You Me at Six – The Shelter – 2.27.19

You Me at Six, Dreamers, Machineheart
The Shelter – Detroit, MI – 2.27.19
Photographer: Kailey Howell

You Me at Six are currently on tour across North American in celebration of their most recent album VI.

VI debuted in the fall of 2018, showcasing a more upbeat, pop sound from the band. Appropriately named, this is the band’s sixth studio album following the release of Night People in 2017.

The show was originally booked for Saint Andrews Hall, but was moved downstairs to the Shelter day of show. Normally, this would be disappointing. However, the small venue created a packed atmosphere and allowed for an intimate show.

You Me at Six opened their set with “Fast Forward,” one of the first singles off of the new album. The quick paced instrumentals and demanding vocals were a great way to kickstart the set. Vocalist Josh Franceschi danced along the front of the stage, encouraging the crowd to dance along.

The band was quick to perform their older work, following with “Lived a Lie.” The live renditions of “Reckless” and “Loverboy” off of their their 2011 work Sinners Never Sleep had the crowd singing along to every word.

The venue dimmed the lights and fans lit up the room with their cell phones for an intimate performance of “Take on the World.” Afterwords, “I O U” brought out the most sensual dancing Franceschi gave for the evening.

While “Bite My Tongue” was recorded with Oliver Sykes of Bring Me the Horizon as the screams, it was exciting to hear Franceschi’s powerful harsh vocals take over live.

The band performed a four song encore featuring “Room to Breathe,” “No One Does it Better” and “Straight to My Head.” The oldest song on the setlist was closer “Underdog” off of their 2010 album Hold Me Down. 

Direct support Dreamers opened their set with “SCREWS” off of their 2018 EP LAUNCH. The band’s fun pop sound filled with notes of punk paired nicely with the headliner’s sound. Their set all included their most recent single “Die Happy.”

Machineheart released their debut album People Change this year. Their ambient sound paired with Stevie Scott’s captivating, powerful vocals was a pleasant surprise for an opening act. After “Overgrown” the band performed “Had a Dream” alongside other songs off the album.

You Me at Six

 

 

Dreamers

 

 

Machineheart