All Time Low are incorrigible – that seems to be the best word for them. From the minute they bounce out onto the stage until the last few moments of stage banter (“Hey guys, do you know what a merkin is?” Protip – don’t Google it. At least not at work) the energy levels are absolutely through the roof, and the comments range from heartfelt to downright filthy.
And the fans love every single moment of it. Under the Bridge is a tiny venue with a 600 person capacity, and it’s the kind of intimate show that All Time Low really flourish in. There’s no opening act because tonight is really about All Time Low – lead guitarist Jack Barakat jokes that they’re so unpopular, they have their own CD opening for them. The amount of fans screaming would suggest otherwise.
Crowd pleaser ‘Lost in the Stereo’ is the first song, and from then on it’s a high-octane blast of silly jokes, sex references and one song after another. It’s a greatest hits night, of sorts, which isn’t to say that All Time Low are anywhere near the stage of needing one, but rather that all the favourites are included. There’s a strong mix of songs – from ‘Dirty Work’ with ‘Guts’, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Time-bomb’ amongst those well received, to first album ‘Put Up or Shut Up’ getting a play with ‘Coffee Shop Soundtrack’ and ‘Jasey Rae.’ All Time Low are not one of those bands who neglect their earlier work.
Of course, the singles from the new album ‘Don’t Panic’ are showcased – ‘Somewhere In Neverland’ is played for the first time live, and it’s great to hear. After ‘Dirty Work’ fell short of expectations, due to major label drama and a slightly too mainstream slant, there’s a certain sense of relief that so far ‘Don’t Panic’ seems to be the band getting back to what they’re good at – and they’re really good at this, no doubt about it. ‘For Baltimore’ has the entire room singing along and hits every great pop song button, and ‘The Reckless And The Brave’ makes sure that the fun doesn’t let up for one minute.
After insisting that they’re not going to do the encore thing – “We don’t wanna jerk you around or play games,” insists singer Alex Gaskarth, with Barakat interjecting, “Besides, these next two are our best songs, we won’t have anything else left for you” – the band play their arguably most well known songs ‘Weightless’ and ending with ‘Dear Maria, Count Me In’. The crowd goes wild. All Time Low are flying to New York right after the show to continue their ‘Triptacular’ but right now they’re reigning supreme in London, and loving every moment of it.
