Political punk act Rise to the occasion

Polar Bear Club were first to take to the stage. Most of the audience couldn’t recite any of their songs by heart but they tried their hardest, picking up on the catchier verses and bellowing them back.

However, Tom Morello 'The Nightwatchman', guitarist for Rage Against The Machine, was never going to be usurped as star of the show. From teaching the audience the chorus of a song and commanding them to sing along, to forcing everyone in the seats to stand and jump – despite the signs instructing otherwise – 'The Nightwatchman' really had the crowd on his side.

The music may not have been particularly impressive, though the way he conducted himself on stage was second to none. For his grand finale, he called upon the lead singer of Rise Against, Tim McIlrath, to join him on stage and accompany him, culminating in a crowd bordering on the fanatic.

Finally, after two amazing acts, the four men we came to see paraded onto the stage. There was no hesitation as Rise Against erupted into their opening song ‘Re-education (Through Labour)’ and the audience exploded.

Thousands leaped into the air as one with cheers and whoops following each song, the band not pausing except to cool themselves down or to shower the audience with compliments.

Being one of the most politically minded bands in punk at the moment, Rise Against's songs reflect their opinions on modern day society. From ‘Make It Stop (September’s Children)’ – a chilling take on homosexuality and the September suicides – to ‘Satellite’, illustrating the illusory nature of the American Dream, the majority of their songs drip hidden meanings.

They are not ashamed to verbalise their opinions and this gig was no different, the audience enthralled from the first note. Everyone was behind them, from the fanatics at the front reaching for Tim McIlrath’s hand, the people bouncing off one another in the mosh pits, to the people riding atop the crowd towards the stage.

From the driving pulses and melodic vocals of ‘Savior’ to the calming acoustic ‘Swing Life Away’, the band delved into their repertoire to play every song the audience wanted to hear and the crowd continued to jump, irrespective of fatigue.

Rise Against’s powerful lyrics and throbbing guitar lines kept the crowd satisfied and the crowd responded with pure unadulterated ecstasy, cheering and leaping in unison.