Coheed and Cambria Keep the Fire Burning in San Antonio
Coheed and Cambria, Photo by Ryan Cagle
This past weekend, Coheed and Cambria left their mark in San Antonio after putting on a spectacular performance for a sold-out crowd at the Aztec Theatre. The New York-based progressive metal band has been rolling through the country at full force, headlining select dates on their “This Is Our War” tour in between off days on their tour supporting Shinedown. This was my first time seeing Coheed and Cambria live at a music venue after discovering their music at the 2008 Vans Warped Tour, and I was so excited to finally catch them live again.
There was only one supporting act for the night, and Houston’s own Narrow Head quickly got the crowd locked in and hyped for the night. This was my first time hearing about Narrow Head, and their music felt like a callback to ‘90s heavy alternative music driven by catchy vocal melodies, grungy guitar riffs, and thick walls of distortion. During their set, people on each side of the pit started a cup-stacking competition to see which side could build the highest tower. Vocalist Jacob Duarte was excited to see the tradition going and encouraged everyone to join in on the fun before they led into a new song called "Nightmare." Some songs were soft and groovy, while others like “Gearhead” and “Flesh & Solitude” brought out the primal urge to headbang and jump into a moshpit. It’s difficult to fit Narrow Head into a single genre; however, if you’re a fan of a combined mix of nu-metal, shoegaze, and alternative rock like bands such as Trauma Ray and Deftones, I highly recommend checking out their Moments of Clarity and Satisfaction albums and arriving early to catch their set.
It was incredible to see nearly 1,500 people pack into the Aztec Theatre. Fans made their way closer to the stage, filling up each level of the general admission area, while others settled into their seats at the mezzanine and VIP sections. I have to give an honorable mention to one of the longest merch lines I’ve ever seen, which stretched up the stairs and wrapped around the second floor to the upper-level seating area. While in the photo pit, I overheard conversations about how excited people were to finally see Coheed and Cambria again since the last time they performed in San Antonio three years ago, and I even met a couple who have been traveling to each show date and were celebrating their 151st Coheed and Cambria show! “The Freaks Come Out at Night” by Whodini bounced through the speakers as the crowd danced until the lights dimmed.
The crowd began to chant “COHEED, COHEED, COHEED” in unison and broke out into a roar of cheers and whistles as the band took the stage. They opened the set with “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3” with a guitar solo that pierced the air before pausing to soak in the applause of the sold-out music venue. The crowd sang along loudly to every word, which was consistent for each song throughout the night, and I could feel the barricade shake behind me as the crowd leaned forward to let loose and express themselves while listening to their favorite band.
Photo by Ryan Cagle
Their set included 16 heavy-hitting songs, including a beautiful acoustic performance of “Corner My Confidence.” Coheed and Cambria are still going strong after thirty years of touring, shredding, and showmanship, and their devoted fanbase is vastly growing. It’s amazing to see the band feed off of the crowd’s energy, and continue to turn heads with their lore-driven lyrics that reference “The Amory Wars,” a sci-fi graphic novel series written by lead singer Claudio Sanchez, which, in case you didn’t already know, is where the band’s name originates.
A few of my favorite highlights throughout the night were how animated bassist Zach Cooper's and drummer Josh Eppard's faces were; Claudio tying up his luscious locks mid-set and agreeing to wear a Spurs hat someone tossed on stage, even though he is a fan of the New York Knicks; the chaotic wave of crowd surfers during songs such as “Searching For Tomorrow” and “The Liars Club"; and the phenomenal light show they had incorporated into their set. Coheed left the stage after finishing the first part of their set with “A Favor House Atlantic"; however, everyone knew they weren’t done. From the barricade to the highest level of the mezzanine, fans shouted for an encore, and it didn’t take long for the band to reappear for a three-song encore, starting with “Here We Are Juggernaut,” followed by an electric performance of “Ten Speed (Of God’s Blood & Burial)," and bringing out the double neck for their final famous song, “Welcome Home." To my surprise, Claudio Sanchez even played the guitar solo for “Welcome Home” behind his head with the double-neck guitar, which is not an easy challenge.
After the show, the long line for merch formed again, people gathered to share their favorite moments, and a crowd formed around the tour bus barricade. Guitarist Travis Stever stepped out to have a quick chat with fans, shared a few stories, and gave some first-time concertgoers some lifelong memories.
Coheed and Cambria are as energetic as ever, and it was a phenomenal night for the rock music scene in San Antonio. I could say many positive things about the show, but all in all, you just had to be there. From the crowd’s energy, the band’s upbeat stage presence, and the overall sound production and lighting, this is going down as one of my favorite concerts this year. If you ever get a chance to see Coheed and Cambria or Narrow Head live, I highly recommend it! The “This Is Our War” tour continues with the next date on August 18th in Calgary, Alberta!
