On Oct. 13, 2009 AFI and Gallows rocked the Webster Theater in Hartford in support of AFI’s new release Crash Love. Gallows opened the night with a surprisingly impressive set, and singer Frank Carter jumped into the crowd after the first song and played the majority of the set from the pit. The songs they played included “In the Belly of a Shark,” “Leeches,” and “Gold Dust.” Before AFI took the stage, a concertgoer pulled the fire alarm, which prompted many fans to make jokes. After 45 minutes in the cold and rain fans stampeded back inside to wait for AFI’s set. When AFI took the stage it was evident that their fans take AFI’s music very seriously. Nearly every person in the crowd knew all the lyrics to each song in the set.

All four members of the band were energetic, engaged the crowd, and encouraged fan participation. Although singer Davey Havok jumped into the crowd during “The Leaving Song Part II” it was still no comparison to his usual crowd walking when AFI plays “God Called In Sick Today.”

AFI’s set list consisted mainly of songs off their past three albums, but old school fans received two special treats when the band played “Don’t Make Me Ill” from Answer That and Stay Fashionable, their debut album and “On The Arrow,” a bonus track from Decemberunderground.

Despite the slight annoyance of the fire alarm, the show was an amazing experience. AFI certainly didn’t lose any of their ferocity with Crash Love and the Gallows are quite possibly one of the most memorable opening bands I have ever seen.

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