L-R Paramore and Copeland.
RIOT! Hello Paramore, Hayley Williams is back and sweeping the world with her magnetic presence once again! On Monday, May 11, Williams and her crew set the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall Stage in Baltimore, Maryland on fire including several of their slamming latest hits, “Still Into You,” and “Ain’t it Fun,” from their most recent self-titled album, Paramore.
Opening for the hit alternative pop-rock band was Copeland, an American Indie Rock band who first met the group 11 years ago, after hearing Hayley sing at a local dive bar in Nashville. At the tender age of 15, Hayley decided to team up with Copeland continuing to tour the nation and they are kicking it live and fiercely today. With a smooth, symphonic rock blend, Copeland consists of the following band members, Aaron Marsh on lead vocals, guitar bass and piano, Bryan Laurenson on lead guitar, Stephen Laurenson on rhythm guitar, and Jonathan Bucklew on drums and percussion. With their latest songs off of their album, Ixora, including, “Lavender,” “World Turn,” and “I Can Make You Feel Young Again,” the distinctive band returns to the tour scene after a six-year hiatus.
It is incredible to witness how this prodigal artist has grown over the years, both as a performer and individual, blossoming into an explosive firecracker, lighting up any stage she sets her spirit on.
Ready…aim…FIRE! With her hot red-orange haired look, Williams sets off and sustains a turbo-powered, high-octane fueled, energizer bunny-like energy she owns throughout the entire night filling the complete auditorium with radiant jam-packed beams of light force. With musical influences including New Found Glory, Jimmy Eat World, U-2, and Blink 182, the band has most certainly claimed their mark in the world, touring alongside major artists including Green Day, No Doubt, and their musical influence, Jimmy Eat World.
Opening the evening with crowd-pleasing, “Daydreaming,” from the self-titled album, Williams’ charismatic and magnetic personality lured the entire audience with a simple, “Let’s be family tonight!” With Jeremy Davis on guitar, and Taylor York as guitarist and percussionist, Hayley introduced her friends and fellow band-mates claiming to join the band at a prodigal age of 13. This extremely humble, down-to-earth spitfire soul, well beyond her years of wisdom quotes York with, “The more music that you love, the happier you will be.” And that’s just the way they like it, having previously covered songs such as “Beautiful,” by Christina Aguilera, a la “super emo style,” according to alternative rock power princess. Moving into the night with a gorgeous, melodic “Misguided Ghosts,” from the album, Brand New Eyes, the group set off a more intimate vibe seated in 3 chairs center stage. Transitioning into a “song about love and its journey we take,” Williams sang “The Only Exception,” from the same album. Throughout the journey of the song, she lead the crowd into a melodic sing-along with a warm and sweet “kum-bah-yah,” like vibe.
Originally from Nashville, the eclectic group sang of their hometown, “Franklin,” from their album, All We Know is Falling. Williams belted a passionate longing for her hometown and what it once was before she made a name for herself in the music industry. “Wherever you’re at in life, keep moving. Wherever you strive in your journey, it’s bound to be cooler,” she shared with the audience segueing into another popular crowd-energizing, “Still Into You,” from the current, self-titled album.
It is an absolute magical wonder the powerhouse princess could rip out a crystal clear sustained belt throughout the entire course of the concert especially when she hit it home with one of her first hits that gave birth to the group’s popularity, “Misery Business,” from the album, Riot! While paying her respects and appreciation to her fans, Williams invited an authentic fan, (who has seen 46 Paramore shows) to come up and finish the song with her and the entire band. And of course, the group ended the night with “Aint it Fun,” lead by a soulful pop-gospel brass and sass Williams, wailing for the fight of her life. It is incredible to witness how this prodigal artist has grown over the years, both as a performer and individual, blossoming into an explosive firecracker, lighting up any stage she sets her spirit on.
Running Time: Approximately 3 hours with a 25-minute intermission.
Paramore with Copeland was a one night only event on May 11th 2015 at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore MD.
For tickets to all upcoming events at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, click here.
