Photos and review by Jenna Hughes
Sick Puppies made a stop in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 6 at The Masquerade, touring in support of their new album Connect, which was released over the summer. It was a rainy night in Atlanta, but that didn’t stop die-hard fans from coming out to support the band.
Opener Redlight King did their part to get the crowd riled up, keeping everyone pumped with their unique mix of rock and hip-hop. The band, hailing from Ontario, Canada, has quickly risen to the spotlight with their album Irons in the Fire, featuring the hit song “Redemption,” which is also on the “Iron Man 3” soundtrack. The band also performed hits “Old Man” and “Bullet In My Hand” from their 2011 album Something for the Pain.
Sick Puppies were up next and they took the stage by storm, launching into “Die To Save You,” a song from the new album Connect. The band, out of Sydney, Australia, has grown noticeably with the new songs, many of which feature bassist Emma Anzai on vocals along with front man Shimon Moore. The band has opted for a mellower sound on the new album, but their intensity on stage has not wavered one bit, nor has their passion for their fans. Moore kept the crowd on their feet with his relentless energy, encouraging fans to jump and sing along as the band performed hits such as “Riptide,” from the 2007 album Dressed Up As Life, “Cancer” and “Odd One,” a song that Anzai introduced, stating that the song had personal meaning to her and that she felt like everyone can relate to it.
The set continued with “All The Same,” the song that launched the band’s career with its “Free Hugs” video on YouTube. Moore took a brief minute to tell the audience about the band’s history, beginning in Sydney when he and Anzai were only 15 years old. He stated that people told them they would never make it as a band, but they had proved them wrong and that “There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it.” The band then launched into “Maybe,” from 2009’s Tri-Polar and continued with “Connect,” “War” and the stellar new song “Gunfight.”
“You’re Going Down” closed out the show, with Moore announcing that the band would host a meet and greet right after the show for anyone who had bought merchandise. The band also gave away a signed guitar to one lucky fan.
Set List:
Die To Save You
Survive
Cancer
No Going Back
Odd One
All the Same
Riptide
Maybe
Connect
War
Gunfight
Nothing
You’re Going Down
Redlight King
Sick Puppies
