The small room was packed wall to wall with fans. The pre-show playlist was turned off, signaling the band was about to take the stage. The music changes to the opening notes of the first song, and you can feel the excitement radiating off of the crowd. Heads turn towards the door, just waiting for the band to emerge.

Alternative rock band Arrows in Action played a sold out show at Mahall’s in Lakewood, OH on July 23 as part of the Built To Last summer tour. This tour follows the release of the band’s debut album Built To Last. This tour was their first full North American headlining tour and this show was the first stop of the tour to sell out, making it even more exciting and special. 

Dressed in his all white outfit, lead singer Vic Viramontes Pattison walks on stage and the crowd erupts in cheers. Drummer Jesse Fimmel runs on stage in a similar all white look and takes his place behind the drums. Guitarist Matt Fowler joins the stage in white pants and red shirt and screams “let’s go” to the screaming crowd. With a jump from Matt and flash of the lights, the first song “Made For This” begins. 

The energy in the crowd was absolutely insane. Multiple times throughout the night, crowd surfers made their way to the front and onto the stage before making their way back to the crowd. From the first line of the very first song, people were dancing, cheering, clapping and just overall having the time of their lives. People were rocking out with their friends, some they may have met for the first time that day and may have become friends through the band. 

Arrows in Action put on a fantastic show. The guitars, vocals, drums all sounded killer live and everything flowed nicely from one part to the next. They also took time to interact with the crowd and talk about how crazy it is for them to be on their first headlining tour and to sell out shows. They goofed around with one another on stage, and just looked happy and grateful to be playing their music for people who supported them. 

With Mahall’s being a smaller venue, the concert felt even more intimate and personal. The front of the crowd was pushed up right against the stage, and the first few rows could easily reach out and touch the stage. It made you feel like you were part of the concert. There was no barrier separating you from the band. So, not only could you feed off the excitement of the crowd, but the band as well. Being that up close to the action creates a new overall feeling and environment. The connection to what is happening right in front you is heightened and you are able to take everything in and live in the moment because it is just an arms length away. 

They played “Entropy,” “Built To Last” and “Put You Through Me” from their debut album and Be More EP like “All The Ways I Could Die” and “Endeavor” from their Be More EP, as well as single “This Time”. 

Arrows in Action paid homage to their friends in The Home Team by not only mentioning how they borrowed the lights they were using on stage from the band but also playing “Wide Eyes” which features The Home Team. “Wide Eyes” is a fast paced song that had the crowd dancing and rocking out. The driving guitar line and drum beat is one you can not stand still and enjoy. Plus, the crowd for sure nailed singing Brian Butcher from The Home Team’s part. 

The band also played “High” and “Over It.” “Over It” has a more laid back groovy line that had the crowd clapping along and moving to the beat. “High” is a more sassy song with a very catchy chorus that the crowd even had a little dance to do with the line, “I love the way that her halo is hiding her horns.” This song Vic ditched the guitar and moved around the stage to interact with the crowd and allow them to sing along to the chorus. Let the crowd let out their sassy and fun side for a minute. 

A touching moment of the show was during the personal song “Checking In.” During this song, the fans held up purple, orange, and red hearts over their phone flashlights. The colors matching the color scheme of their album. It was a beautiful moment to look out into the crowd and see a sea of hearts lit up for the band. A true demonstration of the support and love for the band during one of the more emotional songs of the night. 

The trio toned it down to play an acoustic medley of some of their older songs including “Denim,” “Failing On Purpose” and “Permanent Vacation.” It allowed for the band to really connect with the audience and, for those who have been following the band for years, it gave them the chance to sing along to some of their favorite songs. The crowd joined the band with every song, singing every word. You could see the happiness and shock as the band looked out to see a sold out room of fans singing along to the songs they wrote. It was a sweet and magical moment that brought the fans and Arrows In Action closer together. 

The band even brought out a little TikTok dance moment when they played their song “Head In The Clouds.” When the band released this song, they uploaded several TikToks of them doing simple stomp and clap dance along to the chorus of the song. So, with the instruction of Jesse, the crowd performed the dance. It was a fun and unique way to get the crowd involved while making it original to the band. While lots of the crowd may have known the dance, learning the dance as a group was a way for the band to connect to the crowd, and for many of the fans to dance with fellow fans. Of course now, everyone can do the simple choreography every time they listen to the song. 

Arrows in Action also performed the other collaboration song from their album, “The Credits,” which features Magnolia Park and Loveless. During this song, Devin Papadol, the lead singer of Honey Revenge, joined them on stage to sing what is Loveless’ part on the song. She killed the part and took over the stage during the rest of the song. Her voice meshed well with Vic’s during the chorus. The song itself is a fan favorite and the crowd definitely help carry Magnolia Park’s part and sang very loudly during the bridge and chorus. 

The ultimate rock moment was during “Seeing Red.” This song is full of anger, heavy guitars and drums. The crowd got probably the loudest during this song. Everyone was rocking out, screaming the lyrics, head banging, and letting out all their built up anger. The lights were turned to red to match the song, and Arrows In Action were rocking out. Matt was mouthing along to the lyrics to the crowd and headbanging along to the beat. And trust me, screaming “who the fuck are you to tell me my own truth” in a crowded room is quite cathartic. 

Arrows in Action closed out the night with one of their most popular songs, “Uncomfortably Numb.” The perfect song to close out an incredible set. For many, this may have been the song that interested them to the band. It had everyone singing along, especially during the chorus. Plus, the build in the song keeps the energy going, and the crowd jumping and moving until the very last minute. 

Arrows in Action put on a show full of energy, laughs and connection, Watching the trio on stage, you can feel their energy and appreciation for the fanbase they have grown. The joy never left their faces and the fans gave the same energy right back. The band left it all on stage and made it a night the fans will never forget; everyone leaving the show, craving the next time they can see their favorite band again. 

Arrows in Action are only just getting started. They are a band to watch because over the next few years they will only get bigger. With the support of their fans, energy,  stage presence, and catchy songs with their own unique sound, they are bound for success. 

Arrows in Action debut album Built To Last is currently available to stream on all major streaming platforms. Upcoming tour dates can be found on their website.
Check out our review of Built To Last here and our interview with the band here.