Live Review: The Amity Affliction, Trophy Eyes, Driven Fear, Sensaii

The line to the Tivoli stretches 200-plus metres from the venue’s doors. Some punters have been here all day , and every other person is decked out in TAA branded apparel. They’ve even set up a temporary merch truck in the car park to meet demand.

The headliners tonight have offered a leg-up to three young Aussie supports in the form of Sensaii, Driven Fear and Trophy Eyes. The first provide blasting metalcore and the second blend a mix of unpredictable punk and post-hardcore sounds, however, it’s Driven Fear who are most impressive, offering punishing hardcore with tempos that snap on a dime.

The Tivoli curtains draw and a skeletal backdrop appears. Chanting has been consistent for the last half-hour, but it’s only a warm-up for the cheers of approval when The Amity Affliction set their sights on the crowd. I Bring The Weather With Me is urgent and angry, and everything you want from an opener. The band sound massive – especially drummer Ryan Burt, who is battering his kit like a man possessed – and every movement is natural and assured. Joel Birch shoots a smile at Ahren Stringer as the bassist high fives the front row. You can tell they’re happy – they’re home.

The four-piece then go about exploring their back catalogue. Never Alone is brutal in its conclusion, with vocalist Birch making Amity’s attitude clear – “we are ready for war”. Clearly out to enjoy their night as much as the illuminated throngs, the boys even throw in a cover of Engine 45 from The Ghost Inside, giving guitarist Dan Brown an opportunity to show off his singing chops, which are oft forgotten beneath Stringer’s huge choruses.

It’s time to introduce some fresh cuts to Brisbane fans. An acoustic guitar is brought into the mix for All Fucked Up, and it’s not so much jarring as it is refreshing to hear. On the flip side, Some Friends is injected with steroids and removed of its syrupy recorded charm. Birch ignites during Shine On – his manic jumping setting the crowd off in near unison. Following Fight My Regret, the Gympie world-beaters then bring it home in style.

Two tracks that really shot Amity into the stratosphere – Pittsburgh and Don’t Lean On Me – are delivered with gusto and received rapturously, with the pit featuring the weird dichotomy of aggressive slam dancers jostling for space. This Could Be Heartbreak rounds out what Stringer calls the “funnest, longest and sweatiest show in this venue”. No one here would be game to argue with the man.