Punters were thankful that Sunday night had not been as warm as the previous week as Rise Against and Australian up and comers Death in the Family ensured that the Hi-Fi was in no way going to be a cool, easy going night.

Playing to a completely filled venue, A Death in the Family showed to punters that they may have a bright future in our music scene, playing a 45 minute set that improved the longer they played. Armed with powerful guitar riffs and screeching vocals, single Shackle easily displayed their obvious talent, as well as revealing similarities to Rise Against themselves.

It was appropriate for Rise Against to play at the Hi-Fi Bar. Front man Tim McIlrath enticed the crowd by not only revealing that the Hi-Fi was the first venue for the band to ever play in Melbourne, but that this was the smallest show that the band had played in over a year. This made this gig even more special, with band and the crowd releasing countless amounts of energy to favorites Collapse and Paper Wings.

This energy that the crowd showed was the highlight of the gig. Not only was the mosh pit (which later became a circlepit), complete anarchy, the majority of punters from the standing room at the back of the venue, to the upstairs bar, were seen headbanging, toetapping and singing their lungs out.

McIlrath created a fitting moment by taking some time to talk about the recently closed Tote. Pointing out that this was probably the place where many of us experienced our first band, first kiss and first drink, he understood how special the Tote was to many of us, something that led to an ovation from the entire room.

Softer numbers Swing Life away and Hero Of War became obvious sing-a-longs, complete with lighters and mobile phones waving in the air. This moment appropriately preceded McIlrath’s speech about what the gig was about. “It’s more than a show…It’s more a sharing of ideas.” This definitely was the case, with everyone won over, and many changed solely by the power of music.

After packing away the acoustic guitar, the band returned one last time for closer Ready to Fall. Anyone who has experienced Rise Against live is well aware of the power and force that is created once this song begins. With the crowd and the band well aware that this was going to be the final song of the night, everyone ensured that they had used up everything they had, as it was likely going to be a while before they graced our shores again.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG