Three Days Grace at The Forum

By the time the lights went down and Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name started to play over the PA, it became pretty clear that this would be a mosh pit kind of night.

When Three Days Grace strode on stage, The Forum was ready to explode. It had been a year since the band had played at the Electric Ballroom in London and the fans obviously craved some good old Canadian hard rock.

Over the past decade, the band has developed a loyal following that, although confused by founding member Adam Gontier’s departure, embraced the previous My Darkest Days leader as the new face of the band. Matt Walst was virtually already part of the group – being Brad Walst’s brother and having helped write the debut album – and he managed to make the replacement a seamless one, proving himself to be the right choice to pick up the mic.

And The Forum loved him. With the mildly techno-flavoured opener I Am Machine, he electrified the crowd. The band didn’t fail to make us rethink our whole life during the song: “We think too much, we do too little.” Following with their set staple Just Like You, these profound musings were soon forgotten as the energy in the room picked up.

With a setlist comprised of newer material and the prerequisite hits, the audience members got what they came for and showed their gratitude. Following the hard-driving Pain, the whole venue vibrated as Matt Walst encouraged everyone to jump during Break.

From bassist Brad Walst’s strong musical and tongue-showing skills, to guitarist Barry Stock looking like he’d fit quite well into a black metal act, to drummer Neil Sanderson showing off in a fantastic drum solo, the whole band put on a great performance. Nevertheless, it was the newest addition to the group who stole the show. Dressed all in black, the singer’s contagious energy won over the fans, who kept enthusiastically chanting “Three Days Grace”.

The charismatic leader never missed an opportunity to fist bump, mug for the crowd or incite a mosh pit. His vocals were easy to hear and sing along to, although it’s worth questioning whether fans are still listening to the hard rock lyrics, since the concert was not to an angry audience, but one full of love for TDG.

With encores High Road and the much-expected Riot, the band smashed The Forum one last time before the audience’s assortment of pink, blue and green haircuts exited the venue. It seems that hard rock is not dead.

Margot Noel
Photos: Catherine Starkey

For further information about Three Days of Grace and future events visit here.

Watch our interview with Brad Walst here.