Stephen Baksis
Underoath’s September 24th, 2024, show at Stage AE in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania was a night of relentless energy and emotional connection. While Underoath is on tour celebrating the 20thanniversary of ‘They’re Only Chasing Safety’, the band brought their signature post-hardcore sound to life with ferocity.
Static Dress opened the evening and came all the way from England. The main job of an opener is to impress the crowd and get everyone amped up in anticipation for the main act. Static Dress did just that. They impressed me with their high- energy performance while Olli Appleyard, the lead vocalist guided his band mates through their epic set list while jumping all over the stage. The Bassist was also a very intriguing figure to keep an eye on during the show as he was wearing a black trench coat and a super creepy all white mask. The band decorated the stage with old tube tv’s playing various images to correspond to the music being played, which I thought was the perfect touch. The fans seemed to enjoy their set a lot and I would recommend checking out their music. They are fresh off a new single called ‘Crying’ which was released on May 15th with Roadrunner Records.
After Static Dress finished performing, stagehands began the intermission to prepare for Underoath’s elaborate stage set up, for somewhat of a shocking start to their performance. On top of the stage was a riser assembled, with stairs that led to the stage floor. At the top of the stairs laid a couch with lamps next to it, and then platforms on both sides for band members. Now this is where I was shocked. I expected Underoath to come out swinging but instead they chose a more intimate vibe to open their set with. The lights were practically out while Aaron Gillespie sat on the couch singing ‘Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape.’ It was a very intimate moment and a powerful way to lead off their set. The setlist was packed with fan favorites like “Young and Aspiring” and “A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White,” creating moments of pure nostalgia. In addition to playing the album in full, they also even performed a couple more songs the close the night out. Throughout the set the intensity never faltered, and Spencer Chamberlain’s vocals were as raw and dynamic as ever. He shifted between screams and melodic passages so effortlessly. I grew up listening to Underoath although I never got to make it out to a show. I will say that I wish I didn’t wait as long to see them live!Underoath did right by the fans who have shown them love for all these years. By the end of the night, they let the fans feel like they weren’t just attending a normal concert but sharing the celebration of the band’s legacy and evolution. For the Pittsburgh crowd specifically, it was a night that cemented Underoath’s lasting impact on the post-hardcore scene.
Live from the Pitt 