August Burns Red: 10th Anniversary Leveler Tour

It was a bit rainy outside, but that didn’t stop a venue full of concert fans from attending the 10th Anniversary tour for the Leveler album by August Burns Red. The concert was held at the Fillmore Charlotte, an industrial-looking building right outside of the heart of Charlotte, NC. Being a Live Nation venue, concert-goers had to provide proof of vaccination, or a negative Covid test, in order to enter the venue.

On the bill opening for the evening was Like Moths to Flames, Erra, and Fit For a King. Up first was Like Moths to Flames, a US metalcore band that was formed in early 2010. Through several line-up changes throughout the years, the band released its 5th studio-length album on November 5, 2021, called Pure Like Porcelain. The venue was not quite full yet, as fans made their way out of the rain and stood through security lines as LMTF took the stage. While the front of the stage was filling up by the barricades, the band was able to get the crowd excited for the evening to come.

After a quick breakdown of the stage, the band Erra took the stage next. The band formed in 2009 and also has been through several line-up changes, with the most recent lead vocals, held by J.T. Cavey since 2016. The band released their 5th studio and self-titled album earlier in 2021. Erra definitely brought some new energy to the stage, as the crowd was getting into the flow of the evening as they finished up their set.

The last opening band, Fit for a King, took the stage next. Lighting progressively got better and so did the photos. The band brought a whole new energy to the stage, with both the bassist and lead guitarist jumping off of their risers every few minutes, and sometimes simultaneously. The bassist also took his bass and slung it around his body in the air multiple times. I swear it looks like it was twirling so fast, it was bound to break loose from the straps and knock a band member in the head. Luckily, that didn’t happen, but it was quite the sight to see. Fit for a King released a collaborative EP with August Burns Red on July 16, 2021, called Guardians of the Path.

Before August Burns Red took the stage, security presence really upped their game, stacking four or five security folks across the front of the stage. We were told that once crowd surfing began, we were to get out of the way of security and let them do their jobs. Ok, no problem. But what we didn’t realize was that we would be kicked out of the pit during the first song. Once August Burns Red took the stage and began playing the first song off the Leveler album, the crowd surfing began. And let me tell you, it didn’t stop the whole evening. After getting a few shots off in the pit, I was able to cover the remaining show from the front of house, which I actually like better. I enjoy getting the light emitting from the full stage, while also including the crowd in the shots for this type of venue and show. Lead singer, Jake Luhrs promoted the crowd surfing, letting fans know that the security at the front of the stage would keep them safe. That’s a bit reassuring, knowing that there have been bad accidents caused by crowd surfing.

As this was the 10th Anniversary tour for the Leveler album, the band played the full album front to start. Once they were done with the full album, the band took a short break, while giving the drummer, Matt Greiner, time to give an outstanding drum solo that seemed to go on for at least five minutes. It was actually his birthday that evening, and the crowd sang him “Happy Birthday,” at the direction of lead singer, Jake Luhrs. The night was full of fist-pumping, crowd surfing, mosh pitting, and unbelievable noise coming from those speakers! Luckily my ear protection did their job as I rocked the night away to August Burns Red. From the back of the house, a fellow rocker was having the time of his life, never stopping a beat. Luhrs, not speaking much during the evening, actually gave acknowledgment to the fan, noticing that he was jumping up and down to the music the whole time. There was a surprise during the evening, with Ryan Kirby, vocalist for Fit for a King, took the stage with ABR for “Poor Millionaire.”

August Burns Red is taking a break for the month of November, but going back on the road for a few dates in December, before touring across the ocean. ABR has been touring for quite some time, and I’ve been able to catch them quite a few times. Their performance never disappoints, so next time you hear that August Burns Red is making its way near you, I encourage you to go and rock the night away.