Written By: Sebastian Barnum Photos By: Emily Rex
View all of Emily's Flyleaf photos here.
Portland, OR - It’s an Oregon night, and things are cold. Everyone in the room is slightly drenched and bearing a grin. The lights go out, and it seems as if the world stops. Lacey Mosley struts onto the stage, along with the rest of her band of misfits, and the world is given a pulse. A flickering chandelier is the only light given to the band, as they begin what I can only describe as awesomeness.
Seeing as Flyleaf’s newest album “Memento Mori” wouldn’t hit shelves for another week, we didn’t know what to expect. But I never expected to see the outstanding performance that would quickly unveil itself. Because the opening band (Paper Tongues) cancelled, it was clear that the band would have to rely just as much on old material as they did new material, which had quite an impact.
The first four songs all came off of their new album, which made it relatively difficult to get emotionally caught up with them. And seeing as almost no one knew the songs, it felt like a slow start, to an unpleasant evening. And then, as if a switch flipped, the band started their fan favorite “Cassie.” Within seconds, the crowd was jumping and screaming the words at the band in some ritual that almost seemed tribal.
Two moments in this evening made it a truly unforgettable experience. The first was seeing Sameer Bhattacharya (Lead Guitar) pull out a violin bow during two different songs. That alone gave me goose bumps - replicating a technique I’ve only known the god of rock, Mr. James Patrick Page (Led Zeppelin) to successfully pull off was jaw dropping to say the least.
The second unexpected and easily the most interesting moment of the evening, Lacy Mosley delivered a touching speech about her faith. It is well established that Flyleaf is a Christian rock group, but when a non-believer hears a concept such as that, they seem to instantly write the band off as a bunch of holy rollers, and as nice as it was, it didn’t do much for me. However, when she followed it with a cover of Kim Walker's “How He Loves,” a Christian anthem, it was moving. Even those with no faith could feel something amazing happen as Lacey wailed the lyrics like a gothic angel.
All in all, it was regrettable that so much of the concert was unknown songs (including the finale), but the show was absolutely amazing. Pure, raw energy filled the Hawthorne Theater that night, and it was divine. I would see Flyleaf any chance I got, and I advise you to do the same.
Want More Flyleaf?
Flyleaf Album Release Party (Review)
Flyleaf Album Release Party (Photos)
Flyleaf @ The El Ray - Los Angeles, CA (Review)
Flyleaf @ The El Ray - Los Angeles, CA (Photos)
Flyleaf @ Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR (Review)
Flyleaf @ Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR (Photos)
Review of Memento Mori
