‘The Noble Art Of Self Destruction’ North American Tour Featuring Holding Absence, Casey, & Capstan – Sacramento, CA – 1.19.24

Since the release of the band’s latest studio album ‘The Noble Art Of Self Destruction’, the Welsh four-piece Holding Absence have been all over the world on supporting slots on tours with Senses Fail and Thornhill, to their own UK/EU headlining tour. The band have now made their way to the states for the North American leg of their ‘The Noble Art Of Self Destruction’ tour; bringing with them Casey and Capstan as support. On Friday, January 19th, the tour made its way to the sold out Goldfield Trading Post in Sacramento, CA.

As the lights dimmed, the intro track “Awake” played through the speakers. With ‘The Greatest Mistake Of My Life’ being my first true exposure of the band, seeing them open with “Celebration Song” always feels right. It’s as if the energy in every Holding Absence performance is amplified the second frontman Lucas Woodland belts out the first “I’m alive” line. Though the tour was in support of the band’s latest album, the set list was actually very balanced and featured performances of songs that spanned their discography. In fact, the first performance of anything off ‘TNAOSD’ didn’t start until song eight with “False Dawn”. This was actually a treat as we got to hear tracks we don’t get to hear on opening slot performances. The band performed fan favorites such as “Like a Shadow,” “Gravity,” “Birdcage,” “Monochrome,” “Wilt,” “Afterlife,” among others. From their latest album, Holding Absence performed “False Dawn,” “Scissors,” and “A Crooked Melody.” However, the absolute highlight of the night for me was getting to hear “In Circles” live for the first time, and it did NOT disappoint.

Frontman Lucas Woodland was flawless. His vocals resonated throughout the venue with a captivating intensity, bringing the emotive lyrics to life. Woodland‘s stage presence was captivating and the connection between the band and the audience was palpable, creating a shared experience of raw emotion and musical brilliance.

Holding Absence‘s ‘The Noble Art Of Self Destruction’ Tour was a testament to the band’s talent and the emotional depth of their music. It was more than a concert; it was a shared experience that left a lasting impression. If you have the chance to catch Holding Absence live, don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of this incredible journey through their discography.

Check out the full photo gallery of the performances below. Photos by photographer Alfredo Preciado (Instagram).

Capstan

Casey

Holding Absence