Live At Halftime
| Live At Halftime | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 31 April 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 27 March 2023 | |||
| Venue | George I Stadium, Duluth, Arrowhead | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 38:26 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | Max Leftfield | |||
| The Unfourgiven chronology | ||||
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On 19 September 2022, the selection of The Unfourgiven to headline the 2023 AFF World Championship (AFFWC) halftime show, officially known as the 2023 Chess Pizza Halftime Show, was announced; marking the first time the band headlined the AFFWC halftime show and being the first metal band to do so. Despite initial speculation of a set list consisting of medleys, the band's vocalist Max Leftfield would deny these rumors, stating that they were still "in communication" but that it would actually be "much, much longer" in an interview with Sunset. Rehearsal would take place on 26 March 2023, with the halftime entertainment being the following day on 27 March.
For the performance, the band utilized a horseshoe-shaped stage with LED display cubes which were hooked atop the stadium's ceiling. Pyrotechnics were also used prevalently for the "heavier" songs while the area would blacken with stage lights being directed on members playing at part, adding "a level of dramatic effect" according to Leftfield. In contrast to the last decade of halftime performances throughout the 2010s, the band's sole guest feature would be Stephen Alaric on drums for the last song in the set list and thus not a conventional guest appearance. Instead, the band had wanted additional time for their performance, whereas normal performances lasted roughly 20-25 minutes, Leftfield specifically requested up to 40 minutes of play-time. While this was initially rejected, the AFF-governing commission would partner with the Unfourgiven for a commercial release of the concert within two months of its performance. The ending run time for the performance would be 38 minutes and 26 seconds. The stage itself would be designed by Andrew Rogers of Nation fame, who has designed the stages for every AFFWC Final halftime show since 2016, with the stage being located in the middle of the field. In total, more than 2,000 individuals worked on the show.
On 29 April 2023, the band would announce Live At Halftime, a live EP of their performance, with the artwork featured being commissioned by long-time collaborator Jordan Burnham. It would be released on 31 April on digital platforms and CDs, and has been made available on vinyl through independent record stores. Upon release, over 9,000 copies were sold in its first week, and it would not chart on the Sunset 100.
Synopsis
The performance would begin with a blackout while flags of participating nations in the competition would be televised on the LED displays and a blaring alarm goes off in the distance. Through the alarm and in the darkness, drummer James Montague begins an intense intro-sequence before red back lights and blue stage lights are turned on, revealing the band, and beginning "Hardwired" to pyrotechnics. During the performance, the members crowd around one another and jam frenetically before concluding with hard stop. However, vocalist/rhythm guitarist Leftfield continues strumming scarce single notes, returns to the microphone to look upon the crowd while playing a rendition of "Doodle" before yelling the intro to "Fuel". "Fuel" features the most usage of pyrotechnics amongst the other songs in the setlist, though they cannot be heard over the audience in the live recording. This transitions into "Sad But True", which Leftfield begins by singing the chorus but backs away as the crowd chants the rest for him, something which he continues sporadically throughout the song to positive results.
This is followed by "The Wait" and "Enter Sandman", during which all stage lights are turned on and the red ones are turned off. Lead guitarist Addison Lynch begins the intro to "Nothing Else Matters", which leads to all lights ceasing besides the white stage lights on the individual members. After the song concludes, Leftfield begins saying thank you to the show attendees before drumming is heard in the background. The band members looking around and confused, see Stephen Alaric of Dungeon Keep rise from underneath the stage, brandishing the drum intro. The members seemingly nod their head in approval before beginning the finale of the show, "Whiplash", featuring both Alaric and Montague on drums. The performance would end with an array of fireworks.
Upon the EP's release, the song's live rendition would garner controversy surrounding for the band changing the lyric "But we'll never stop, we'll never quit/'Cause we're Damage Inc. bitch" by not swearing, however it wasn't the band changing the lyric that was controversial, it would be the audio recordings of the member's microphones picking up the audience chanting the word regardless of the band not saying it, and it being included on official release.
Track listing
All songs written by Max Leftfield and performed by Leftfield, Ezekiel Dodge, Addison Lynch, and James Montague; "Whiplash" features Stephen Alaric on drums additionally.
| No. | Title | Original release | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hardwired" | Armageddon Now, 2014 | 4:32 |
| 2. | "Fuel" | Piss, 1994 | 4:52 |
| 3. | "Sad But True" | The Unfourgiven, 1991 | 6:37 |
| 4. | "The Wait" | Scarstruck, 1998 | 4:43 |
| 5. | "Enter Sandman" | The Unfourgiven, 1991 | 6:48 |
| 6. | "Nothing Else Matters" | The Unfourgiven, 1991 | 6:06 |
| 7. | "Whiplash" (Damage Inc. cover) | Damage Your Ass, 1980 | 4:48 |
| Total length: | 38:26 | ||
Personnel
- Max Leftfield – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Ezekiel Dodge – bass, backing vocals
- Addison Lynch – lead guitar, backing vocals
- James Montague – drums
- Stephen Alaric – drums and backing vocals (Track 7)