Melrose Avenue Brings Viral Momentum to a Packed Underground Arts in Philly
Hailing from Australia, the pop-metalcore band Melrose Avenue has gained a lot of attention across social media recently — and for good reason. The band had Underground Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, packed nearly to the brim last Friday. The energy and sense of community were palpable, with audience members chatting and singing along to house music before the first notes of the set even rang out.
STRAY VIEW
Stray View set the tone for the evening, delivering a high-energy set featuring many of their hits like “Vanity” and “Wasteland.” Their modern alternative sound was fun and fresh with catchy melodic hooks backed by heavy chugging guitars.
AUTUMN KINGS
Autumn Kings, a Canadian rock band, took the stage next, with soaring vocals, raps, and guitar riffs. Their music was a really intriguing fusion of different genres and styles, having a bit of something for everyone to enjoy.
MELROSE AVENUE
Then came the moment the crowd had been waiting for, and many turned to watch the stage door with bated breath, phones set to record. The lights dimmed, and a blazing instrumental track played as Melrose Avenue finally took to the stage.
Frontman Vlado Saric exuded a magnetic stage presence from the very beginning. You could feel the band members' connection, with Saric moving about the stage to interact with the guitarists, joking with Mitchell Black, and even kissing Shawn Mayer on the top of his head mid-song. At one point, everyone stopped playing to watch an electrifying drum solo from Jed McIntosh.
Melrose Avenue played a mix of their discography, leaning heavily into their latest singles, including “Bad Guy”, “Through Hell”, and “Taste.” As an upbeat, sensual song, “Taste” was inspired by the fans who have shown Melrose Avenue so much love in the ‘booktok’ community online.
Although a majority of the songs they played were more energetic, Melrose Avenue slowed things down for a Bring Me the Horizon cover and one of their own songs, “This is the End.” The small venue and the lack of a barricade jointly lent to the raw, emotional nature of the song, as Saric was able to pour his heart out to fans with no walls in the way.
As many fans would know, Saric is an avid animal lover with critters of his own. No one left the venue empty-handed as PETA2 handed out free guides to going vegan and the cutest sticker sheets on the way out.
Nearly halfway through their USA tour, Melrose Avenue will soon sweep through Europe this summer. If they’re in your area, it’s a show you do not want to miss!