Swedish rock sensation Smash Into Pieces recently reached a new level of popularity in their homeland after participating in the Swedish Eurovision contest. Ready to take on a new challenge, the band embarked on their North American tour a couple of weeks ago, before touring some more through Europe later in the year. On April 28th, the guys stopped by the Knitting Factory in North Hollywood to deliver an incredible performance to a sold-out audience. Although this was the band’s first headlining US tour, they have toured in the past opening for bands like Within Temptation amongst others, building up a fan base along the wat on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. An hour before the door opening time, the line of fans was already starting to grow outside the door.
At 7:45 Citizen Soldier, from Salt Lake City took the stage. The band had also attracted some of their fans displaying merch and T-shirts from previous shows. Jake, the singer, kept interacting with the audience throughout the set, recognizing familiar faces in the crowd. Songs like “Thank You For Hating Me” and “Stronger Than My Storm” got a strong reaction from fans singing back to the band. They played “Broken Like Me”, a song that is yet to be released on their future album. Jake revealed that when he’s not on stage, he works as therapist and dedicated one of their songs to people suffering from PTSD. The band hand around the merch booth after the show to connect with their fans.
Around 8:30, the lights went out again for Smash Into Pieces, the main attraction of the night, to take the stage. A shape started walking over the stage as bright lights flickered. APOC (aka The Apocalypse DJ), the band’s drummer with his light-up signature mask appeared on stage, getting the crowd warmed up for the show to come. The band opened with “Wake Up” which instantly got the audience clapping and jumping. The setlist primarily included songs released since the band’s Arcadia cycle (2020), but some older hits were played too, like “Let Me Be Your Superhero” or “Like This!”. From one song to another, Chris (vocals) showcased how wide his vocal range actually is, from lower growls to higher notes. Per (guitar) made the show with his untamable stage energy. Benjamin, the usual second guitarist did not join the band for this tour, but KJ from Swedish metal band Kill The Kong filled in for the occasion and did a great job at keeping up with the band. Towards the end of the show, the band played “Six Feet Under” the song that propelled them into the spotlights in Sweden earlier this year. The Knitting Factory’s audience showed the band that the song was as appreciated by American listeners as it is in . Around 9:45, the band closed their set with the banger “Boomerang” released as a single back in 2017.
SETLIST: Wake Up / Glow In The Dark / Big Bang / Broken Parts / Deadman / Sleepwalking / Forever Alone / Let Me Be Your Superhero / All Eyes On You / Arcadia / Higher / Running Away From Home / Vanguard / Stronger / Like This! / Six Feet Under / Boomerang
SMASH INTO PIECES
CITIZEN SOLDIER
Photos + Review by Manuel Gay | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!