Knocked Loose at Boeing Center at Tech Port

I’m no stranger to punk and hardcore shows. I’ve seen the Misfits, Circle Jerks, Black Flag and been to my fair share of Van’s Warped Tours, but when one of the opening bands says “I want to see 50 crowd-surfers during this next song,” you know it’s going to be a good show.

Knocked Loose played at Boeing Center Tech Port in San Antonio for their tour promoting their new album, “You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To.” The Kentucky metalcore band has solidified themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tour scene. High energy and pent-up emotions were at an all-time high, you could immediately tell this was what people had been waiting for. I always say that shows are where you go to feel your stress and problems melt away and this show delivered just that. I even began to feel a little jealous that I wasn’t in the pit two-stepping with the crowd.

The lineup felt like going through a manic depressive episode. From pretty chill borderline pop-punk to no rules apply punk to industrial experimental “I don’t know what’s going on” to hell yeah let’s two-step this shit out.

I have to shout out Drain. These guys brought old-school California fight music to San Antonio and we were ready for it. Their set was the most hyped crowd-fueled controlled chaos I have seen in a while and I was here for it. Being that short girl in the photo pit during the first three songs reminded me why I love punk and the energy. Vocalist Sammy Ciaramitaro was taking no prisoners, he made sure everyone was there to have a good time. Drain did what every good opening band does…give the crowd a taste of what’s to come and warm them up for the main course.

Knocked Loose might have been the most intense experience I have had in a photo pit EVER! The crowd’s energy was palpable and was influencing me to focus on the crowd’s experience versus what was happening on the stage. Crowd shots are the best because this is what live music represents, us… the fans. The floor was mayhem, filled with adrenaline, sweat, a healthy dose of alcohol, crowd surfing and moshing.

From start to finish, Knocked Loose created an incredible set, playing songs from all three of their studio albums, songs from their “A Tear in the Fabric of Life” EP and both songs from “Upon Loss Singles.” This setlist made myself and the rest of the crowd feel like we were part of the music.

One issue I did have with the show was the sound. Boeing Center at Tech Port is a state-of-the-art arena but the vocals for Millitare Gun, The Garden and some of Knocked Loose’s set were drowned out by the instruments. I was in the photo pit and was having trouble making out the lyrics to songs unless I was standing right by the speaker.

Setlist: