Rise Against performs for more than ‘audience of one’

The crowd cheers wildly as the lights of the UCF Arena dim. A hush pervades the crowd as their anticipation builds, waiting for the band to take the stage. Suddenly, the peals of a guitar begin to blare from the loudspeakers, drums echo against the walls, and the audience all stand as one, cheering as Rise Against begins to play.

"I came here tonight to scream," Rise Against lead singer, Tim McIlrath announced to the audience. "It's not every day, [and] it's not every place that we can do that. Most of the time people are telling us to be quiet, to shut up, but not [here.] You can be as loud as you f—g want to be. So I want you to take whatever is inside of you weighing on your shoulders, and take this opportunity to take that weight [away.] Take that weight off your heart. And scream your f—g lungs out."

Rise Against—a Chicago-born, punk-rock band—came to the UCF Arena last Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. for the third performance of their 2012 American tour alongside fellow punk-rock performers The Menzingers and A Day to Remember.

Opening for Rise Against, ADTR's lead singer, Jeremy McKinnon, felt that the audience was one of their largest to date.

"Hey Orlando, you're looking really, really good out there," McKinnon said. "Holy shit, there are a lot of people in this room. This is one of the biggest shows we've played in Florida, period. We absolutely would not be here without you guys. This band is living proof that if you work hard enough and you love what you do, then you can do whatever you want."

ADTR, far from "DIY tour" beginnings in Ocala, FL, performed several hit songs from their four albums, including "All I Want," "It's Complicated," "Homesick," and "Have Faith in Me." The band's performance included throwing streamers and beach balls, targeting the audience with a t-shirt cannon, advocating crowd-surfers upon crowd-surfers, seemingly necessary head-banging and a human bubble performance.

"A Day to Remember—that's what we came for," freshman biology major Kendra Gainer said. "I love the bubble! [McKinnon] getting in the bubble and going over the crowd was awesome. The last time we saw A Day to Remember it was outside, we were drenched in sweat, it started raining, we got a sunburn—[here], it's indoors! It's a lot better environment for sure."

Also leading up to Rise Against's act, punk/indie band, The Menzingers, performed their songs "Sunday Morning," "Time Tables," "I Was Born," and "Deep Sleep."

"It's nice because it's cheaper than regular concerts," freshman biology major Amy Brown said. "You can actually afford [these concerts] on the college budget."

UCF students, however, were not the only ones in attendance. University of Tampa sophomore Angel Khubany made the drive to Orlando with her roommate—an avid Rise Against fan.

"[UCF is] certainly bigger than UT," entrepreneurship major Khubany said. "I'm not a big fan actually; my friend forced me to go. But Rise Against has been good so far, and [they're] okay."

Rise Against is known for their liberal activism as a "hardcore band," one which uses personal music as an avenue to raise awareness on major national issues. They combined a display of personalized videos advocating change with the no-antics representation of pure rock. The band's performance consisted of guitar power ballads, a wildly swinging microphone and an audience who was all too willing to sing along.

Since the formation of the band in 1999, Rise Against has produced five albums in addition to their latest release, Endgame, in March 2011. The band played several of their most popular songs, including "Savior," "Broken English," "Swing Life Away," "Prayer of a Refugee," "Audience of One," "Help is on the Way," and "Re-Education (Through Labor)."

After an encore performance, McIlrath found the words to describe the captivated, Orlando audience.

"Unlike fans anywhere else, Florida," McIlrath said.

All three bands will continue the first half of their 2012 American tour before Rise Against goes overseas Feb. 28 to perform with the bands Architects and Touche Amore. The second half of the 2012 American tour will resume in April, where The Menzingers will be replaced by the band Title Fight, until Rise Against goes back to Europe in June. Those interested in finding out more about tour dates, costs and general information about the band can check out their official website at http://www.riseagainst.com/tour/.