Adelitas Way Will Not Be Stopped
It takes a lot to make it in the cut-throat world of rock and roll and sometimes even the most talented bands fall by the wayside as record labels and corporate entities call the shots. A few brave souls out there decided to take a different approach and do things their own way. Enter the world of Adelitas Way, one of the most successful independent rock bands on the planet. Consistently putting out kick-ass music and always putting on a killer live show, the band has garnered a huge fan base and amassed over 200 million streams worldwide. One thing you can count on is a great show when you head out to an Adelitas Way concert and when they rolled into Amos’ Southend right here in Charlotte, NC on the “Cant’ Stop Us Tour,” we were not disappointed.
Fans were lined up well in advance of doors opening despite the heat of the early evening, excited to once again or perhaps for the first time, catch their favorite band in action. The evening got started early with local favorites Falling Through April kicking things off early on. The band is a staple of the Charlotte rock scene and has recently released their latest single “Paralyzed.” Fresh off a performance at Wisconsin’s Rock Fest, the band was in top form as they ran through a short but solid set, warming up the crowd for the main attraction still to come. If you missed their set, you can still catch a local show at the end of August when the band opens up for the Butcher Babies at Neighborhood Theatre.
Things got a little heavier as next up was Charlotte heavyweights Scars Remain. The pits got going early on as it was clear that Scars Nation was out in force to cheer on their favorite band. Lead vocalist Travis Keziah was in pure beast mode as he got the crowd pumped up and moshing hard, closing out their set with their latest single “Wish I Was.”
Hailing from Anderson, South Carolina, Seven Year Witch hit the stage running, twisting, jumping, and everything in between. If you have never seen the band play live, put it on your must-do list. They have a great sound with a mix of classic rock, new rock, and a bit of funk to keep things interesting. Their energy level was off the charts and the crowd at Amos’ Southend ate it up. It was a perfect segue into the headlining act of the night, Adelitas Way.
As Adelitas Way roared into the opening strains of “Stay Hungry,” the audience went wild with excitement because the moment they had waited patiently for had finally arrived. From that point on, it was one rock and roll moment after another as the night went on. Frontman Rick DeJesus has a great personality that shines on stage, making you feel as if you were the only one in the room at times as the band ran through a list of their hits. His vocals soared through the venue whether you were upfront at the barricade or upstairs in the balcony, there wasn’t a bad spot to watch the show. The mosh pits that began earlier in the evening had opened back up while others were content to bounce and jump in their spots. The band sounded tight as always and every time drummer Tre Stafford broke a stick Rick made sure it got into a fan’s hands. The band gave a shout out to all the veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers thanking them for their service, and also acknowledged a fan who had been to numerous (by her count 34, although Rick called that number a little low) and told her to get down to the barricade since she was such a ball of energy. Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without getting a little “Invincible” which closed out the set.
And just like that, what started as an ordinary Thursday evening in Southend, ended up as a fantastic night of rock and roll all thanks to Adelitas Way. I guess it’s true that if you do what you love and do it the right way, you really can’t be stopped, just like Adelitas Way!
If you missed your chance to catch the show, don’t worry. The band has announced they will be heading out on the road with Skillet on The Aftermath Tour and will also be headlining some shows in between including a return to the Queen City. This time you will be able to catch the band at the Underground Charlotte on September 23rd. For show and ticket information, go to www.adelitaswaymusic.com.
Don’t forget to check out the brand new single from Adelitas Way “I Will Not Be Stopped.”
