Putting a tour together that includes three opening acts is a daunting challenge, but one All Time Low has risen to. When the popular Pop Punk band brought its tour to Cincinnati's Bogart's on April 30, all four bands on the bill definitely had their supporters, but the fans seemed to enjoy each of the other acts, as well. Of course everyone was amped to see All Time Low. The group's much anticipated major label debut Dirty Work was pushed back until June, which meant "The Dirty Work Tour" was a rallying call for ATL fans to get pumped for the forthcoming release so they'll save up their allowance money for the big launch date. —-
The Summer Set kicked off the proceedings promptly at the announced 7 p.m. start time and did an energetic set to a surprisingly enthusiastic crowd. The young people were there to rock, The Summer Set saluted. Someone at Rock Star School must have told lead singer Brain Dales, “Say the name of the city you’re playing as many times as you can,” which is exactly what he did. The band did its job, though, and Hey Monday kept the crowd engaged, rollicking through their 25 minutes without incident. They slowed down only to play their rediscovered single from a few years back, “Candles.”
Though the headliners had the most fans in attendance, the most loyal ones belonged to Yellowcard, which tossed out nine songs, including two fine new ones from their forthcoming album, ending the set with its calling-card “Ocean Avenue.” During “Hang You Up,” violinist Sean Mackin was served birthday drinks by ATL bassist Zack Merrick, who strummed and sang along on the number.
The three warm-up bands perfectly set the table for All Time Low, which played a thunderous set full of between song antics and assorted hijinx. At one point lead singer Alex Gaskarth thought it would be amusing to reenact the opening of the TV show Baywatch. It took the band's board op a few minutes to download the show's theme music to his iPhone, but Gaskrath and guitarist Jack Barakat were eventually running in slow-motion across the stage in full David Hasselhoff- form. Hey Monday’s Cassadee Pope joined ATL for “Remembering Sunday” and during the encore's “Weightless,” the group was joined by Yellowcard guitarist Ryan Mendez.
It was a long but satisfying evening, to be sure. The bromantic camaraderie was evident the entire night in all the playful cross-pollination going on. Like a miniature Warped Tour, ATL showed the best way to manage a tour with the same four bands on the trek the entire time — make sure you like the people in the bands you choose to travel with.
