The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus @ Park Street Saloon (Columbus, OH) on April 4, 2015 [Show Review]

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of seeing some fantastic bands play at Park Street Saloon in Columbus, Ohio. Most notably, I got to see The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Sure, everyone knows them for their modern pop-punk classic “Face Down,” but they’re so much more than that, and if the show I witnessed is any indication, their art and talent has only become bigger and better over the years.

Almost ten years ago, I saw them play at Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey, and that was the very first time I ever was overtaken by sheer exhilaration, brought on by an amazing live performance. It was my first concert, first time holding up crowd surfers, and the first time screaming along every word I knew with a band I loved. Needless to say, this experience sparked my passion for live music and paved my way to where I am today. Being able to watch them play side stage with my good friends at promotions company BravoArtist this past weekend, was an amazing and very humbling experience.

Their set was engaging, energetic and an absolutely awesome time for all parties involved. They played songs from their latest album 4, with some older songs in the mix from Lonely Road and I Am The Enemy; the crowd sang along to everything they gave them, feeding back the incredible energy this band exuded. Frontman Ronnie Winter was all over the stage, but didn’t miss a note, and guitarist Matt Carter provided impressive solos throughout. Their performance was chock full of shout along moments, and the music flowed and infected the entire crowd. Nobody wasn’t smiling and dancing.

After playing “False Pretenses,” RJA said their goodbyes, but the crowd wouldn’t have it. They demanded an encore. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus ran back on stage and finished off with their signature anthem that has stood the test of time, “Face Down.” This encore shook the entire venue, and incited a deep nostalgia in me that made me remember why I fell in love with live music almost a decade ago. All in all, it was a Saturday night spent well. I urge everyone to revisit The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ music, and if you have yet to do so, discover some of the band’s latest work. Or if you are able, catch them on tour—you won’t regret it.

Check out the song “The Right Direction” here.