The Amity Affliction at The Loving Touch

Photos and review: Austin Fitzroy

It was bitter cold outside on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022, at The Loving Touch in Ferndale, MI. We were lined up where die-hard fans had been waiting since noon to see The Amity Affliction, The Seafloor Cinema, and Archetypes Collide. The show was originally booked at The Shelter in Detroit, Michigan, but was moved to The Loving Touch due to repairs. This intimate venue sold out within a few hours of tickets being on sale, and for a good reason.

The Seafloor Cinema, self described as "turbo-emo" from Sacramento, California, was first to take the stage. "This is my first time being in this city and you're all already so beautiful-" drummer Timothy Aldama echoed this notion throughout the set. The banter between the band and crowd was omnipresent the entire set. Hyping up the crowd as per-usual of an opener, Aldama asked the crowd "can I get a huhh-yeah?!" And the crowd responded with a respectable "huhh-yeah!" The set was loud and fast, with an angsty and floaty vibe. The Seafloor Cinema is definitely a band to keep an eye on.

Archetypes Collide from Phoenix, Arizona was next, delivering a forceful and heavy hitting noise to The Loving Touch. "It's not about anything outside, it's about what's right here, inside" said vocalist Kyle Pastor, as he pointed to his heart. The crowd was responsive and sang along to every song. Towards the end of their set the band played a riff that made the crowd go nuts, jumping into a cover of "One Step Closer" by Linkin Park. Upbeat and roaring, Archetypes Collide drove home a refreshing new sound for all lovers of punk.

Finally, The Amity Affliction from Queensland, Australia, took the stage. "You guys are being Cool. As. Fuck tonight!" Said vocalist Joel Birch. With a long and captivating set, The Amity Affliction kept it up playing songs from their new album, plus old classics. They didn't stop as they delivered ethereal, melodic and emotional metal to the crowd. Songs included “I Bring The Weather With Me”, “Like Love”, and “Pittsburgh” You can understand why they are headlining; they are a force to be reckoned with.

All in all, this was a show you didn't want to miss. The energy the bands brought and the crowd had can not ever be explained for this intimate tour. The Amity affliction is going on a Co-headlining tour with Silverstein with support from Holding Absence and Unity tx this fall.