Does it Offend You, Yeah? and Pendulum

Does it Offend You, Yeah? and Pendulum (Opening acts for “A Thousand Suns” Linkin Park Tour)
1/20/2011
Event Rating: ★★★½☆
Venue: Bank Atlantic Center (Sunrise, FL)
Presented by: Live Nation

“Hi. We are Does it Offend You, Yeah? and we’re from England,” front man James Rushent yelled from the stage of the Bank Atlantic Center on January 20.

The rising electronic rock group from Reading really didn’t need much more of an introduction. Their sound spoke for itself. The focus was noise; very loud, heart pumping, energy infused, brilliant noise.

Actual lyrics were barely audible and the vastness of the venue and distance of the stage made it difficult to see the faces of the band members, but the mood Does it Offend You, Yeah? set was definitely not hard to feel.

In fact the raging chaos emanating from the stage ended too quickly. The band started on time at 8 p.m. and wrapped up its last song at around 8:25 p.m.

For an opening band, Does it Offend You Yeah, did its job, giving the intensely anxious and excited crowd some head banging practice and pumping the crowd full of hot energy just in time for the highly anticipated Linkin Park.

But before that, Australian/British band, Pendulum, had a go at keeping the arena of the Bank Atlantic Center ablaze with more fierce electronic rock.

Sandwiched between Does it Offend You, Yeah? and Linkin Park, however, put Pendulum at a slight disadvantage. After Pendulum’s first few numbers, the crowd seemed a tinge more restless and less focused on the performance.

Nevertheless, Pendulum still brought it. The group definitely placed more emphasis on identifiable instrumental sounds, specifically fostering a strong drum presence. This, coupled with beyond incredible lighting effects, created a fierce atmospheric balance of intensity and legitimacy. As their set list progressed, however, Pendulum moved toward a slight techno sound, allowing for a little less stimulating energy.

The vibe coming from both bands is definitely a promising one. Kudos to Linkin Park for choosing awesome framers to set the tone for the first leg of their “A Thousand Suns” North American tour.

*Stay tuned for reviews on Does it Offend You, Yeah? and Pendulum’s latest albums.

Reviewed by: Alex Roland

Tags: a thousand suns tour, australian, Bank Atlantic Center, british, dance rock, does it offend you, drums, electronic, electronic rock, james rushent, linkin park, pendulum, reading, ROCK, Sunrise, yeah?