It isn’t uncommon for artists to break onto the scene later into their careers. Bring Me The Horizon, Electric Callboy and Architects are just some examples of bands that didn’t explode out the gate, but instead found great success a number of albums down the line. Another band that are in the midst of a later career ascension is Californian melodic metalcore band Dayseeker.
With the release of their fifth album Dark Sun in 2022, Dayseeker found themselves touring the world unlike never before in their over ten years as a band. The band headlined Tufnell Park’s 600 capacity, The Dome back in 2023, but now a year later and with a new acoustic album, Replica, Dayseeker are back to headline the 2,300 capacity O2 Forum Kentish Town.
As always, Dayseeker didn’t come alone, as they were supported by Heart of Gold and recent collaborators, Rain City Drive. Heart of Gold brought the night to a great start, warming the crowd up for a night of dancey pop rock, however once Rain City Drive took to the stage, that’s when the crowd truly came undone. I was truly surprised by how many Rain City Drive fans there were in attendance.
I’m a fan of their songs “Wish You The Best” and the Rory Rodriguez featuring track “Medicate Me”, but I didn’t think of them being much more than a small 5 seconds of summer type band. Nonetheless the crowd exploded for Rain City Drive as if they came for them instead, and I think for some people that may have been the case.
The band performed their energetic set brilliantly and held themselves as if they were indeed the headline act of the night. For many they would be the highlight of the night, and I will admit I was impressed by their performance, however I am a Dayseeker fan, and having seen a Dayseeker live before, I could only anticipate what was still to come.
As the lights finally cut out and the intro to Dreamstate plays, Dayseeker finally takes to the stage to play one of their biggest headline shows to date. Despite their latest release being an acoustic album, fortunately Dayseeker did not put on an acoustic show. Their set consisted mostly of songs from Dark Sun, with their hits from their previous album Sleeptalk, as well as a cover of Evanescence’s hit song “My Immortal”.
The band of 12 years displayed a range of emotions throughout the night as they weaved between heavy metal, electronic rock and pop ballads seamlessly throughout the night.
The set may have featured more slow songs than your average metal show, but those who have heard Dark Sun will know that the album consists mostly of these kinds of songs. The slower softer songs of the night allowed frontman Rory Rodriguez to showcase his phenomenal voice, as well as the depth and versatility of the band’s songwriting.
Perhaps the apex of these moments was their cover of “My Immortal” as the song suited Rory’s voice perfectly and the band brought their own unique spin to the song that crescendoed expertly into slow rock akin to A Day To Remember’s “If It Means Alot To You”.
This all being said, if slow songs aren’t your speed, don’t fret, as Dayseeker played a variety of high energy bangers such as “Gates of Ivory”, “Sleeptalk” and “Neon Grave”, as well as more dancy anthems such as “Crying While You’re Dancing” and “Dark Sun”.
Overall, Dayseeker are a uniquely versatile pop metal band who displayed their unique set of skills to sheer perfection. They may be a band on the rise, but with 12 years experience under their belt, Dayseeker have nothing left to improve and are surely one album away from blowing up similar to their touring buddies Bad Omens.
The band are on a roll right now and, I for one, can’t wait for it to continue and do this all again with all new songs and on a much larger stage.
Words by Dan Harden // Photography by Martina Antonia Liberini
