The Devil Wears Prada Plays Lawrence Kansas’s The Granada

November 17, 2024 Robert Chadwick Concert Reviews Comments Off

The Devil Wears Prada at The Granada in Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday, November 16, 2024. [Photo by Reagan Johnson]

REAGAN JOHNSON | Go Venue Magazine

The Devil Wears Prada headlined a sold-out show at The Granada on Saturday, November 16th. The night’s bill was stacked with metalcore madness.

Kansas was referenced as the band’s “other home”, as almost half of their members are from here. Fans were more than ready to give them a warm Kansas welcome. This was one of the biggest queues I’ve seen outside The Granada on Massachusetts Street.

The show started with Greyhaven from Louisville, Kentucky. Their knack for blending atmospheric, almost post-metal moments with explosive bursts of aggression has earned them a solid fan base. They got the crowd-surfing started right away, and the fans were so appreciative of their energy. Greyhaven was a fitting introduction for the rest of the acts to come.

Next on the night’s bill was Columbus, Ohio based Like Moths to Flames. I heard a lot of chatter in the crowd about them before the show even started. People who had seen them before said that everyone was in for a killer live experience. The band’s lead vocalist Chris Roetter effortlessly switched from harsh screams to clean vocals, which added a nice contrast to the brutality of the band’s sound. It’s easy to see why Like Moths to Flames is a powerful force within the scene.

SeeYouSpaceCowboy stormed the stage next, and concertgoers matched their energy from the get-go. Their sound mixed guttural screams and raw yells with a boundary-pushing blend of metalcore, and screamo. SeeYouSpaceCowboy has the ability to balance aural aggression with moments of emotional clarity. They riled up the pit, calling for more moshing. At one point, they declared, “If you aren’t two-stepping, you’re a homophobe!” and got quite a rise out of the crowd. It was fun to watch everyone who was standing still start to squirm. They got the whole place moving. SeeYouSpaceCowboy brings the chaos in the best way.

Azusa, California’s Silent Planet was the last opening act of the night, and fans were so ready to hear them. Frontman Garrett Russell, whose haunting clean vocals often give way to ferocious screams, commanded the stage with a sense of purpose. His delivery was emotional and intense, diving into the themes of mental health, societal issues, and personal struggle. The band quickly won over new fans and connected with old ones through their mix of thought-provoking lyricism, intricate musicianship, and emotionally charged performance. Silent Planet has cultivated a loyal following, and their set was a reminder of why.

After getting geared up with the perfect lineup of the opening acts, the crowd was chomping at the bit to see The Devil Wears Prada in action. This sold-out venue was packed wall to wall with eager fans. The band’s sound has evolved over the years, and their performance at The Granada showcased just how far they’ve come. Opening with “Mammoth”, the band quickly demonstrated the raw intensity that has made them a staple of the metalcore scene. Showcasing two vocalists displays the band’s range and capability in full. Jeremy DePoyster and Mike Hranica share the stage so well, with DePoyster’s soaring cleans acting as a stark contrast to Hranica’s raw intensity. The diversity of their sound, shifting between crushing breakdowns and more atmospheric moments, kept fans engaged and the crowd surfers coming. One of the most impressive aspects of the evening was the palpable connection between the band and the fans. The Devil Wears Prada has a hardcore fan base, and it was beautiful to see them engaged and pouring their hearts out together to their favorite tracks the whole night. The performance was a perfect introduction to one of metalcore’s most enduring and dynamic bands. The Devil Wears Prada is a clear favorite, and a must-see for lovers of metal.