Concert Review: Knocked Loose at KEMBA! Live in Columbus

Review & photos by Jack Foley

Knocked Loose

Knocked Loose has taken hardcore to the forefront of alternative culture over the past few years. The group formed near Louisville, Kentucky in the early 2010s, frequenting DIY venues and punk houses alike. Knocked Loose played their largest headlining show to date in Columbus, OH at KEMBA Live! to an audience of thousands of people spanning all age demographics. They were accompanied by LA bands Militarie Gun and DRAIN and art punk band The Garden, fronted by Fletcher and Wyatt Shears. 

Militarie Gun

Militarie Gun provided an impeccable start to the show. Their sound is reminiscent of mid-2000s emo and pop punk but with a melodic hardcore flair–an edge that separates them from the rest of bands in either sphere. The California-based group has the potential to become a major force in the punk scene, and I highly recommend anyone with an interest in punk of any flavor to take a listen, and certainly catch them in your area.

DRAIN

As the sun began to set, California hardcore outfit DRAIN took the stage by storm and gave one of the most chaotic performances I have ever seen. Their crowd control was impeccable, with frontman Sammy Ciaramitaro facilitating one of the largest crowdsurfing incidents I have ever witnessed, demanding there be “fifty fucking crowdsurfers right now.” From thrashing on stage to diving into the audience, their enthusiasm never let up. Highlights of their set include “California Cursed,” “Feel the Pressure” and an amazing cover of The Descendents’ “Good Good Things.” 

The Garden

The Garden is known for their unorthodox music which falls somewhere between art rock and punk, the twin-brother duo opts to categorize their sound as “vadavada,” which transcends genre and is composed of raw expression without the confining boundaries of labels. The Garden manages to fill the venue’s atmosphere with only bass and drums, though you could close your eyes and imagine a six-piece band on stage. They played several of their popular songs such as “Call This # Now,” and “This Could Build Us A Home.” The Garden puts on an amazing show, and though they may not be a hardcore punk band, their approach to art resonates with the anti-establishment sentiment of punk.

Knocked Loose managed to translate DIY hardcore punk to a large stage at their biggest headlining show in the band's history. Right off the bat, the entire audience from the back of the lawn to the barricade was involved in the controlled chaos of hardcore punk. As moshpits blend and morph into each other and a seemingly neverending stream of crowd surfers pass above, you feel that same sense of community as if you were in a DIY space. The Columbus hardcore scene is known for being an inclusive environment, and I was thrilled to see that same energy was present this evening. The group performed a balanced mix of material from all of their full-length releases and debuted a handful of songs from their latest album that have never been performed live. The 18-song set was incredible from start to finish, packed with energy and emotion, and is one you will not want to miss.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW HERE!