311 Was a Banger on Tuesday at The Factory

Sean Derrick September 29, 2023 0 Comments 311, AWOLNATION, Blame My Youth, Saint Louis concert review and photos

–by Danya Artimisi

Tuesday evening was calm before the storm, literally and figuratively, as fans lined up at The Factory in Chesterfield for 311 with special guests: AWOLNATION and Blame My Youth.

Blame My Youth released their debut album in 2022, but they each had a long heavenly rock road that paved the way to this configuration. The band took the stage at 7:00 P.M. and played a 30-minute set to about a half full venue. Late comers missed out on this part of the rock show trifecta. Conversations could be heard from people claiming new-fan status of Blame My Youth, of which was no surprise. They delivered a loud, energetic, and no-fucks given set that surpassed its duty of warming up the crowd who erupted in turn.

After a 20-minute change over, AWOLNATION hit the stage in a blur of soft but fierce, warm light and smoke. Their set never gained momentum. It stayed at a baseline of which was face-melting from start to finish. Frontman, Aaron Bruno, performed elegantly eccentric movements paired with vocals, both seemingly in desperation, mania, and psychedelia.

AWOLNATION performing at The Factory in Saint Louis Tuesday. Photo by Danya Artimisi/ Danya Artimisi Creative.

AWOLNATION was pushed into the mainstream in 2011 with their most notable hit, Sail, which was the capitulation of their 8-song, 45-minute set. The “middle child” of the night was more memorable and wonderfully weird than that of its traditional definition.

The headliner for the evening, 311, kicked off their 90-minute set at 9:05 P.M. with their big hit, “Beautiful Disaster”, with nineteen more songs to follow. By this time the venue was filled close to capacity. Tickets remained at last check on Ticketmaster, appearing to be re-sell tickets. Nonetheless, it was crammed and there were lit up faces and vibes for miles.

311 played all of their hits, as well as the deep cuts from albums that the diehards do not know as such, and The Factory was full of said die-hards dating back to the band’s first step onto the scene 35 years ago, right out of Nick Hexum’s basement where he recorded the first EP aptly named Downstairs. Doing the math, those diehards are well into their 40s (some in their 50s!), while their idols are much further ahead of them, but you’d never be able to tell as Hexum is ripped!! The frontman surely doesn’t rely on the stage for his workout, and it shows…oh, how it shows.

The band wrapped up their set with arguably their biggest hit, Down, and sent their fans home full-bellied and satisfied.

Check out the gallery from the show after the setlists below. And check out more of Danya’s work at Instagram.com/danya_artimisi_creative and at danyaartimisicreative.com

Setlists:

Blame My Youth:

Dance With My Demons

Tentacles

Stupid Human

SOS

They Only Love You When You’re Dead

Prizefighter

AWOLNATION:

People

Kill Your Heroes

Passion