Justin Nuoffer CONCERT REVIEW + PHOTOS
Chevelle, Tigercub, Return to Dust
8/29/24 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/Nuoffermedia.com
One beautiful fall-like Thursday night in Madison, WI couldn’t have been busier. The campus started to have students move back in, and a soccer match was going on at Breese Stevens Field, but The Sylvee was the place to be. The marquee out front had Chevelle sprawled across the front of it. The line to get into the venue ran down Livingston Street and around the corner along East Washington. The glass doors opened and the rush to enter the venue was on, but security at the doors was smooth and easy to maneuver through.
Off to the right, the Chevelle merchandise stand was already busy. Straight ahead the stairs down to the main floor had a flood of people making their way to the general admission area and security rail. Along the back wall the bar runs the entire length and was quite busy as well. The venue is made up of three levels. On the second, two rows of seats wrapped around the floor. Behind them are elevated standing-room spaces. On the third floor, the suites are filled with patrons enjoying the high life. Every single space provides an incredible sight line to the massive stage.
The anticipation was high. The Chicago natives, Chevelle, have come to the crown jewel of music venues in the middle of working on their new album. This rescheduled date was definitely a moment worth waiting for. Return To Dust and Tigercub tagged along as openers. Their tour has spanned the last few months and is now in the final stretch. The Southern California rockers were a fantastic opener. The kids proclaimed very loudly that they were there to rock the joint and they did just that. Despite having a very short set time they managed to dish out enough songs to tickle one’s ears. Return To Dust is in the midst of their very first US tour and you couldn’t tell at all. They looked like savvy veterans. They all were extremely active, head banging and throwing their instruments around reminiscent of a 90s rock show.
Tigercub were also relative unknowns to the massive Chevelle crowd. The three-piece consisting of Jamie Stephen Hall (vocals and lead guitar), James Allix (drums) and Jimi Wheelwright (bass) were given full use of the stage. The spacious area wasn’t intimidating to them at all. Allix’s drum kit was pushed back but center. With a light centered above him, the mood changed and the light glimmered off his kit. Up front, Hall and Wheelwright moved around the stage delivering tasty riffs and grooves. Grooves that would remind you of Muse with a grunge twist attached to it. Overall, the lyrical content was very adult. The topics of depression, anxiety, and the current political climate rang out loudly. Tigercub delivered a memorable performance and acted as a perfect warm-up to Chevelle.
The stage lights darked. A large drum kit was rolled out onto the left side of the stage, and simple mic stands stood on the right side and in the center. Along the entire back of the stage stood nine tall video boards that were paired into threes. The only lighting for the show was spotlights, back lights, and strobes. It was a fantastic view from every spot in the venue.
The crowd was feisty from the first note of Chevelle’s “Young Wicked”. This set the general admission floor off and bodies flew around the pit. The people on the security rail started screaming and singing with their hands reaching out towards the stage. Drummer Sam Loeffler behind his kit smiled away as he smashed his way through “Jars” and “An Island”. His playing managed to hold that slow grinding pace that has become the signature tempo of Chevelle. The venue may not have been ready for “Face To The Floor” and “Family System”. The sheer intense power and brutal breakdowns matched by Pete Loeffler‘s vocals act like a match for the accelerant. Overall, the scene was one of pure fascination. The video boards flashed random images and the sound radiating through the air was absolute perfection.
Moving through the night, Chevelle’s “Hats Off To The Bull” was a moment to remember. Voices were screaming at the top of their lungs. The people with seats on the second deck were standing and losing their minds, leaning over the edge and dancing with every chorus. A feeling of elation filled the space. The back half of the show contained their largest hits and none were larger than “The Red”. Their first massive single still connects. With a red-orange spotlight from behind Pete Loeffler center stage, he starts performing solo. It was his stage for the first two verses. Then he was joined by his brother Sam and touring bassist Kemble Walters. The slow building hard rock classic had the entire room drenched in red and built up the momentum to jettison them towards the home stretch. However, the singalong moments were far from over with “Send The Pain Below” around the corner. The platinum-awarded song was one last chance to sing one’s butts off. The jovial feelings hit at the core. It wasn’t missed on Chevelle. They smiled and pointed at fans along the way.
Closing out the evening with two heavy rippers is exactly what one would expect. “I Get It” and “Mars Simula” were fantastic. The final two tracks allowed Pete to let loose on his guitar. At the start of “Mars Simula” the three videoboard sections projected images of Mars on them and started to spin faster and faster. Sam smashed his high hats and launched into the final song as orange light illuminated the stage. With efficiency and quickness, they tore through the track seeing the end in sight. Then as the harsh screams echoed around and the sound faded away, the band left their instruments lying on stage. The feedback buzzed until it faded completely out. From side stage, Sam’s kids ran out and they began to wave as the Loeffler brothers gave out guitar picks, sticks, and set lists. The lights started to dim and they all walked off together. The visual was endearing.
Chevelle wasted no time. They were there to play what was a greatest hits collection from every one of their major label releases. All twenty tracks were notable and memorable for the band and fans alike. The performance itself was incredible. There were no misses on the evening and as I exited the venue it was the only thing I could think about. The good vibes were felt all around and the sobering night air brought the reality of the incredible performance even more into focus. With a new album imminent, we can only hope Chevelle returns to Madison soon.
Check out the Chevelle concert photo gallery below.
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