When a band catches fire, it’s fun to watch their ascent. And when that band has a frontman or a band member who’s been controversial but then gets their life together, it’s even more fun to watch.
Enter Falling in Reverse and singer Ronnie Radke.
Just five or six years ago, Falling in Reverse were popular but were also playing side stages at festivals and packing out clubs. Then, the pandemic hit and they released “Popular Monster.” The band started really blowing up and then every song that followed became an even bigger hit.
When they announced their summer Popular MonsTour with a massive lineup of Black Veil Brides, Dance Gavin Dance, Tech N9ne and Jeris Johnson, it didn’t surprise anyone that the Indianapolis show sold out Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park. It did surprise one person- Radke; more on that later.
The tour would put two of the most polarizing frontman in all of rock together on one tour- Radke and Black Veil Brides singer Andy Biersack- who has a similar story as Radke- and has completely turned his image and perception around.
Jeris Johnson kicked off the show early with a set loaded with swords, dances, animal furs and metal. His latest album, Dragnoborn just released a few weeks ago and he’s been riding high on the popularity from XM radio’s Octane. The fans who showed up early were ready to rock out with Johnson and the ones who weren’t familiar became instant fans.
Tech N9ne was the set that a lot of fans were intrigued by and excited for as he was different from everyone else on the bill, bringing a set of rock and metal-styled rap to Indy and, as the lights dimmed and the heavy bass kicked in, fans erupted in excitement.
From the moment he took the stage, Tech N9ne commanded the audience’s attention and launched into a few medleys of fan favorites, and the crowd sang along word for word. It was clear that the energy was mutual; every rhyme and beat was met with enthusiasm.
He told a few short stories and introduced each song by telling the fans whether the song went gold or platinum without any radio support and thanking the fans every time.
After Dance Gavin Dance wrapped up a unique set that had fans dancing, singing and screaming along to every song, Black Veil Brides took over.
The crowd was deafening as Andy Biersack, Jinxx, Jake Pitts, CC Coma and Lonny Eagleton walked onstage after a tune from “Phantom of the Opera” ominously played over the speakers with dark red lights illuminating the stage.
They ripped through a quick, seven-song set that encompassed their entire career, playing songs off of almost every record from their career but also had to leave out some heavy-hitting songs too.
The fans were absolutely insane, their ear-piercing screams roaring through the venue and the band gave every ounce of energy back, not standing still at all, roaming from one side of the stage to the other, often times unable to be heard from the crowd singing along to every song.
Throughout the set, it was hard for the band to hide their appreciation, smiling big until the final notes of “In The End.”
As the lights came back up, the energy and anticipation were palpable and, when the lights went down, everyone lost their minds as “Highway to Hell” blasted over the PA.
As the song played, the video screen behind the stage showed Falling in Reverse walking from their bus to the stage, warming up backstage, getting hyped up and then taking the spotlight.
Ronnie Radke stood front and center, illuminated only by a single spotlight as “Prequel” began before the band amped it up for “Zombified.”
The amount of pyro was unbelievable and some of the most you’ll ever see at any concert; how they didn’t burn down the stage is still a surprise. Radke paced from end-to-end of the stage, walking across a stage-length platform getting the crowd involved more and more with each song.
During the set, the video board showed music videos from each song and Radke would look behind him from time to time to look and make jokes about how he looked back then, poking fun at his hair and more.
Appreciation was the theme of the set for Falling in Reverse. The fact that fans were drowning out the band and Radke’s vocals even on the songs from over 10 years ago clearly affected Radke.
He took numerous moments to thank the fans for their support and reflected on the days when they couldn’t sell out a venue in Indianapolis outside of Warped Tour and how blown away he was that they sold this show out in Indy.
There’s something special when over 20,000 people come together and are singing at the top of their lungs together. Walking through the crowd during “Popular Monster,” people were dancing, jumping, singing, hugging each other and having as much fun as they possibly could and that’s how you know the concert was a success.
-Reggie Edwards