Show Review: Comeback Kid/Backtrack/Xibalba/Downpresser/To The Wind

Venue – Backbooth

Location – Orlando, FL

Date – 3/6/2014

Lineup – Comeback Kid w/ Backtrack, Xibalba, Downpresser and To The Wind
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I arrived at Backbooth in Orlando right as the doors were opening for the Comeback Kid show, I honestly wasn’t expecting more than half of the venue to be filled due to the Touche Amore show that was happening right down the road at The Social, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out the show nearly sold out.

Due to doing interviews with two of the bands playing I missed the local opening band’s set. Once the interviews were finished with I went out to catch the last two songs of To The Wind’s set, from what I saw they were really good, the only bad part was the fact that the crowd didn’t hardly seem interested in giving the band a chance. I definitely need to look into this band further, and I will look forward to seeing them again at Warped Tour.

Up next were Downpresser, I’ve been wanting to see this bands for a little while now, and I was stoked when I found out they were on this already impressive tour package. It was almost like a switch, how fast the show and crowd went from being tame to being very aggressive and energetic, the second Downpresser kicked in, it was on. Overall Downpresser’s set was great, showcasing some of the most infectious riffs with their incredibly abrasive vocals, they definitely won the crowd over.

And now it was time for the band I was most looking forward to seeing, Xibalba. I knew right off the bat the crowd was going to be wild for this band’s set, but I was not even close to being prepared for what was coming. The crowd for Xibalba was one of the most violent, yet fun crowds I have ever been a part of, I don’t think I’ve ever been hit or kicked in the face/head as many times as I was during their set. The band themselves were absolutely phenomenal, their musicianship, energy and overall performance was nothing short of incredible. Xibalba have more than proved they’re one of the absolute best bands in the genre, if you get the chance to see them live, I heavily recommend that you do it.

Next were the NY natives, Backtrack. This was the third show this band has been on that I’ve attended, but I somehow missed their set both of the first two times, so I was definitely anxious to check them out. Before their set I thought to myself that there was no way on earth Backtrack could possibly follow Xibalba, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Backrack wasted no time during their set, getting the crowd going early on and they never let up, I can’t even remember the last time I saw so many stage divers during a single set. I was blown away watching James Vitalo work the crowd, his vocal performance is one of the more impressive that I’ve seen from any modern hardcore band. I was honestly not a very big fan of this band, but after seeing them live, my opinion of them has definitely changed.

And now it was time for one of the very first hardcore/punk bands I ever got into, Comeback Kid. From the moment this band kicked in, the crowd was absolute chaos, even more crowd surfers than before, someone even dove off the balcony, as well as someone swinging on the wall frames that separated the bit area from the bar. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a crowd this passionate about a band that was performing, everyone was singing and screaming along to every word, just going nuts, it was a perfect ending to an already phenomenal show. Comeback Kid are back and better than ever, their set was easily one of the best I’ve seen in a while, if you get a chance to catch this tour, do not miss out.
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Comeback Kid’s setlist

1)False Idols Fall
2)Do Yourself A Favor
3)Because Of All
4)Broadcasting…
5)Talk Is Cheap
6)The Concept Stays
7)Step Ahead
8)Wasted Arrows
9)Partners In Crime
10)Should Know Better
11)Our Distance
12)Final Goodbye
13)G.M. Vincent & I
14)The Trouble I Love
15)Wake The Dead
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