GWAR – First Avenue – Minneapolis MN – August 28th 2023

By Kyle Hansen 1 year ago

GWAR live at First Avenue in Minneapolis Minnesota on August 28th 2023 with special guests Crobot

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Crobot Concert Review – First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN (Opening for GWAR)

On a night that promised high-energy rock ‘n’ roll and theatrical chaos, Crobot kicked off the evening at First Avenue in Minneapolis as the opening act for the legendary GWAR. Known for their groove-heavy, hard-rocking style, Crobot delivered an electrifying set that set the stage perfectly for the madness to come. Here’s a breakdown of what went down during their performance:

The Venue: First Avenue’s Legendary Energy

First Avenue, a staple in Minneapolis’ live music scene, was the ideal venue for an evening of headbanging and rock chaos. The historic venue, with its dark, moody vibe and great acoustics, created an immersive atmosphere. Whether you were standing in the main floor crowd or perched on the balcony, the energy was palpable, and the space was packed with eager fans ready to rock.

For an opening band like Crobot, the venue’s layout allowed their hard-hitting sound to really fill the room. The space was large enough to make the performance feel like a major event, but intimate enough that every audience member could feel part of the experience.

Crobot’s Sound: High-Octane Rock with a Groove

Crobot is a band that brings heavy riffs, thick grooves, and a bit of swagger, making them the perfect fit for a night of wild rock ‘n’ roll. From the get-go, they laid down a potent mix of hard rock, stoner rock, and bluesy grooves that had the crowd nodding their heads and tapping their feet. Their sound is a perfect balance of weighty guitar riffs and infectious rhythms, and they never let up on the throttle for a second.

Brandon Yeagley, the charismatic frontman, took center stage with his unmistakable, powerful vocals. His voice—a blend of gritty soul and high-octane rock energy—was one of the driving forces of their set. Yeagley’s energy was matched by the rest of the band, including Chris Bishop on guitar, who delivered scorching solos with technical precision, and Jake Figueroa on bass, whose steady groove laid down the foundation for the rhythm-heavy rockers. Drummer Paul Figueroa kept the beat relentless, his percussion keeping everything tight as the music stormed forward.

Setlist: From Hard Rock Bangers to Groove-Heavy Jams

Crobot’s set was a dynamic blend of their best-known songs and a few newer tracks, showcasing their versatility. They wasted no time getting the crowd into it with some of their high-energy hits, launching into their set with undeniable swagger.

  • “Keep Me Down” – The opener was a perfect introduction to the band’s sound: heavy, sludgy riffs with a groove that made it impossible not to move. The crowd immediately felt the energy and was all in from the first note. It set the tone for what would be a hard-hitting set.
  • “Chupacabra” – One of their signature songs, “Chupacabra”, brought that punchy riff that defines Crobot’s unique sound. The track had the crowd roaring with its mix of stoner rock heaviness and infectious hooks. It’s one of those tracks that sounds massive live, and the band made sure it hit like a freight train.
  • “Low Life” – This song saw the band cranking up the swagger with a bluesy edge, showing that they can shift from groove-heavy rock to a more soulful, hard-rock feel without skipping a beat.
  • “Night of the Sacrifice” – A newer track, this one really gave the crowd a taste of the band’s growth and their heavier side. It had a brooding, almost ominous tone, paired with killer guitar riffs and a rhythm section that made the whole place shake.
  • “The Necromancer” – Another standout, the song’s deep groove and relentless energy made it a crowd favorite. It’s one of those songs that’s perfect for a live show, with the crowd feeding off the raw power of the performance.

Crobot did an excellent job of balancing their setlist between crowd favorites and newer material, making sure to get everyone involved. From fast, head-banging rockers to more slow-burning, heavy jams, they demonstrated their ability to keep the crowd engaged at every turn. Their sound is raw and unfiltered, with a lot of personality, and it really shone through live.

Frontman Brandon Yeagley: Commanding the Stage

Yeagley’s presence is magnetic. Not only does he have a powerful voice, but his stage presence is off the charts. He owned every inch of the stage, pacing, jumping, and getting the crowd hyped with every interaction. Whether he was leaning into the crowd with his signature swagger or showing off his vocal range with soulful highs, he kept everyone in the palm of his hand.

At one point during “The Necromancer”, Yeagley had the crowd singing along with him, building a sense of camaraderie between the band and the fans. He’s one of those frontmen who makes sure the crowd is just as much a part of the show as the band is, which is a key part of what makes Crobot’s live performance so special.

The Band’s Overall Chemistry: Tight and Unrelenting

The entire band has a natural chemistry that makes their live show so tight and engaging. Chris Bishop’s guitar work was fiery, with solos that felt like they were designed to melt faces. His interaction with Yeagley on stage was electric, and they complemented each other perfectly. The rhythm section, consisting of Jake Figueroa on bass and Paul Figueroa on drums, was equally locked in, creating a groove that laid the perfect foundation for the heavy riffs and infectious melodies. There was no weak link in this chain; every member played off each other, giving the audience a performance that felt incredibly dynamic and full of life.

Audience Engagement: Getting the Crowd Involved

Even though Crobot was the opening act, they never treated it like just a warm-up show. They were fully aware of the energy that GWAR was about to bring, but they weren’t about to let the crowd slack off. Yeagley kept the crowd engaged throughout the set, encouraging headbanging and crowd participation. By the end of their time on stage, Crobot had successfully gotten the audience worked up and primed for the madness that was about to unfold with GWAR.

Encore: Leaving on a High

Though they didn’t perform a formal encore (as they were the opening act), the crowd’s excitement at the end of their set made it clear they could have easily come back for more. They ended their show with a bang, and the crowd was left hyped and ready for the next part of the night. Their performance was like a perfect appetizer to the chaos and theatricality that was about to ensue with GWAR.

Final Thoughts: Crobot Sets the Bar High

Crobot absolutely crushed their performance at First Avenue. They may have been the opening act, but they owned that stage and gave the audience an unforgettable taste of their high-energy rock. From their groove-heavy riffs to their engaging frontman, the band showed why they’re quickly becoming one of the most exciting acts in modern hard rock.

Their performance was a perfect balance of heavy, catchy rock and stage presence, and they left the crowd buzzing in anticipation of the chaos that was coming with GWAR. If you ever have the chance to see Crobot live, don’t miss it. They’re the kind of band that makes you a fan after just one show.

GWAR is notorious for their over-the-top theatrical shows, blending heavy metal, gore, humor, and shock value in a way that few bands can replicate. The band’s performance is like a chaotic, theatrical spectacle with costumes, props, and a storyline that includes ridiculous alien-like creatures battling each other, spraying the crowd with fake blood and fluids, and generally creating a raucous, out-of-this-world experience.

The Show:

Expect the stage to be covered in fake blood and slime by the end. The band members wear elaborate costumes—think of larger-than-life, grotesque characters, with heavy armor, monstrous faces, and weapons—so the whole thing feels more like a live-action comic book. The music itself is high-energy, thrashy, and unapologetically heavy.

The Crowd:

GWAR shows tend to attract a very dedicated fanbase. There’s a lot of moshing and chaos in the pit, but it’s all part of the fun. You’ll probably see fans getting into the spirit of things by wearing white shirts to get drenched in the “blood,” or wearing their own outrageous costumes. If you were standing close to the front, you might have had to brace yourself for some of that stage spray (though, it’s part of the fun if you’re into that type of crazy experience).

The Set:

GWAR’s setlist likely mixed songs from their entire catalog, from classic tracks like “Sick of You” and “Bring Back the Bomb” to more recent hits. The energy would be insane from start to finish, with frontman Blothar the Berserker probably leading the charge in a characteristically theatrical fashion.

Overall Experience:

A GWAR show is not your typical concert—it’s more of an immersive experience where the music, the visuals, and the absurd humor come together to create something that’s almost like a cross between a metal concert and a bizarre, over-the-top stage play. Expect to leave the show covered in “blood” and grinning like you just survived an apocalypse.