Content Guide
Back with their first studio album in 9 years, “~mAntras~”, Alien Ant Farm originally embarked on their European Tour as co-headliners with fellow early 2000s contemporaries CKY. However, CKY were unceremoniously dumped from the tour after frontman Chad Ginsburg punched Alien Ant Farm’s Dryden Mitchell in the face.
Despite the University of Hull’s Asylum the last stop on a lengthy tour, there were no signs of fatigue from the California nu-metal veterans.
Early 2000s Heyday
There were plenty in the crowd rocking merchandise of the latest eras of Alien Ant Farm’s long career, but the majority were particularly there to re-live their early 2000s heyday. They were promptly treated to ‘Courage’, ‘Wish’ and ‘Flesh and Bone’ to open up the set – all from 2001’s Anthology.
Next came ‘The Wrong Things’ from their new album. Never a band to rest on their laurels, you can tell they’ve made a conscious effort to evolve on the sound that brought them to alt-rock fame, but without losing the ability to write a catchy melody.
Movies
However, the first real crowd pleaser came next with ‘Movies’. With the chorus being belted throughout the nightclub, everyone present momentarily felt around 20 years younger.
In another throwback to headier days, before launching into the chugging ‘These Days’, they reminded the audience of another famous music video of theirs. This time it featured the band in a Beatles-esque rooftop performance across from the 2003 BET Awards with the likes of Pharrell, Nelly and Snoop Dogg present.
Last dAntz
Back into the modern era, the synth infused ‘Last dAntz’ was a fitting lead single for their new album, and proved popular even with those less familiar with the band’s latest release.
Aside from the expertise of each member of the band itself, an honourable mention goes to their backing vocalist who also performed as percussionist for some songs and acted as guitar tech too.
The band continued to mix new with old, with ‘Attitude’ and ‘Stranded’ from ‘ANThology’ followed up with ‘What Am I Doing’ and ‘Storms Over’ from their new album.
After some more classic nu-metal riffs on ‘Sticks and Stones’ followed by the noodling guitars of ‘Goodbye’, the band briefly left the stage – but the crowd knew there was more to come, surely.
The previously neglected 2006 album ‘Up In The Attic’ was given some love with ‘What I Feel Is Mine’ after the band had returned.
Smooth Criminal
And finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for. The unmistakeable riff of ‘Smooth Criminal’ brought a new energy to the room, and the crowd in Hull joined Dryden of Alien Ant Farm for the last sing along moment of the night.
The early 2000s era of nu-metal and alternative rock has been and gone, but to their credit, Alien Ant Farm are still standing. While they are mostly still associated with ‘Smooth Criminal’ and ‘Movies’, they wear this as a badge of pride as one of the tiny percentage of bands who’ve actually achieved international success.
Alien Ant Farm Continue To Innovate
But at the same time, they continue to push the boundaries of their own sound. Plenty who arrived at Asylum to hear the songs they know will no doubt be taking a deeper dive into the band’s back catalogue now.
- Alien Ant Farm, Asylum Hull – Gig Review - December 5, 2024
- Jake Bugg, O2 Academy Leeds – Gig Review - November 22, 2024
- Beth McCarthy at Live at Leeds 2024 – Festival Review - June 5, 2024