Pop Break Live: Rise Against, The Descendents ‘Nowhere Generation Tour’ at The Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ — July 31, 2021.
Photos: Al Mannarino | Words: Ryan DeMarco
The past 18 months here in the States have been nothing short of a disruption to our lifestyle, a shock to our system, an upheaval. The masses have had to make many alterations to the routines we’ve grown accustomed to, which includes certain sacrifices and an absence of things we love.
And in the historic city of Asbury Park, that absence was its music.
On Saturday, July 31, the Chicago based group, known for their progressive and hard hitting lyrics took the stage to a packed venue of devoted, ecstatic fans. Frontman Tim McIlrath spoke of the groups gratitude to be in front of a live audience again, even indicating that there was doubt the moment would ever happen again.
For nearly two hours Rise Against satisfied fans with both hits from their storied catalogue such as Re-Education (through labor), Under the Knife, Help is On the Way as well as new material from Nowhere Generation, the bands ninth studio album that was released on June 4th. New singles still showcase McIlrath’s piercing and defiant voice over a wave of blazing guitar riffs and percussion while also producing a more noticeable amount of melodic flow and social presence.
Prior to Rise’s time slot, the Californian based punk band Descendants efficiently warmed up the crowd with a staggering performance of short but sweet bangers making their stance clear; the good times are coming back.
You could feel the electricity running through the crowd, from the front security to the main stage both staff and guests could not hold their anticipation for the night that was about to unfold as well as long after the mics were turned off.
In the time of the pandemic, music was one of the vices people used to get through the tough times. It’s no doubt that live music was sure to be one of the most felt absences in our lives. And it was. Now that things are returning back to normal, live music will return to provide people an essential part of life they’ve lost, uniting together.
Rise Against Setlist (via Setlist.fm)
The Numbers
Re-Education (Through Labor)
Satellite
The Violence
Broken Dreams, Inc.
Audience of One
Ready to Fall
Nowhere Generation
I Don’t Want to Be Here Anymore
Help Is on the Way
Under the Knife
Talking to Ourselves
Give It All
Tim McIlrath Solo
Forfeit
Swing Life Away
Make It Stop (September’s Children)
The Good Left Undone
Prayer of the Refugee
Encore:
Survive
Worth Dying For
Savior
