Cornerstone - Florida 2003
Once again, I stayed near stage 1 so I could see Cool Hand Luke. Their mellow rock was the most distinct sound at Cornerstone. They sound like no one else. I didn't know that drummer Mark was the lead vocalist. Guess I just never took the time to read their liner notes. They played every song so perfect that it sounded like the sound man had just popped in their CD and turned it up to level 328. It was touching to hear everyone join in at the end of "So Shall It Be" to sing the Halleluiahs. They said everyone hates them because they never play any old stuff, so they ended with an old one called "10 or 40."
Next up, hometown boys Anberlin. There were groupies everywhere screaming "I love you Steve", "Marry me Nathan!" It was kind of annoying, but Anberlin is so good that I totally forgot about the crazy people in front of me. They kicked off the set with ?"Glass for the arson" and kept pouring out stuff from their debut Blueprints for the Black Market that came out Tuesday. Stephen had the whole crowd in the palm of his hand and definitely had the best frontman performance of Cornerstone FL. I Love their song "Foreign Language" and seeing the groupies faces as Stephen sang "Girls just lie!" was priceless! This band has what it takes to be huge. They ended with the MP3 hit "Readyfuels."
Now for legends ZAO. They used the first three songs to introduce us to their new project Jade Meridian. Then we got ZAO. Jeremy played drums for the first three songs, Russ played for two, and then Lance from Living Sacrifice played for one. I thought it was over and it had been I would have been satisfied. They were awesome. But it wasn't over. They dragged Jeremy out of the lake (I guess he was hot) and made him play one more song with them. I know this had been said over and over by ZAO, but this may have been their last show, that is, if they don't play Cornerstone in Bushnell, this year.
Now it was Denison Marrs time. These are Florida boys who sprang up under in my underground. I don't own any of their albums for a reason, they don't impress me. They played a semi energetic set that all sounded the same until the last song. They ended with a new song I really dug. If they keep making songs like their ender, I might actually buy their next album.
For dinner me and Jorge hung out in the Indoor Stage and consequently heard The Violent Burning play. I literally lay down and just listened. They were very melodic and soothing but at the same time inspiring, like having someone whisper revolution in your ear.
I didn't see the end because I had to go see Living Sacrifice play. These 13 year veterans are hardcore kings. This is supposedly their last Florida show ever, so it was something I couldn't miss. I love that they have a percussion/second drum set and that everyone but Lance sings. At anytime you can four LS members screaming at you. They got immediate crowd response, including a monster circle pit. They ended with Reject and didn't have to sing a lyric because the audience was so loud. Almost everyone from the other bands were standing around to see LS for a reason, they rock!
Squad 5-0 was just getting started as LS ended. I don't know what it is about Squad 5-0's sound, but they are set apart from every other rock group somehow. Their set was all energy and very rock-n-roll. They played two new songs. I can't remember the title of the first, but the second was called "I don't want to be alone." They sounded just like all the other songs, so I guess that means if you like the old stuff you will like their new stuff.
I left early to get front row to Blindside. Oh, oh my, was Blindside ever good! Their set was just crazy go nuts awesome! Jesus walks on water: Christian from blindside walks on crowds. He took 4 steps into the audience before he ever sunk below crowd level. After one song, Christian asked us to take up the energy a notch, and we did. When they played "King of the Closet" we took it up. Then they surprised us with the title track "Silence." I didn't expect a slow song. Then they played "Pitiful," we took the level higher than before, and on the ender "Sleepwalking" we took it to a high. The best thing to me was that they didn't play their song EXACTLY like they are on the CD. Most had extended ending choruses. What else could you expect from these Swedes but an amazing show?
The last band for me was Further Seems Forever. Busted the show open with "How to start a fire" kept giving us songs from the album that bears that name, and gave us everything they had. Jason put every once of his power into every lyric. Between songs Chad (bass) asked us to support Christian bands even after they hit mainstream, not to just forget them. The crowd went nuts when they played the two old songs "The Moon is down" and "New Years Project." I was very, very impressed by this bands live performance.
That's it for me. I missed the last band of the festival, Pedro the Lion, but I had to go. Jorge's mom wanted us to hurry home so we could go to church on Mother's Day. End statement: Cornerstone is the best festival ever!
Review by Aaron Wilkinson
©2003 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved
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Comments
There is nothing "legendary" about Switchfoot
Switchfoot??? You skipped experiencing some of the most astounding hardcore bands to help Switchfoot softies. I think it is wonderful that you helpped out an artist, but you must think what was it at the expense of? You are held at the highest esteem for some pretty remarkable reviews and articles.
In the soundless awe and wonder, words fall short to hope again how beatiful how vast your love is, new forever world without an end.
switchfoot are great guys and deserve the attention
Anberlin was the highlight for me!
Although this was a very complete review of what the review saw, I found the article read as if written by a junior high school student. Is this what HM journalism is coming to? I'm not sure but this article may have broken the record for most frequent, inappropriate use of the word "legend". By the way, is it just me or is the "Christian" hardcore music some of the most monotonous music around?
Does anyone have anything good to say?
I must say that I skipped out on LS (because their live show bores me..sorry) and I went and seen a fantastic up and coming band called The Darling Articles. Who is bringing back the ROCK!! Check them out at Cornerstone Bushnell on the Impromtu Stage and on Saturday at the Decapolis Stage!! The Apprentice Rules too!!
COOL! Where can I find pics of the event?
You forgot to review My Own Sky. They played on Stage one on Saturday. They were awesome!!! Maybe they'll be back next year!
I agree with the reviewer. All you "hardcore" people just settle yourselves down. Switchfoot may not be legendary but they rock in a way that all those typical "hardcore" bands dont.
Further Seems Forever is an awesome band! Wish i coulda seen them too!
Cornerstone Festival Florida
May 7, 5pm - Midnight
May 8, 10am - Midnight
Tickets: $49.00 - call 1-773-989-2087
www.cornerstonrflorida.com
Bands: Ann Arbour, Forever Changed, My Own Sky, The Roosevelts, Angela Griner, As I Lay Dying, Brandtson, By The Tree, Evan Anthem, Ezekiel's Eye, Decahedron, Denison Marrs, Fireflight, Further Seems Forever, Glenn Kaiser, Glory Bullfighter, Holland, Lovedrug, Mourning September, One 21, Over the Rhine, Pedro the Lion, Project 86, Rita Springer, Shane Bernard and Shane Everett, Smalltown Poets, Squad 5-0, Stephen Christian, Stereo Motion, The OC Supertones, Telecast, Underoath, Violet Burning, Watashi Wa, ZAO, Anberlin, Beloved, Bleach, Blindside, Chris Tomlin, The Colemans, Cool Hand Luke, Dead Poetic, Denison Witmer, The Kick, Noise Ratchet, Norma Jean, Number One Gun, The Party People, Pillar, Relient K, Saxon Shore, Skillet, Stretch Arm Strong, more tba…
@ Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808.
