Sweet Oblivion Fall 2023 North American Tour: Baroness w/ Jesus Piece & Escuela Grind @ Variety Playhouse
A few months ago, Baroness announced via their socials that they would release their sixth (6th) studio album entitled, Stone. Soon thereafter, Baroness dropped their Sweet Oblivion Fall 2023 North American tour schedule onto the eager masses. As an added bonus for the fans, check out their amazing supporting artists appearing on selected dates: Jesus Piece, Escuela Grind, Portrayal of Guilt, Primitive Man, KEN Mode, Wayfarer, Chat Pile, Vile Creature, Soul Glo, Sheer Mag, Midwife, Hoaxed, Cloud Rat, Imperial Triumphant, Uniform, and Agriculture. For this tour stop at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia, Jesus Piece and Escuela Grind would be the opening support. If you have followed my column here on Concerthopper.com, you may have recognized Baroness from previous reviews that I have done over the years. So, you must know as a fan that I would not miss this massive tour as Baroness promotes their new album, Stone, across North America with some talented friends.
Baroness is a mix of art/alternative/progressive metal from Philadelphia, PA. that formed in 2003. Baroness has released six (6) LPs, four (4) EPs, and several singles since forming as a band. As mentioned earlier, the album, Stone, their latest release. Currently, the band consists of John Dyer Baizley (lead vocals/rhythm guitar/keyboards/percussion), Nick Jost (bass/keyboards/additional backing vocals), Gina Gleason (lead guitar/backing vocals), and Sebastian Thomson (drums). Anytime that I witness Baroness perform live, I know that I am in for an energetic and fiery performance by the band. Tonight’s blistering performance by Baroness would be no different.
Confession time: over the years I have had the opportunity to take photos of some of my favorite artists/bands, and I have found that I have a fondness for certain artists/bands as I am doing photography during their set. Baroness is one of those acts. Whether it is Baroness’ dynamic energy as they perform blissfully on stage, the moments during their performance when bandmates turn to each other and give each other a joyous smile, the crunchy riffs from both John and Gina and the love and continuous support that they show to the crowd each night gets me every time I see them live.
Baroness The Masquerade 10/18/2023 setlist:
· “Last Word”
· “A Horse Named Golgotha”
· “March to the Sea”
· “Beneath the Rose”
· “War, Wisdom, and Rhyme”
· “Under the Wheel”
· “Chlorine & Wine”
· “Shine”
· “Seasons”
· “Wake Up/Fugue”
· “The Sweetest Curse”
· “Isak”
· “Shock Me”
· “The Gnashing”
Check out Baroness over on their Official Bandcamp page or their Official Shop (merch or Stone) and some them some support!
Jesus Piece is a metalcore/hard core metal band from Philadelphia, PA that formed as a band in 2015. They have released two (2) LPs, three (3) EPs, and several singles and are currently signed to Southern Lord Records. The band features Aaron Heard (vocals), David Updike (guitars), John Distefano (guitars), and Luis Aponte (drums) with touring musician Alexander Cejas (bass). This would be my first time getting a chance to see Jesus Piece perform live. This, I feel, is the point of Baroness bringing out a horde of incredible bands that may have performed under the radar for some music fans. From the start, you could feel the anticipation building in the crowd for the start of their vicious and brutal set. When the band first walked on stage, the crowd let them know that they were ready for the impending onslaught.
Head over to Jesus Piece’s Official Bandcamp page today and give them some support.
Escuela Grind is a power-violence/grindcore/ death-grind band originally from Ithaca, NY (known as Escuela) but is now based out of Pittsfield, MA. The band was formed in 2016 and consists of Katerina Economou (vocals), Kris Morash (guitar/bass), Jason Eldridge (bass/guitars), and Jesse Fuentes (drums). Escuela Grind has released two (2) LPs and several EPs/singles since forming as a band. What can I say except – WOW! Escuela Grind came to Atlanta to lay the foundation for the evening with some fast, heavy, and in-your-face grindcore metal. Those who came early were in for a real treat getting to see Escuela Grind do their thing on stage. You could see the crowd vibing with the band as they powered through their albeit brief but memorable setlist.
Show Escuela Grind some love, head over to their Official Bandcamp page today to check out their merchandise and music.
You can read some of my previous reviews featuring Baroness that were published by Concerthopper over the years by following these links: “Baroness: One Sunday in East Atlanta” (2015), “The Gold & Grey Tour: Baroness & War on Women – Buckhead Theatre” (2019), and “The Omens Tour: Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Baroness, & Suicide Silence: Live at Coca-Cola Roxy!” (2022).
You still have time to catch the Sweet Oblivion Tour before it ends on December 1st in their hometown of Philadelphia, PA at Union Transfer.
October 24, 2023 - Sunshine Theatre Albuquerque, NM w/ Primitive Man & Midwife.
October 25, 2023 - Nile Theater Mesa, AZ w/ Primitive Man & Midwife.
October 27, 2023 - The Observatory Santa Ana, CA w/ Primitive Man, Midwife, & Agriculture.
October 28, 2023 - The Bellwether Los Angeles, CA w/ Primitive Man, Midwife, & Agriculture.
October 29, 2023 - The UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall Berkeley, CA w/ Primitive Man, Midwife, & Agriculture.
October 31, 2023 - Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR w/ KEN Mode and Hoaxed.
November 3, 2023 - The Crocodile Seattle, WA w/ KEN Mode.
November 4, 2023 - Rickshaw Theatre Vancouver, B.C. w/ KEN Mode.
November 6, 2023 - Union Hall Edmonton, AB w/ KEN Mode.
November 7, 2023 - Palace Theatre Calgary, AB w/ KEN Mode.
November 9, 2023 - The Depot Salt Lake City, UT w/ Wayfarer.
November 11, 2023 - Summit Denver, CO w/ Wayfarer.
November 12, 2023 - The Waiting Room Lounge Omaha, NE w/ Wayfarer.
November 14, 2023 - First Avenue Minneapolis, MN w/ Chat Pile.
November 15, 2023 - The Vic Theatre Chicago, IL w/ Chat Pile.
November 17, 2023 - The KING of CLUBS Columbus, OH w/ Vile Creature.
November 18, 2023 - Saint Andrew’s Hall Detroit, MI w/ Vile Creature & Cloud Rat.
November 19, 2023 - The Danforth Music Hall Toronto, ON w/ Vile Creature.
November 20, 2023 - Theatre Beanfield Montreal, Canada w/ Vile Creature.
November 22, 2023 - Empire Live Albany, NY w/ Soul Glo.
November 24, 2023 - Agora Theatre and Ballroom Cleveland, OH w/ Soul Glo & Cloud Rat.
November 25, 2023 - Roxian Theatre Pittsburgh, PA w/ Soul Glo.
November 26, 2023 - Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY w/ Soul Glo.
November 28, 2023 - Royale Boston, MA w/ Sheer Mag & Imperial Triumphant.
November 29, 2023 - Webster Hall New York, NY w/ Sheer Mag & Imperial Triumphant.
December 1, 2023 - Union Transfer Philadelphia, PA w/ Sheer Mag & Uniform.
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