I was first exposed to 30 Seconds to Mars through their newest CD A Beautiful Lie. After just one listen, I was looking forward to their appearance at Headliners in Toledo on March 31. A converted warehouse, the venue is large, open, and a nearly perfect atmosphere for the loud and hard sound of this group.
There were three opening bands. The first was a local small-time band with a huge sound. They were intense, loud, and had an energetic stage presence. Maybe it was because I was unfamiliar with their music, but I couldn't really connect to them and their set wasn't over soon enough for me.
The second band, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, announced they had just signed with Virgin and would have a CD coming out in two months. Of the same genre, they had high energy, punk pop sound and the crowd responded well. I enjoyed the performance, but wished I had heard some songs prior to the show. It can be hard to discern this type of music for the first time live — especially with my ear right up against a speaker — and I found myself concentrating too hard to really just enjoy it. Since Friday's show, I've checked out some MP3s at their Myspace profile and am kicking myself for not doing it before the show.
Aiden was the third opening act and another band whose sound I was unfamiliar with before Friday night. Though I was not in the middle, the people around me were saying the mosh pit was going to expand out to the sides and it was going to get rough. I ducked out to the edge of the crowd, not really wanting to be involved in the pushing, shoving, and crowd surfing. I was glad that I did, but not only because I wanted out of the action. Being on the fringes I got an interesting perspective of how the band interacted with the crowd and visa versa. Aiden has a tremendous energy on stage and really works at interacting with the crowd and giving the fans a great show that goes beyond the music.
Article comments
1 - Emma
Great review of 30STM. I saw them the following day, in Chicago.
You combined the physically descriptive with the more abstract description very well - I can't even imagine trying to do that. Thanks for creating such a vivid image of the show.
2 - Connie Phillips
Thank you for the comments Emma. It was such an interactive show. I'm so glad I was able to catch it. You use the term "abstract" - that's a great way to describe it, abstract like Jared's songwriting.
3 - simergalis
Interesting review. Sounded like an especially good show. I would have loveed to see their entrance.
There are a couple of errors.
'Provehito in Altum', not echelon, is 'Launch forth into the unknown'or deep.
The glyphs (there are 2 sets that have been around for a long time) are not necessarily ancient hieroglyphics and almost certainly are not borrowed from the Iberian-Celtiberian alphabet as the the site linked to claims. Several alphabets (including Greek) have symbols resembling one or more of the glyphs, but no alphabet has been identified as having clear representations of all 4 or 8 glyphs. The band may have created the symbols themselves.
I look forward to reading your interview
4 - Connie Phillips
Thank you, simergalis, it was certainly an exceptional show.
I linked the source for both the translation of Echelon and the glyphs, but concede that your explanation makes a lot more sense.
Please do come back for the interview next week.
5 - Aitana
@ simergalis:
That theory about the 4 symbols in 30STM cd booklets being Iberian letters is mine. You can read it here (because by your statements, it seems that you haven't READ it)
You said "almost certainly are not borrowed from the Iberian alphabet. Several alphabets (including Greek) have symbols resembling one or more of the glyphs" but, why are you so sure about that, are you an expert in European Protohistory? I've been seen those signs my entire life in Iberian coins, inscriptions, ceramics, ... because I was born in one of the most important areas of the Iberian culture and it's my job (I am Archaeologist and Historian and I know exactly what I'm talking about):
1. These 4 signs are NOT invented (i'm not talking about the 4 principal glyphs, but the 4 in the cd booklet)
2. The resembling is because Iberian, Greek, Etruscan and Latin alphabets are based in Phoenician. Same for the Norse Runes (based too in Mediterranean alphabets).
3. In the Iberian alphabet is in the only one you can find the 4 of them (just try to find them in Greek alphabet, in the same exactly form that they are drawing in the cd booklet... If you can)
6 - g-rel
I just want to say I just recently went to my second thirty seconds show and they will not disappoint you.. so go out see them.. support them.. and join the echelon.. see what all the talk is about. If you haven't heard a Beautiful Lie check out thirtysecondstomars.com
7 - tyler
tomo is thre guitarist and matt is the bassist besides that great job and your link to the rune theory is messed up
8 - Dominique
the guy that sings in this band is a hotty. man i wish he would go out with me, even though i'm only 11. well thenks for posting his hot picture on the internet. luv u guy who sings!!!!!!!!!!
9 - joy
mmmmmmmm well the one who sings is sooooooooooooooooooooooo freakin hot!!!xoxox jared right i love from yesterday and the kill urgh they rock luv them alot