Hollywood Undead performs energetically on stage amidst colorful lights and smoke effects. The lead singer holds a microphone and sings. A flag with a distinctive symbol is held up in the background. The audience's hands are raised, showing excitement.

Hollywood Undead at the Saranac Biergarten “One-Offs in Strange Places” Concert

Posted on by Bryan Lawrence
Hollywood Undead "One-Offs in Strange Places" flyer. The central image features five band members posing. Dates and venues listed: 7/19 - Utica, NY (Saranac Brewery) and 8/09 - Oklahoma City, OK (Diamond Ballroom) with special guest Fit for a King.

After the afternoon at the Utica Zoo, I headed over to the Saranac Brewery to catch the Hollywood Undead performance.

The show was part of their intriguingly named “One-offs in Strange Places” concert tour.

My last encounter with the band had been at Rock-n-Derby in 2016, held at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds in upstate New York.

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Saranac Brewery

Inside the venue at the Saranac Brewery | Utica, NY

The outdoor venue, nestled beside Saranac Brewery, was adorned with numerous Utica Club beer advertisements. I was surprised to see the brand still around. It brought back memories of an old joke: drink Utica Club Light and “you see light.” In retrospect, if I hadn’t gotten Utica and Ithaca mixed up, I might’ve signed up for a brewery tour. Even though I’m not much of a drinker, it could’ve been a cool bonus to go along with the show.

I arrived shortly after the doors opened at 7 PM. Upon entering, I snagged two bottles of water and made my way to the stage area, securing a prime spot. Despite being early, options were limited. The merchandise booth was swarming with fans, leaving little else to occupy my time while I waited for the main event.

Fit for a King

The evening commenced with Fit for a King, a metalcore act that, while unfamiliar to me, clearly resonated with this audience. Their fanbase was evident, with numerous attendees sporting their merchandise and enthusiastically singing along to each track.

Fit for a King’s set consisted of eight songs, including the unreleased “Technium,” slated for release on July 26th. While the band’s energy was palpable and their connection with the audience undeniable, their musical offerings lacked distinguishing elements that might set them apart within the crowded metalcore landscape. This observation aligns with various online critiques that have described the band’s sound as somewhat generic.

Despite the polished execution, Fit for a King’s set failed to leave a lasting impression on me.

An artistic close-up image of a woman's face painted in blue and brown tones, fit for a king. The texture of the painting appears to be on a semi-transparent mesh or fabric, and the woman's expression seems pensive, with streaks that resemble tears flowing down her face.

Hollywood Undead

The headliners, Hollywood Undead, took the stage with an electrifying performance of “California Dreamin’,” a fitting opener that pays homage to their Los Angeles roots. With an extensive catalog of hits, the band delivered a setlist that to me contained no fillers. I may be biased.

Hollywood Undead’s performance, for me, evokes comparisons to other high-energy rock acts such as Three Days Grace and Theory of a Deadman, offering a non-stop barrage of crowd-pleasing tracks. Their set spanned an impressive 19 songs, drawing from six different albums and showcasing the band’s musical evolution over the years.

The 90-minute performance was a testament to Hollywood Undead’s stamina and stage presence with Charlie Scene being a dominant presence as usual. While the entire setlist resonated with the audience, several moments stood out. “Comin’ In Hot” (clip below) where the band invited a young fan onstage to flip off the crowd throughout the song. Other standout performances included the emotionally charged “Bullet,” the raucous “Everywhere I Go,” and the anthemic “Undead,”.

This carefully curated performance not only satisfied longtime fans with a journey through the band’s discography but also served as an excellent introduction for newcomers to Hollywood Undead.

I wasn’t disappointed and looked forward to the ride home after 4 and a half hours on my feet.

Johnny 3 Tears wearing a red cap, black sleeveless shirt, and jeans passionately sings into a microphone on stage at a Hollywood Undead concert. Colorful lights and smoke create a dynamic background. The man has tattoos on his arms and appears fully engaged in his performance.
Charlie Scene wearing a white T-shirt, black pants, and a cap is performing on stage with a microphone at a Hollywood Undead concert. They are making a peace sign with one hand while colorful stage lights illuminate from behind.
Silhouette of Charlie Scene holding a microphone, standing on stage against a red-lit, foggy background. The individual is wearing a baseball cap and appears to be in mid-performance at what looks like an electrifying Hollywood Undead concert.
A person with curly hair and a mustache performs on stage, holding a microphone. They wear a white and gray baseball cap, a white and gray long-sleeved AC/DC shirt, and dark pants. Green lights and smoke enhance the dynamic concert atmosphere, reminiscent of Hollywood Undead's energetic performances.
Danny Murillo with short white hair is performing on stage at a Hollywood Undead concert, wearing a white t-shirt and dark jeans. He is playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone. Red stage lights illuminate the background, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Danny Murillo with short, light hair is playing an electric guitar and singing passionately into a microphone at a Hollywood Undead concert. They are wearing a white T-shirt and black pants. Bright green stage lights illuminate the background, adding a dramatic effect to their performance.
Johnny 3 Tears of Hollywood Undead in a tank top and red cap sings into a microphone on stage. Bright pink and purple lights illuminate the scene, while audience members raise their hands in appreciation. A decorative light display in the shape of a tree is visible in the background.
A musician wearing a black LA baseball cap and a white jersey is intensely playing a black electric bass guitar on stage. The background, reminiscent of a Hollywood Undead concert, is dark with subtle green lighting and fog creating a moody atmosphere.
A person wearing a denim jacket and a baseball cap is performing energetically on stage under colorful lighting at a Hollywood Undead concert. A member of the audience in the foreground is recording the performance with a smartphone.
Charlie Scene performs on stage at a Hollywood Undead concert, holding a microphone to his mouth with one hand and raising his other hand with his middle finger extended. He wears a cap, a white graphic t-shirt, and dark pants. Blue stage lights and smoke create a dramatic background.

Previous Attended Shows Playlists

Video Clips

Comin’ In Hot

Undead