REVIEW: Hollywood Undead @Manchester Academy.

rattlemag
Apr 28, 2016
4 min read

Hollywood Undead. Photo by Jack Barker

Hollywood Undead, one of the most popular Rap-Core / Metal bands recently returned to Manchester to play to a sold out Manchester Academy. Bringing their massive hits like 'Undead', 'Everywhere I Go' and 'Bullet', Manchester couldn't have been any more ready for Hollywood Undead to take to the stage.

The nights support came from Atlanta Metalcore band Attila. An interesting choice of support for Hollywood Undead, as their screaming vocals and high energy riffage sure started the night off with a huge band. Opening their set with song 'Middle Fingers Up', we wasn't sure the crowd knew what they were letting themselves in for, as an empty space suddenly opened up creating a whirlwind off screaming fans and sweat.

Attila. Photo by Jack Barker

Throughout their set, frontman Chris Fronzak was constantly demanding the crowd to mosh with circle pits, wall of deaths and even getting everyone to kneel down on the floor before jumping up when the song dropped with massive riffs. The crowd may have been a little too much for some people, as security had no choice but to enter the slippy dance floor to help a young guy get out of the venue after falling unconscious. It just shows us that these kind of concerts, fans need to take care off each other and not forgetting we're all there for the same reason, and that's to have fun.

With the band still bouncing around the stage, they don't give the crowd time to cool down, entering into their last song of the set 'About That Life', thanking the Manchester crowd for such a crazy night and then going in to thank the guys in Hollywood Undead for taking them on as support.

Hollywood Undead. Photo by Jack Barker

After Attila had left their stage and Hollywood Undead's backdrop was revealed, their drums were set up and the band were ready to come on stage for a 9:15 start, the crowd just can't wait. A mixed crowd awaited for Hollywood Undead to start, excited as ever!

The lights go into a dim, and a loud introduction music plays through the PA and the crowd stand anxiously waiting. Suddenly the lights raise up revealing all members of Hollywood Undead walking on stage with vocalist Dylan Alvarez shouting "MANCHESTERRRR" pumping up the crowd for them to play. First song of their set is 'Usual Suspects' of 2015 album Day Of The Dead. Showing of their more dubstep side of their music, the crowd doesn't take it lightly and go into sudden chaos with them rapping every lyric band to the stage, almost overpowering the PA system.

Going straight into their 2nd song, the band don't hold back in playing one of their most popular songs yet with 'Undead'. Following after Attila, the crowd had a lot to show for with their energy and they did not let us down. The bands onstage energy almost being as great as the crowd, it's great to see a band like Hollywood Undead who have played Manchester multiple times still bringing such a raw and energetic live performance.

Hollywood Undead. Photo by Jack Barker

The strobes lit up the venue as the band played 'Gravity', another song of their 2015 album. There was not a soul in Manchester Academy that was stood still during this, every single head was bouncing up and down singing along to possible one of their best songs of new album 'Day Of The Dead'. All emotion shined through in the bands performance, it's just ridiculously obvious how much they love being on stage playing to thousands of people.

Crowd participation is a key role in a successful live performance, something Hollywood Undead achieved tremendously in this show. Asking the audience "Who the fuck plays guitar", hinting they want someone to get on stage. An ocean of hands raised in a desperate attempt to get on stage with their favourite band. One lucky fan, who the band nick names 'Ben Durst' got this very opportunity. Not only that, but he got to choose which song he played with the band, an obvious choice of 'Comin' In Hot'. 'Ben Durst' could have easily been mistaken for an actual member of the band with his stage presence.

After this, an interesting moment in the bands set greeted Manchester. A cover of The White Stripes 'Seven Nation Army', a confused crowd didn't know quite how to react, though. And then going straight into play 'Bullet', a song with a lot of meaning, during the vocal only part Dylan Alvarez requested only the crowd sang, with no musical backing. And if you thought Hollywood Undead covering Seven Nation Army was strange, they then go on to cover Rammsteins 'Du Hast'.

Hollywood Undead. Photo by Jack Barker

Greeted by an encore, a packed Mancuanian crowd wasn't having any of it and a chant had to start, as standard. "Everywhere I go, bitches always know, that Charlie Scene has got a weenie that he loves to show". Hollywood Undead clearly understood they wanted more so took back to the stage to finish of their set with 'Everywhere I Go' and 'Hear Me Now'. Before leaving the stage, all members take a moment to thank everyone for coming out to the show, they were all so thankful and grateful for all their fans.