Parkway Drive at the Starland Ballroom on Saturday, February 11th, 2023

Nick "Chewie" Polis - WDHA

With the Summer of Loud hitting the PNC Bank Arts Center this Summer, Team DHA's Nick Polis is taking a look back at the sold out show Parkway Drive played at the Starland Ballroom in February of 2023!

Parkway Drive has always been one of my favorite live bands from the first time I saw them, and this time further cemented that in my mind. This show was perfectly billed, with the venue absolutely packed in time for the first band. I arrived with 20 minutes until Currents started and the line to park started halfway down Jernee Mill Road, and I almost didn't make it in time for the start of their set.

Nick "Chewie" Polis - WDHA

Thankfully, make it I did and Currents set off the the night with an amazing set that had the whole place rocking. Their set showed off the range the band had, although given the number of people already inside at this point, I'd say they didn't need to give the crowd a crash course on what the band was all about. From new songs like "Vengeance" to their set staple "Into Despair", Currents really got the crowd moving and the blood pumping, hyping everyone up for the night to come.

Memphis May Fire guitarist Kellen McGregor plays guitar

Nick "Chewie" Polis - WDHA

Following currents was metalcore mainstays Memphis May Fire. Unlike Currents, the Texan four-piece decided to go heavy on their newest album Remade In Misery (2022), playing 8 of its 11 songs. Personally, I only really knew the singles from the album, but I proved to be on the less-informed side of things, as the Starland Ballroom crowd went crazy for the new songs. That isn't to say that when the older hits "Vices" and "The Sinner" popped up in the set the place didn't explode with excitement. There's a reason these guys were put on the tour, and they showed up to throw down with the rest of us.

Parkway Drive guitarist Luke Kilpatrick holds his hands in the air together

Nick "Chewie" Polis - WDHA

Finally the lights go down only to be blinded by lights across the stage as Parkway Drive came on stage. Then with the 3-2-1 that kicks off "Glitch", they began their set and shook the Starland Ballroom to its foundation. They proceeded to put on a show that proved they deserve to be part of the new wave of festival headlining bands. From older, heavier tracks like "Boneyards" and "Karma" that had the pit looking like the end of Avengers: Endgame (2019), to newer ballads like "Darker Still", the band showed they can play any style they want and still have a sold out crowd in the palm of their hands.