Coheed and Cambria Sweeps New Orleans

Claudio Sanchez is the frontman of the four-piece, who wrote the science fictions The Amory Wars upon which most of the band's albums are based upon. The Color Before the Sun was the first of their 8 studio albums to be released while being non-conceptual upon Claudio’s series. The music video of the first single, “You Got Spirit, Kid”, did reference the Amory Wars in the music video. This new album took a very pop-punk turn compared to the heavier past albums.

A progressive rock band whose moniker is practically a household name within the genre.

written and photographed by Rebecca Reece

​Currently touring to promote the album, Coheed and Cambria have been sweeping the nation with their live shows again. The band passed through New Orleans on September 28 and we got to first-hand experience what people have been buzzing about for ages.

Most bands come out with a heavy bang, right? Some crazy lights and screaming crowd? Entire crowd screaming lyrics?

Nope. Not Coheed and Cambria. 

The band made a dramatic entry with the opening being their song, “Ghost.” The crowd was patient and wrenched while singing along to the emotional roller coaster lyrics, “Uncertainty now keeps me asking how I lead the most, as they became or will I teach the examples of their ghosts.”

Then it went hard.
Lights.
Jumping.
​Insane energy.
​

Moving through the show, they played a variety of old and new. “The Crowning” popped in as the tenth song of the night. The show ‘closed’ with Peace to the Mountain.

It was no secret that there would be an encore. Not it just being tradition to continue on but they hadn’t played their number one song yet. The fans who didn’t know the tradition of an encore were heart wrenched and looking to leave before the band made their reappearance to “You Got Spirit, Kid.”

The third and final song of the encore (and of the evening) was perhaps the biggest Coheed song by far- “Welcome Home.” The crazy guitar solo of course was necessary but the fans are the ones that really made this once special.

Admittedly, I entered this show only partially familiar with the music. But I left as a fan. I believe that anyone willing to open their ears to something new would love this band, and if not then you would at least love the beauty, the intimacy, and the energy of their live shows.

Coheed and Cambria just wrapped up their tour but you visit their website to subscribe to their notification list, or like them on Facebook to stay updated on upcoming events!