LIVE REVIEW: ADELITAS WAY AND SAVAGE AFTER MIGNIGHT AT THE WINDBREAK

I ventured to my first show at the Windbreak here in Fargo, ND Wednesday night and honestly my initial thought was “Why?”. A bar next door to a truck stop, with paper thin walls adjacent to the stop’s restaurant doesn’t seem like the ideal location for a rock concert. Anyone parked hoping to catch a quick nap was in for a rough time when Adelitas Way rolled in with Savage After Midnight and Taking Dawn. 

​   Taking Dawn, the Las Vegas “fret-melters” as they describe themselves on their facebook, kicked off the night. Literally. I hadn’t yet experienced a group as rowdy as these four. Blasting heavy metal reminiscent of the late 80’s, they came running through the room from the front doors vice entering from back stage. Their enthusiasm could easily have been mistaken for rage as they whipped their hair around on stage and thrashed violently while playing. They were all over the room, heckling those in their seats to get on their feet. I was sitting at the bar during their set and was taken aback when frontman Chris Babbitt hopped on the bar top, still shredding on his guitar. These antics easily made Taking Dawn the most entertaining, to say the least.

​   Now that everyone was on their toes, next to rattle the room was Savage After Midnight. Their performance rivaled the headliner’s, it being high energy and completely engaging. They brought the fans close to the stage with their post-metal alternative grind, their music being fun and easy to get in to. Their hard rock cover of Alanis Morissette’s “You Outta Know” had the whole crowd bopping and singing along. Though the stage was small, the five members made the most of it, not holding still a single moment. Savage After Midnight is versatile enough to reach variety of listeners with the blend of clean and growling vocals, heavy guitar riffs and electronic beats.

   Adelitas Way didn’t need an introduction. Their long time fans were squished against the stage as the lights came back on and the band took their places. The audience was of the more middle aged demographic, mostly due to the venue I feel, but for a Wednesday night they couldn’t be disappointed about the turn out.They were all loud and appreciative as the music boomed through the small space. Lead singer Rick DeJesus announced that they were going to make sure those outside could hear what they were missing, and I am sure those lingering next door were feeling the fomo. 
   Having rocked the mainstream scene since 2006, Adelitas Way has an array of notable numbers, from ballads to anthems. Their music is catchy and grabs a broad spectrum of listeners. They knew exactly what everyone would want to hear, performing a lineup of their most well known and crowd pleasing hits, rounding the night off with “Invincible”. Fargo definitely enjoyed their time at the What It Takes Tour.

Full SAVAGE AFTER MIDNIGHT Photo Coverage Here.
Full ADELITAS WAY Photo Coverage Here.