In support of their newest record, “Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs,” the Chicago Illinois native band, Alkaline Trio made a pit stop at The Dome at The Toyota Oakdale on Sept. 19, 2024, in support of the previously mentioned record. The three-band bill brought fans from all over the tri-state area to witness guitarist and lead singer Matt Skiba make his full-time return after a seven-year stint with Blink-182.
The night started with the Norwegian band, Slomosa. This is the band’s first time touring The United States and they made a lasting mark on the Wallingford, Connecticut crowd. Led by guitarist and lead singer Benjamin Berdous, the quick six-song set was memorable for the smaller audience that showed up early for the opening set.
Joining Berdous in the band was Tor Erik Bye on guitar, Jard Hole on drums and Marie Moe on bass. For the entire set, the entire band headbanged their way through while receiving a ton of cheers from the audience. By the band’s fourth song, “Rice” off of their newest record, “Tundra Rock,” they fully won the crowd over. If you’re lucky enough, you have to check this up-and-coming band out, you won’t regret it.
Following Slomosa’s set was Spanish Love Songs. The five-piece band from Los Angeles was the perfect middle act. Their indie-sounding rock was a great break up of hard rock sound. Their fresh, different sound captivated the audience – which had grown in size since Slomosa played. Spanish Love Songs played a few more songs than Slomosa but it was only three more, the audience wished they stayed on a lot longer.
The band was founded in 2014 as a three-piece but eventually added guitarist Kyle McAulay and keyboard/guitarist Meredith Van Woert. The band also has a new bassist who only went by the name of Mike. Per lead singer Dylan Slocum, Mike has only been in the band for five days. Slocum was a very charismatic frontman. In between songs he would joke with the audience by saying they were “the world’s most okay rock band,” which received a laugh from the audience.
Spanish Love Songs did exactly what a middle band should be. They were different than the two other bands on the bill, keeping the audience engaged while winning them over at the same time. Spanish Love Songs is one of the best opening bands I have witnessed this year.
Finally, as the night chugged on, a sudden surge was felt throughout the crowd as Alkaline Trio graced the stage. Dressed in suits and shirts and ties, the classy-looking band wasted no time and jumped right into “Hot for Preacher” off of their newest record. Whether it was at the start or the end of the song, a thunderous applause of approval came from the crowd.
With Alkaline Trio on stage, there was new life breathed into the crowd that began to separate into mini mosh pits on either side of the standing-room-only section. Fans who came out to see the band got their money’s worth. Drummer Atom Willard broke a visible sweat from beating the life out of his drum kit. He was a man possessed as he was relentless on the kit, fans could feel the thuds in their chest.
What makes this band so special is Skiba’s ability to play great fast riffs while having an amazing voice at the same time. He can control the upper range of his voice while also playing at a high speed to keep up with the rest of the band. Not many people can sing and play great at such a high level, but Skiba made it look all too easy.
After the first three songs, Skiba and bassist Dan Andriano agreed and said that The Dome at The Toyota Oakdale was “a cool place.” With chandeliers harnessed onto wood above them, it’s hard to disagree with them. Their great harmonies and pop-infused puck rock made for an even better night.
In Kiss-like fashion, Skiba and Andriano both sing lead. It was spectacular to watch them both trade lead vocals. During one song, “Calling All Skeletons,” the screaming fans singing along drowned out the band in a great way. The song started with a deafening cheer and for the entire song, they were singing along at volumes that you only hear at festivals. It was a magical sign of unison.
The band played a total of 21 different songs from their catalog and made sure everyone went home happy. Throughout the night Skiba would point to enthusiastic members of the audience and dedicate songs to them before they played them. It’s amazing to see a talented artist give so much respect to his fans during the show.
If you haven’t yet, you must see Alkaline Trio on this tour. They have the perfect support acts that make fans more and more excited as the night goes on. Once Alkaline Trio does hit the stage, they never stop. They go at such a fast rate that the night seems to move at such a high rate that you never want it to end. If the “Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs” tour rolls into your town, you absolutely must see them.
Slomosa setlist: Afghansk Rev, Estonia, In My Mind’s Desert, Rice, Kevin, Horses
Spanish Love Songs setlist: Lifers, Losers, Self-Destruction (As a Sensible Career Choice), Pendulum, Kick, Losers 2, Haunted, Routine Path, Clean-Up Crew
Alkaline Trio setlist: Hot for Preacher, We’ve Had Enough, Take Lots of Alcohol, Bad Time, Versions of You, Mr. Chainsaw, Emma, Calling All Skeletons, Cringe, Break, Armageddon, Sadie, Time Machine, Mercy Me, Warbrain, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, Private Eyes, Time to Waste, This Could Be Love, Radio
