The pandemonium began even before Taking Back Sunday took the stage, as hundreds of concertgoers overwhelmed security and jumped the barricades, leading to what had to be the biggest mosh pit in Nassau Coliseum history.
Though the band members had plenty to celebrate Friday night - their album "Louder Now" (Warner Bros.) being certified gold, the launch of their first national tour as arena headliners, the addition of their single "MakeDamnSure" into MTV's power rotation - it became clear early on, they, along with their screaming faithful, were celebrating something else.
In five short years, the band has gone from playing the back rooms of Middle Eastern restaurants and converted banquet halls across Long Island to headlining Nassau Coliseum, the biggest venue in their backyards.
Singer Adam Lazzara got choked up during the first encore, the acoustic ballad "Divine Intervention," because when he left room for the crowd, which had been singing along with the band all night, to finish the choruses, they wouldn't sing. Instead, they wanted to scream in appreciation.
When he figured out what they were doing, he stopped momentarily. "I used to deliver deli food not too far from here," Lazzara said, looking a little fazed. "This is pretty crazy."
As far-fetched as their success may have seemed in the days when they were practicing in drummer Mark O'Connell's parents' basement in Rockville Centre, Taking Back Sunday proved Friday that they were ready to be arena headliners, with a commanding 75-minute set that mixed their early emo standards with straightforward rockers that are bigger and, yes, louder now.
Whether it is bassist Matt Rubano leaping across the stage or Lazzara's now-famous mic swinging, the entire band exuded a stage presence that demanded attention.
The hard-rocking "Spin," which lets singer/guitarist Fred Mascherino and guitarist Eddie Reyes shine, and the gorgeous "My Blue Heaven" show the band's new direction, an ambitious update on '90s indie rock mixed with the poignant, personal details that mark the best of emo.
In most places, their hits "MakeDamnSure" and "A Decade Under the Influence" likely would play best. However, on Long Island, it's the songs from their debut "Tell All Your Friends" (Victory) that drove the crowd into a frenzy.
"You're So Last Summer" and "Cute Without the 'E'" are destined for the Long Island Songbook of future generations next to "Piano Man" and "New York State of Mind" - as are the "I saw them when" stories.
The opening acts' strength will only add to the memory of the show. Tom DeLonge's Angels and Airwaves gave a strong hour-long set of songs from "We Don't Need to Whisper" (Geffen), which takes stadium-ready anthems from "Joshua Tree"-era U2 and adds emo elements. The epic "Valkyrie Missile" and "Distraction" will be hard to forget, as will the short but potent set from British up-and-comers The Subways.
Head Automatica also got to celebrate a homecoming show, as singer Daryl Palumbo gave a shout-out to his hometown of Bellmore, during the band's powerful set. Though the Elvis Costello poppiness of "Graduation Day" got the most attention, Head Automatica put dramatic tension into its set that recalls Palumbo's other band, Glassjaw.
The entire four-hour-plus extravaganza added up to an evening that will be remembered as a triumph not just for Taking Back Sunday, but the entire Long Island music scene.
TAKING BACK SUNDAY. The Rockville Centre-based band recalls its roots as its staggering growth continues. With Angels and Airwaves, Head Automatica, The Subways. At Nassau Coliseum on Friday.
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