IndyConcerts.com – Indianapolis Concert Calendar, Tickets, Reviews, and Interviews

In previous experiences the majority of massively popular bands on the radio usually suck live. I am happy to report that today was not one of those days. I have heard Sick Puppies and Breaking Benjamin on the radio and well I liked what I heard. With most of your popularradio bands it is pretty normal for them to not sound the same when they are live. There is a lot of work put into recording an album so that the artist can sound as good as possible to sell records and tickets. Tonight I was impressed. I went to the Murat, in down townIndianapolis, with pretty low expectations but well they wowed me. I got there right before Sick Puppies took the stage. They played a solid set. Their songs are catchy and the lead singer really got the crowd into it. The concert was energetic and had an overall good vibe. They are a three piece band from Australia and they pull off their style of music very well. They don’t try anything too complex but at the same time their music isn’t completely dumbed down. I was entertained when they started playing a remake of “Say My Name”. They used the same basic riff taken from “Brain Stew” by Green Day. I know it was the same basic riff because I learned how to play this song and was close enough to see the bar chords he was playing. They took the words from the song “Say My Name” and added a few other of their own. I have never seen so many fists pumping to an R&B song. I also like the fact that he kept trying to incite the crowd to mosh when it is strictly prohibited by the Murat. They played all the songs that you hear on the radio along with several of their lesser known hits that you would only hear by searching Youtube or by owning their albums.

Now onto the headliner, Breaking Benjamin, this band really impressed me. First I was excited to see them come back to Indianapolis. I am not by any means the biggest Breaking Benjamin fan on the planet. I couldn’t be the president of their fan club and honestly I don’t own any of their albums. I know most of their songs because I listen to X103 on occasion and get to hear them. They were however phenomenal live. The energy that the lead singer pumped into that crowd was insane. He had the crowd eating out of his hands the whole entire time. They are a band that has been around for about 8 years but only recently got popular. I enjoyed this band because they have songs that speak of being an individual and persevering though troubled times. They also played a cover of “Dream On” (Aerosmith) which was done beautifully. I was a bit worried at first because Aerosmith is one of the greats and most of the time bands who try to cover them fail miserably. What really impressed me with this band is that it was obvious during the breaks during songs that the lead singer was having voice troubles. When he was singing though, there was not even an inkling of that being true. He was able to push aside the sickness or whatever it was to put on and amazing show.

Overall this show was good. The only complaints I have is that the venue is just not conducive to rock shows. When there is that much energy in a concert the limitations that are set of no moshing can sometimes take away from the overall environment of the concert. I understand why they do not allow it because of the risks it poses to those who do not wish to mosh. It is also and indoor venue which presents other risks as well. I am not upset with the venue not allowing moshing I just tend to enjoy shows where that is allowed more. I will continue to attend shows at the Egyptian Room because I love the all standing environment. The ability to have space to jump around and throw you hands in the air definitely outweigh the no moshing rule. It is the same reason I will always choose lawn seats over pavilion seats at Verizon.

In conclusion I would like to thank X103, The Murat theater, Live Nation, Sick Puppies and Breaking Benjamin for putting on one heck of a show. There are some great concerts in Indianapolis, and this was definitely one of them. It is a show I will not soon forget and will cherish my time with those bands however short it was. Photos of the bands and of the concert will be posted shortly, so be sure to check back. Also let me know what you thought of the concert if you were there.

Sick Puppies Set list

· War

· Cancer

· Survive

· My World

· Odd One

· All the Same

· Rip Tide

· Pitiful

· Say My Name (Destiny’s Child cover)

· You’re Going Down

Breaking Benjamin Set list

· I Will Not Bow

· Until the End

· Had Enough

· Blow Me Away

· Sooner or Later

· Dream On (Aerosmith cover)

· So Cold

· Polyamorous

· Into The Nothing

· Fade Away

· Breath

· Diary of Jane