Being Alive, with infectious energy and passion.
Led by Anthony Raneri’s gravelly vocals filled with precision and power, the band commanded the stage with confidence. The venue reached a fever pitch by the time they got to the crowd-favorite anthem “Sick, Sick, Sick.”
Throughout the night, the energy between the band and audience was high, creating an electric atmosphere that reverberated throughout the venue and had the crowd enthusiastically moshing in the pit.
As the final chords of “Devotion and Desire” capped off the encore and the lights rose, Bayside’s unforgettable performance lingered in the air, leaving a lasting impression on all who bore witness to their electrifying show at the House of Blues Anaheim.
