Circa Survive are one of those bands that I loved in high school. I had a copy of Juturna and played it constantly in my car while driving around. Since I had never seen them, of course I jumped at the chance. 
Although I was a little late arriving to the Beaumont (right before Dredg took the stage), I wish I could have caught Animals as Leaders. I’ve heard great things about those guys and plan on catching them the next time.
Not much of an avid listener to Dredg, I was both a little weirded out and impressed. They’ve got some strange fillers and samples but overall, put on a good show that I enjoyed from the back while crowd watching. There was such a wide variety of people in attendance for this; from the newer Circa fans, i.e. suburban scenesters to the long-time Circa fans.
Circa Survive finally takes the stage and starts out strong with “Strange Terrain” off their newest release, Blue Sky Noise. In fact, their first three songs were off this album. Oh, reverting back to the start of their set, they had confetti guns which shot out in the middle of “Strange Terrain.”
I overheard a couple talking about how the last time they saw Circa, vocalist Anthony Green, was absolutely ridiculous with energy; hanging from the rafters and all. He definitely didn’t let up on energy this time around either. However, he wasn’t the one in the rafters – there was a guy filming the entire set from up there. Even his button-up proved his energy, it was soaked by the fifth song.
Almost halfway through the set – MORE CONFETTI! Oh, and so many strobes!
They calmed things down a bit with an acoustic version of “Spirit of the Stairwell,” dedicating it to his son.
One thing that stuck out about this show is the crowd and the way they received it. They are so completely into it, almost in a worshipping manner. Green stood on the barricades, practically standing on top of the crowd, using them to balance. During this, people were pulling on his shirt and arms, just trying to touch him as he had them sing the song back to him. Now, I’m all for crowd involvement but during every single song it is slightly excessive, except for the obvious gang vocals or well-known spot. It seems as though it takes away from the moment of the song. 
Something really great about Circa Survive is that they encouraged everyone to buy merch from the other bands. You don’t see that enough anymore.
More confetti during “Imaginary Enemy.” There’s a pattern here. TUH-DUH – huge see-through balloons with confetti and glowsticks! IT’S A BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Best part of the show was when the bassist, Nick Bear, ninja kicked one of the balloons off stage. Those rather entertaining balloons popped just as quickly as they were. Only one left and Green encourages the crowd to hit him in the face, whoever can – gets a free t-shirt!
Fourteen songs, tons of confetti, a lot of sweat and one almost-satisfied crowd later: before exiting the stage, Green tells everyone that this show was the best show they’ve played here in Kansas City. I completely believe it.
Wait just one second, the lights are still off. Know what this means? ENCORE.
Started out with an extremely long, slightly unrecognizable intro to “Dyed in the Wool.”
Second song of encore: “I Felt Free.”
Voila! MORE BALLOONS AND CONFETTI! A birthday party, a six-year-old’s birthday party!
And scene. Gone for good this time.
I haven’t felt the urge to stage-dive in years and this show made me want to. That, to me, is a good fucking show.
It seemed a little bass heavy at times, but isn’t that what makes a show like this? Where everyone in the building can physically feel the beat in their body.
You know those bands that are all performance, but absolutely suck live? Then there’s the other bands that are great, but don’t have any stage presence. Circa Survive is a blend of the two, I highly suggest you see them if the chance ever comes up.
Set List:
Strange Terrain
Get Out
Glass Arrows
Mandala
In The Morning And Amazing…
Holding Someone’s Hair Back
Frozen Creek
In Fear And Faith
The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is in the Dose
Spirit of the Stairwell
Imaginary Enemy
Through the Desert Alone
Invalid Litter Dept. (At The Drive-In Cover)
Stop the Fucking Car
//
Dyed in The Wool
I Felt Free
