Senses Fail - Hi-Fi Annex
5.19.2023 - I am thrilled to kick-off my series of planned summer concerts with a scene legend, Senses Fail. Their songs have been on repeat since their 2004 release of Let it Enfold You.
This was also my first time attending a show at the Hi-Fi Annex, an outdoor venue in the heart of Indianapolis.
I arrived when the gates opened at 5:30 and hurried to find a spot on the barricade. This was my intended perch for the next 4-5 hours…
Action/Adventure
By 6:30, much of the area was full of excited fans. At this time, rain was imminent, the radar was colorful, and Action/Adventure was ready to rock!
This was my first time listening to the Chicago based Action/Adventure except for rotating their top hits on Spotify leading up to the show. I am a sold listener and will absolutely be catching them again next time they are in town. My favorite song of their set was “Tuck Everlasting” and it has been playing on repeat all day. How is this song not huge! As an opener, they perfectly balanced hyping the follow-up acts while owning the show. Blake’s vocals were powerful and clear. The entire band was cohesive making their talent and experience shine.
I loved their representation and message of diversity while sharing their reflection on the scene through their TikTok hit, “Barricades”. I am excited about the current state of the emo scene as it is increasingly being showcased with diverse bands, which was an unfortunate gap across bands and fan base in the early 2000’s scene. Diversity brings the most amazing art and music through new perspectives, ideas, and experiences. I am optimistic that the next few years will be amazing. Be sure to also checkout Action/Adventure’s collaboration with Magnolia Park, ‘Deja Vu’. Topping off their show, it was Adrian’s (drummer) birthday and was served a cake by John of The Home Team. Happy birthday Adrian!
The Home Team
At this point, it was raining and everyone was hoping it would not storm. There was a rapid set change and The Home Team was ready with full energy. Reigning from Seattle, WA, they brought a large fan base. Their performance had ongoing crowd engagement and some amazing guitar kicks by Ryne (bassist).
After a few songs, it was raining hard and although thunder could not be heard over the music, the venue organizers had to stop the show and issue an immediate evacuation due to an approaching storm. With maybe the most accurate weather prediction I have ever seen, as soon as everyone turned around towards the exit, the sky unloaded with rain and lightning and every last inch of dry fabric was immediately dripping wet. I was not wearing “guyliner” but you can imagine the amount of makeup running across the place. It was disappointing for The Home Team’s set to be cut short, but appreciate the energy, attitude, and talent they shared.
Weather Delay
I was not parked far where my car would have provided dry comfort and heat, but I had already invested effort to be at the barricade for Senses Fail. Thunder, lightning, rain, shivering, puddles, wind, and cooling temperatures were not about to stop me from returning to the barricade.
Fortunately I found refuge from the storm on the steps of a church across the street from the gate. Eight of us packed into the small stairwell reminiscing of past shows. Lightning crashed, the rain poured.
We received notice that the gates would re-open at 9:00 so we hurried back to the entrance to wait the 30 minutes in the pouring rain. With shivering determination I made it back to the front with the exact same spot I had earlier.
Senses Fail
It was time, the pinnacle of the night. With a sound ordinance looming, Senses Fail kicked off their performance around 9:15 with Bonecrusher and then into Calling All Cars. Buddy immediately set the tone of the evening with an energy that transcended the crowd, making us forget about the numbness of soaked clothing. Being my first Senses Fail show, I did not know there was anyone that could give Adam Lazzara (Taking Back Sunday) competition for mic spinning but Buddy masterfully integrated it into movement with a nearly 100% catch rate.
Song after song was high energy as they performed bangers from their catalog of hits. With wet surfaces, I did not have high expectations of stage movement, but through the course of the night, Buddy integrated more flips, dives, summersaults, cartwheels, and stage jumps than I have done in my entire adult life. As an excited fan, I cannot appreciate enough how thankful I am to the entire band for bringing their best. “Buried a Lie” was the song that first introduced me to Senses Fail and was a magical moment to finally hear live after so many years.
Another highlight was closing out the pre-encore with “Bite To Break Skin” straight into a breakdown medley of:
Chop Suey (System of a Down)
Down with the sickness (Disturbed)
Break stuff (Limp Bizkit)
Bulls on parade (Rage Against the Machine)
then transitioning back into the closing verse “Bite to break skin don’t give the secret…”. I could re-live that part of the concert over and over while contemplating whether it makes me old that I am screaming every word to the medley and these are becoming our singalongs for the 80’s generation. If so, I think I can accept this combo.
While chanting for more songs, Jason performed the Jimi Hendrix version of the National Anthem. Eventually, the rest of the band returned for the encore to close out the show with “Can’t be saved” and “One Eight Seven”.
I did not get a setlist although the wet paper was mostly shredded by the time the gaffe tape was pulled from the stage. I stuck around a little longer in hopes of more souvenirs and just then, guitar picks were being thrown to fans sticking around not wanting the night to end. With guitar pick in hand, rain still dripping from my hair and clothes, the night was over.
Thank you to the bands, security, and Hi-Fi staff for pushing through the weather conditions! It was a great kickoff to the Summer concert season. I cannot speak highly enough of the welcoming nature of the Hi-Fi staff as I always look forward to any shows presented by Hi-Fi or MOKB. Next up, Pedro The Lion on Tuesday inside the Hi-Fi on Tuesday!
