Wednesday morning, and it’s time for another edition of Stage Dive! This week, we’re going to get into what should be a topic very near-and-dear to all of your hearts. This week, let’s discuss…

WHAT’S THE ROWDIEST CONCERT YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO?

As a metal fan–not to mention a fan of heavy music in general–it should go without saying that I’ve been to my fair share of wild gigs. Carcass’s headlining performance at Maryland Deathfest in 2013–when the crowd was so merciless as to physically force down some of the side barriers at the old Sonar compound–comes to mind. But still, nothing compares to my favorite rowdy concert in recent memory–Kvelertak‘s headlining set at the Studio at Webster Hall in May 2013.

Normally, when you think of rowdy concerts, you think of audience members as the primary perpetrators of said rowdiness. But in this case, it was more down to the band members themselves than the (to be fair, pretty romping) crowd. Want a taste? Check out this gig photo from Invisible Oranges:

Now I won’t take anything away from opening acts Black Tusk and Cancer Bats (okay, maybe I will from Cancer Bats; they kinda sucked as I recall), but it really was all about Kvelertak here. For those who don’t know, Kvelertak is a six-piece band–with three guitars, a bassist, drums, and a vocalist. And the Studio is not what you’d call a huge stage–even less so when it’s packed with amps, drums and other gear. So the guys had to get creative with the space. Singer Erlend Hjelvik jumped into the crowd, mic in hand, on more than one occasion. Bassist Marvin Nygaard took it a step further, at one point climbing into the crowd and beginning to play whilst hanging from the pipes lining the ceiling. And then, there was guitarist Vidar Landa, who did…well, this:

That would be the Studio’s bar, where Landa–following Nygaard’s lead–climbed to, atop audience members shoulders, before proceeding to sit down, drink a beer, and take a guitar solo.

Mind. Blown.

The show was an instant classic (if you don’t believe me, check the rest of that Invisible Oranges album), and ended up as one of the maybe five best shows I’ve ever been to. I’m not sure I see it losing its spot any time soon. Kvelertak immediately became one of those bands that I will see any and every chance I get, whether they’re opening or headlining. They should be for you as well.

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What do you think? Make sure to post your choices in the comments!

-Dan

Live. Love. Plow. Horns Up.