The band's line of shows on the West Coast had a hell of a start.
Words, Photos by Raymond Camacho (@punk_monk_ray) at
The Echoplex in Los Angeles on September 29, 2023:
With an array of stellar 2023 represses of standout albums from the band's catalog, including Axe To Fall, No Heroes, and the Roadburn recording of Jane Doe, Converge set their sights on the road for a string of shows in celebration of their revered discography. The first stop was The Echoplex in Los Angeles, joined by a standout opening crew consisting of Deaf Club, King Yosef, and Entry. As the opening acts concluded and excitement grew amongst the crowd, Converge, led by their commanding frontman Jacob Bannon, walked onto the stage and swarmed over a packed Echoplex with a massive wall of sound.
Once the memorable, When Eagles Become Vultures, rang on, bodies began to move forward and the night's headliners delivered big. A pulsing Benjamin Koller drum performance drove forth an astounding opening sequence that set the tone.
Whether it be the piercing Bannon screams or Nate Newton's rumbling bass lines, the band as a whole were at their prime, each member excelling on their respective end. The discography spanning set was chock full of hits that brought the best of the band's instrumentation front and center, pleasing fans across the stacked Converge timeline. Under Duress, Axe To Fall, Hell To Pay, and Reap What You Sow among others shined on, living again under the live mastery of Kurt Ballou and the band. Converge made great use ofeEvery inch of that Echoplex stage.
I Can Tell You About Pain and Concubine closed the night with conviction, each drawing great energy from a pleased LA crowd. It was a thrill.
As we walked out of the venue, it was evident that those faithful to Converge were out in full force, filling the room with the utmost enthusiasm. Having been to countless Converge shows of my own, there were many returners amongst us. The band could schedule a residency in LA and each and every night would welcome a familiar face, speaking highly of the grip that the band have on avid listeners across the globe. Few dates remain in California and a couple more are scheduled for Boston and Sayerville, so scroll below and bask in the madness of the tour kickoff in anticipation.
Converge Live Dates (Tickets)
October 6 Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival
October 7 Santa Cruz, CA @ The Vets Hall *
October 8 Pomona, CA @ Glass House *
November 17 Boston, MA @ Roadrunner ^
November 18 Sayerville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom ^
* w/ Deaf Club, Elizabeth Colour Wheel, Entry
^ w/ Botch, Cave In
Converge Photo Gallery
