For someone unknown reason I hadn’t covered a show at the Mid Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa this year until now, and we’re already more than halfway through with 2022. Oh well, I can’t think of a better way to get back into it than with a huge show from Coheed and Cambria who were in town on the starting leg of their A Window Of The Waking Mind Tour. The 2-hour drive to the stadium was uneventful, at least until I pulled into the venue. I swear there has been a little black storm cloud following me around from event to event and now it tagged along for my trip to Tampa. I was able to get checked in just before the lightning and rain unleased their fury. After an hour or so delay, the lightning had moved on, but the rain decided to hang out for the rest of the night. In any event it was go time.
First up was Oklahoma native McKenzie Ellis, known professionally as Mothica. Dressed in a striped mini-dress and fishnet stockings, Mothica started off the set with “CASUALTY” from her album Nocturnal, which dropped earlier this month. Mothica is a very captivating performer with a beautiful voice, but her music is so much deeper than one might think. Prior to playing “forever fifteen,” Mothica pulled up a stool and told the fans about some of her struggles while growing up. Instances of abuse led to drugs and alcohol, and at the age of 15 McKenzie attempted suicide in front of her mother. That is just a very brief summary that doesn’t do justice for the term “struggle.” She discusses these issues in depth on her Youtube channel and they are the passion and strength that her songwriting and music are built around.
Mothica had to trim her setlist due to the weather delay, but she was able to deliver the title track of her new record, “NOCTURNAL,” before closing out the set with “buzzkill.” After her performance, I saw Mothica doing a meet & greet and the tent was packed with appreciative fans. The positive impact and inspiration she has provided is undeniable. Be sure to follow Mothica online (social links at bottom).
Mothica:
Mothica (McKenzie Ellis): Lead Vocals
Jacob Schreiber: Drums
Alex Russo: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Setlist:
1.CASUALTY
2.upside
3.forever fifteen
4.BLOOD
5.SENSITIVE
6.NOCTURNAL
7.buzzkill
Chicago rockers Alkaline Trio were up next. Despite a few lineup changes the current roster has been together for more than 20 years. The band came out hard and fast with “I Wanna Be A Warhol” and the fans reacted by dancing and singing along. The dual vocals from Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano were dynamic and fun to watch. While Skiba sang lead on “Fatally Yours,” Andriano took over on “Little Help?.” Their chemistry definitely works, and the crowd was having a blast.
Drummer Derek Grant provided the beats and was clearly enjoying himself behind his kit. Like Mothica, the band was forced to narrow their setlist by 3 songs due to the nasty Florida weather that is the norm for this time of the year. The last song of the performance was “Radio” from the band’s 2000 album Maybe I’ll Catch Fire. How can you go wrong when a song’s opening lyric is “Shaking like a dog shittin’ razorblades?” Alkaline Trio is a great band to see live and there are plenty of opportunities to see them on this tour so don’t miss out.
Alkaline Trio:
Matt Skiba: Guitar, Lead & Backing Vocals,, Bass
Dan Andriano: Bass, Lead & Backing Vocals, Guitar
Derek Grant: Drums, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Setlist:
1.I Wanna Be A Warhol
2.Blackbird
3.The Poison
4.Calling All Skeletons
5.I’m Only Here To Disappoint
6.Is This Things Cursed?
7.Cringe
8.Sadle
9.Time To Waste
10.Little Help?
11.Fatally Yours
12.I Found Away
13.Back To Hell
14.Radio
As 9:20 arrived, Iron Maiden’s “Aces High” blasted throughout the venue as the fans began to clamor for what they knew was forthcoming. For those not familiar with Coheed and Cambria, I’ll give a very brief crash course on their history. The band’s name originated from 2 characters in a series of science fiction comics written by lead vocalist and guitarist Claudio Sanchez. The series, The Armory Wars, would serve as the foundation for the band’s future concept albums. I haven’t read The Armory Wars yet, but it has now secured a spot on my reading list. The band’s new album, Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind, was released less than a month ago and I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve been wearing it out.
The darkened stage sprung to life as the band’s Keywork logo began to burn a bright orange. The logo was joined by a giant illuminated creature that hung menacingly above the drum riser. As “Prologue” played in the background, the band could be seen taking their places. At the conclusion of “Prologue” the band went directly into “The Dark Sentencer.” The chants from the crowd were deafening as smoke billowed across the stage. Sanchez, and his signature long mane of curls, stood center stage as the band played several tracks from the new album including “Beautiful Losers,” “A Disappearing Act,” and “The Liars Club.” He sounded great and his vocals were powerful and clean.
Sanchez was in good company as he was flanked by guitarist Travis Stever on one side and bassist Zach Cooper on the other. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a drummer have as much fun as the beat master Josh Eppard. Animated falls well short of describing his performance. The stage flashed red as the band started playing the fan favorite “A Favor House Atlantic.” In Chuck Berry fashion, Sanchez duck-walked across the stage as the crowd loudly sang the 1st 2 lines of the song. Everyone was enjoying themselves and the 18-song setlist was kept intact. The encore consisted of 2005’s “The Suffering,” and “Welcome Home,” the latter of which Sanchez enlisted the help of his trusty Gibson double-neck guitar.
This night was a blast, and it wasn’t about to be deterred by the threat of weather. This is a stellar lineup and you’ve really got to see this tour live in order to really appreciate it. Please take time to follow all of these awesome bands online (links at bottom).
Coheed and Cambria:
Claudio Sanchez: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Travis Stever: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Josh Eppard: Drums, Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Zach Cooper: Bass, Double Bass, Backing Vocals
Setlist:
1.Prologue
2.The Dark Sentencer
3.The Gutter
4.The Embers Of Fire
5.Beautiful Losers
6.Shoulders
7.The Running Free
8.A Disappearing Act
9.In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth:3
10.Ghost
11.Blood
12.The Liars Club
13.Everything Evil
14.Blood Red Summer
15.A Favor House Atlantic
16.Window Of The Waking Mind
Encore:
17.The Suffering
18.Welcome Home
Follow Mothica Online:
Follow Alkaline Trio Online:
Follow Coheed and Cambria Online:
I’ve had a love for photography since I was young. Whether it was a Polaroid or a Kodak 110, I was always the kid with the camera. My love of music goes back even further. Nothing beats being at a show when those lights go down and the crowd goes nuts.
