Destroy Lonely Lights Up Charlotte’s The Fillmore on the 'FOREVER' Tour
Article written by and photos by KriS Sims
Article written by and photos by KriS Sims
Charlotte, North Carolina - The Fillmore was electrified in anticipation last night, as the venue was filled to capacity with fans ready to witness Destroy Lonely perform on his highly-anticipated 'FOREVER' Tour. Last night was full of electric energy, seamless beats, and unforgettable performances as it opened with an energetic set from Lil88, a DJ and producer behind many of Opium's signature sounds. As one of the pivotal figures in the creative world of Playboi Carti, Lil88's mix of atmospheric and hard-hitting trap with eerie melodies had the crowd moving from the moment he stepped onto the stage and perfectly set the tone for the headliner's arrival.
Finally, when Destroy Lonely took to the stage, the crowd went wild. With the syrupy vibes of "Syrup Sippin" serving as his opening track, Lonely commanded attention with his laid-back, captivating flow. He seamlessly segued into "About Money," a song deeply introspective yet subtly musing on wealth, before kicking things into high gear with the fan favorite "Say That," which saw the entire venue screaming the hook in unison. Lonely mixed moody, atmospheric beats with high-energy bangers, keeping the crowd engaging with every track throughout his set. He floated effortlessly across the stage, almost in an otherworldly manner, while charisma and interaction with the crowd made it all feel intimate and electric.
FIND DESTROY LONELY AT HIS INDIVIDUAL LINKS: SPOTIFY AND INSTAGRAM. WHENEVER YOU GET A CHANCE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT DESTROY LONELY TICKERTS FOR THE “FORVER TOUR”
Enter Shikari Sets Los Angeles On Fire
Article written by and photos by Natalie Ryan
Article written by and photos by Natalie Ryan
On November 9th, British rock band Enter Shikari played the last show of their biggest headline tour to date with You Me At Six and Yours Truly. The event took place at The Belasco in downtown Los Angeles, a historic theater with a capacity of 1,500. What was the final show of the tour would also be the final show You Me At Six would ever play in North America, as they are disbanding following their last UK tour next year. Enter Shikari and You Me At Six are longtime friends but had never toured together until now.
To kick off the show, the Australian pop-punk band Yours Truly played a short but highly energetic and fun set. The three-piece currently consists of vocalist Mikaila Delgado, guitarist Teddie Winder-Haron, and drummer Henry Beard. Delgado talked about how special You Me At Six was to her, and that she definitely used to run a Tumblr blog dedicated to the band, so this was quite a full-circle moment. They brought out Josh Franceschi, You Me At Six’s vocalist, to perform the song he’s featured on, “Hallucinate” (which is possibly only the second time it’s been performed that way live). Yours Truly recently released sophomore studio album “TOXIC”, which they played a few songs from including their closer, “Call My Name”. There were more than a few die-hard fans in the pit screaming every word of each song they played. The Australian band clearly can’t come to the US often, and most of the crowd was not familiar with them, but they absolutely left the stage with some new fans that night.
Next up was You Me At Six, English rock band from Weybridge, Surrey. The band consists of lead singer Josh Franceschi, guitarists Max Helyer and Chris Miller, bassist Matt Barnes, and drummer Daniel Flint. In February 2024, the band announced that they would be embarking on a farewell tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary and will break up in 2025, when the tour is over. They have released six studio albums and one live album, received notable awards from publications such as Kerrang! and Rock Sound, have sold out headline tours, and have had several top ten albums on the UK Albums Chart. You Me At Six may have been supporting on this tour, but they are an iconic band who have churned out bangers for the better part of the last 20 years. By the way that the fans showed up for them in Los Angeles, they may as well have been headlining the show. They started the set off with fan-favorite “Room to Breathe”, from their 2014 album “Cavalier Youth”. Franceschi later mentioned how much they love LA, and that’s where that particular album was made. Before playing “Bite My Tongue”, one of their heavier songs, Franceschi talked about what YMAS and Enter Shikari have in common: they both love a mosh pit. Next, Rou Reynolds, vocalist of Enter Shikari, came on stage to perform “No Future? Yeah Right” the song he is featured on from “Truth Decay”, the last album from YMAS, released in 2023. Before playing “Night People”, Franceschi asked for the lights to be turned off and for the crowd to light up the room with their flashlights. He expressed how much everyone meant to him at that moment and said “the only thing in this room is love and acceptance” before singing the emotional song, with misty eyes in the audience. The crowd was louder than ever for “Underdog”, one of their most beloved songs, followed by “Beautiful Way” the last song they would ever play in that venue, city, country, and continent. I could feel the love and the sadness of the moment all the same, and I am so glad we were able to experience You Me At Six one last time.
Find You Me At Six at their individual links below:
The night was still going, and everyone was fired up to see Enter Shikari finish off the tour. The British band consists of lead vocalist and keyboardist Rou Reynolds, guitarist Rory Clewlow, bassist Chris Batten, and drummer Rob Rolfe. The eccentric band doesn’t concern themselves with fitting into a box musically, and has a wide range of elements from post-hardcore to electronica. Their lyrics delve into the personal and political, and are not just a noise band. When seeing Enter Shikari, one moment you might feel like you’re at a sweaty hardcore show, the next it might be a rave or even a poetry slam. To start off, Reynolds took the stage by himself to perform the spoken word intro track “System...” immediately followed by the entire band joining him for the subsequent “...Meltdown”, from their 2012 album “A Flash Flood of Colour”. It’s hard not to feed off the energy of Reynolds throwing his body around the stage at every chance he gets. A crowd favorite and personal highlight of the set was a remix version of “Goldfǐsh ~” from last year’s album “A Kiss for the Whole World”, with an introduction by Reynolds saying “we are here to control pitch and tempo in order to manipulate your emotions”. The band recently released companion album to AKFTWW, “Dancing on the Frontline”, this year, including new remixes and live sessions of songs from the album. Another favorite was “Losing My Grip”, which went incredibly hard live. During an acoustic version of “Juggernauts”, Reynolds broke out two impressions of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, which were spot-on. The band left the stage after “The Dreamer’s Hotel”, when a pre-recorded call-and-response message motivated the encore chanting. Enter Shikari came back out to play “(pls) set me on fire”, most-played hit “Sorry You’re Not a WInner”, and finished with “A Kiss for the Whole World x”. Enter Shikari is a band that doesn’t care about labels or fitting in; they take big swings, and it makes for the perfect live show.
Julien Baker Sells Out The Bellwether in Los Angeles
Article written by and photos by Natalie Ryan
Article written by and photos by Natalie Ryan
On October 25th, Julien Baker played the first in a nearly sold-out run of four shows at The Bellwether in Los Angeles as part of her solo 2024 tour. What began as two nights at the venue quickly turned into four, the first three completely selling out. Baker brought along a different direct support act for each Los Angeles show (FIGHTMASTER, Medium Build, Kevin Devine, and Enumclaw), with Katie Malco as additional support.
British indie rock artist Katie Malco began the show with a low-key set, just her and her guitar. She made the crowd laugh with her deadpan humor and nonchalant attitude. Her captivating voice carried easily through the venue, enchanting the audience. She played the recently released song “Babette”, saying she named it after a girl she barely met once, but the song isn't about her. Despite somewhat of a medical emergency happening halfway through her last song, during which she stopped and the person in distress was helped, she finished strongly and left a good impression on new fans.
Next up was FIGHTMASTER, the solo project of non-binary musician and actor E.R. Fightmaster, best known for portraying a neuroscientist in seasons 18 and 19 of Grey’s Anatomy. With a full supporting band, FIGHTMASTER could’ve easily been the band headlining the night the way they were killing it. E.R. only began FIGHTMASTER last fall, releasing their debut EP “Violence”. Since then, multiple singles and a second EP, “Bloodshed Baby” have been released. The band had incredible energy and sounded even better. To close out their set, they played their flawless, chilling, and totally unique cover of Heart’s “Barracuda”, an absolute thrill to experience live.
Find FIGHTMASTER at their individual links below:
Finally, it was the moment everyone was anticipating. Julien Baker’s band came out before her and began with “Over”, transitioning into “Appointments”, which Baker ran on stage to sing. From Memphis, Tennessee, Baker is a singer-songwriter and guitarist also known as a member of indie rock supergroup Boygenius, along with Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. Her songs often revolve around addiction, faith, love, and mental illness. Being an unapologetic lesbian and Christian from the south, her music reaches a myriad of people that don’t feel like they have any representation. I wasn't sure at all what to expect from a Julien Baker show, but I was blown away by her talent, the band, and the production.
If at any time there was silence in between songs, someone from the crowd would shout some variation of “we love you!”. Several people were dressed up for Halloween as well, with a Grimace front and center at the barricade. Baker mostly played songs from her last album, “Little Oblivions”, released in 2021, including “Crying Wolf” which she played on the keyboard, a highlight of the set. The majority of the show she was playing her floral guitar, and when she wasn’t singing she was flipping her hair and going crazy during the big breakdowns. Before leaving the stage, she played “Hardline”, a devastating song about substance abuse and imposter syndrome. After a short break, Baker and her band came back to perform “Everybody Does” as the final encore song. The crowd was louder than ever with it, finishing the night with a bang.
THE DRIVER ERA in Brussels
Article written by and photos by Sabine de Graaf
Article written by and photos by Sabine de Graaf
On Sunday, October 6th, it was time for THE DRIVER ERA to take over La Madeleine in Brussels, Belgium. This show marked the halfway point for the ‘X Girlfriend Tour’ for the band. Supporting them were almost monday and Your Favorite Color, both from California, USA. The 1500-capacity show had been sold out for months, with nearly 500 fans looking for a ticket on resale sites.
At 6:30 PM the doors finally opened to the fans, who had been eagerly waiting outside the venue for hours, some of them since 6 AM. Thirty minutes after doors it was time for some music, with Your Favorite Color first up on stage. They started their set with ‘What I Need’, instantly filling the venue with their energy. During ‘Stained’ vocalist Matt Warren jumped down the stage and stood on the barricade to get closer to the crowd. Matt took a moment to thank THE DRIVER ERA for taking them on this tour, which is actually their first tour ever. The crowd was loving every second of their set, eagerly participating and clapping along. For ‘Time Only Stops When You Come Around’ the whole venue lit up with flashlights. Their set was over way too quickly, leaving the fans wanting more.
Not long after the first set ended, the next band took to the stage: almost monday. This indie pop trio is from San Diego, California, and released their debut album ‘DIVE’ nearly two weeks ago. Once again the crowd was dancing along, which honestly was hard to not do to their music. Vocalist Dawson Daugherty is an amazing frontman, who knows how to entertain the crowd and warm them up for the headliner of the evening. After ‘tidal wave’ Dawson thanked Ross and Rocky for bringing them along and putting them in front of the best fans. While it might be October and fall is in full swing, almost monday brought us back to summer days with their feel-good music, with songs like ‘sunburn’ and ‘you look so good’.
After two amazing support acts that warmed up the crowd, THE DRIVER ERA was up to keep the good vibes going. The band consists of brothers Rocky and Ross Lynch, joined live on stage by bassist Riker Lynch, keyboardist Garrison Jones, percussionist Ellington Ratliff, and drummer Dave Briggs. Just before they started, Rocky was heard through the speakers telling the crowd they could win a meet and greet after the show if they signed up for the raffle they do at every show. Fans immediately grabbed their phones to sign up. When it was finally time to start, only Ross and Rocky came out on stage for ‘OMG Plz Don’t Come Around’ to kick off the evening.
While the spotlight might have been on Ross most of the time, the fans in Brussels started chanting Rocky’s name, giving all the attention to him. They then got treated to the unreleased song ‘I’ll Be There’, which mostly has Rocky doing the vocals. A piano rolled out on stage and it was time to slow it down. Garrison sat down behind the piano and Ross, Rocky, Riker, and Ellington gathered around him. They sang ‘Heart of Mine’, with Ross doing the lead vocals and the rest joining in with backing vocals.
The band left the stage for a second and filled the venue with rain/thunderstorm sounds. In the dark Ross took off his shirt, which resulted in loud screams from the fans. The stage was lit up in rainbow lights for the next song: ‘Fantasy’. As a last song before the encore, they played ‘Preacher Man’, which is THE DRIVER ERA’s debut single that came out back in 2018. The fans screamed along loudly to this one, enjoying every second and singing along every word.
SWEAT is in the air in Nashville
Article written by Emily Chavarie and photos by Henry Redcliffe
Article written by Emily Chavarie and photos by Henry Redcliffe
There’s no doubt that the SWEAT tour was one of the most highly anticipated tours of pop music this year. The stadium was abuzz with energy from blocks away - hordes of lime green, black, and silver-clad patrons journeying through the nightly crowd of cowboy boot-wearing country fans out on Broadway (It was easy to tell who was going where). Sunglasses on indoors, glitter, and chunky chains were quite literally everywhere.
Charli opened her portion of the show with the dramatic drop of a curtain - the iconic brat green - revealing herself donning a wedding veil, white body suit, and knee-high boots, paying homage to Nashville’s reputation for bachelorette parties. You can feel Charli’s energy from across the arena - She exudes confidence, and it was a party from the get-go. I have never seen that many people jumping and singing along to every word - Charli’s music is visceral. In between songs, she slithers across the clear catwalk, the camera person catching her drooling at them from below. She opens “Vroom Vroom” with a gut-wrenching scream. The crowd and Charli have a rapport, exhibited during songs like “Guess” when they scream the word back and forth at each other. All of it is raunchy and it feels like reality.
Troye was a perfect complement to Charli, the two taking turns singing and occasionally joining forces on songs they’ve worked on together, like “1999” and “Talk Talk featuring Troye Sivan”. The trading-off of the microphone gave the show so much movement - it mimicked the way that a supportive friendship comes with a give and take. Troye’s vocal chops are impressive: He belts out ballads while executing sharp choreography and being lifted into the air by several of his chiseled backup dancers.
The stage was dressed in an industrial aesthetic with scaffolding and a cage underneath the catwalk. Flashing lights and fog bring you straight to an underground rave. Both pop icons had several costume changes, set pieces, and strapped in when a portion of the stage hoisted them up toward the roof of the arena.
THERE ARE ONLY SIX MORE SHOWS ON THE SWEAT TOUR AND IF YOU WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SNAG TICKETS, IT’S A SHOW THAT YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS.
Lil Tecca's Free Show at Royal Oak Music Theatre Brings Energy and Awareness to Clean Jobs
Article written by and photos by Jordyn Ward
Article written by and photos by Jordyn Ward
Lil Tecca lit up the stage at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in a free concert sponsored by Tradesforce, combining electrifying performances with a powerful message about the future of clean jobs. Held as part of an initiative to raise awareness about career opportunities in green industries—such as electric vehicles (EV), battery technology, and sustainable building—this unique event effortlessly blended entertainment with education.
The evening kicked off with a stellar performance by local artist Polo2Times, who set the tone for the night. His energy and presence were impressive, getting the crowd hyped for what was to come. Polo2Times showcased local talent while helping build anticipation for the headliner.
When Lil Tecca finally hit the stage, the crowd erupted. He performed fan-favorites like "Ransom" and "500 Lbs" as well as newer tracks, creating a mix that kept both long-time fans and newer listeners engaged. His charisma and connection with the audience were undeniable, making every moment feel special. Tecca’s smooth transitions between songs and constant interaction with the crowd added to the high-energy atmosphere in the intimate setting of the Royal Oak Music Theatre.
But what set this concert apart was its underlying message. Between sets, the concert included brief but impactful discussions about clean jobs in growing fields like EV production, battery technology, and green building. Tradesforce’s involvement was key here, seamlessly integrating information about sustainable careers without disrupting the flow of the concert. It was a perfect balance of fun and purpose, showing how the music industry can be a platform for raising awareness about important societal issues.
Overall, this was more than just a concert. It was a lively, engaging event that combined music and awareness, introducing the next generation to the abundance of opportunities in the clean job sector. From Polo2Times' local flavor to Lil Tecca’s headline-grabbing performance, the night was a win both for music lovers and for those interested in a sustainable future.
The Aces Unforgettable Show at The Majestic Theatre in Detroit
Article written by and photos by Jordyn Ward
Article written by and photos by Jordyn Ward
The Aces concert at The Majestic Theatre in Detroit on the 18th of September was nothing short of electric. This four-piece band, known for their dreamy blend of bedroom pop and rock, brought a sound reminiscent of The 1975 and The Japanese House, filling the venue with an infectious energy. The crowd, buzzing with excitement, was treated to a night that felt like a celebration of queer representation and musical excellence.
Opening the night was Crepe Girl, a two-piece band making their Detroit debut. They impressed the crowd with their fresh sound and confidence, showing off an eclectic mix of their original songs. But what truly lit up the room was their cover of SZA’s “Snooze,” which perfectly set the tone and had the audience vibing. For an opener, they did more than warm up the crowd-they made a lasting impression.
From the moment they took the stage, The Aces had the audience in the palm of their hand. Their performance was tight, polished, and brimming with emotion, showcasing their musicianship and ability to connect with their fans. Hits like "Girls Make Me Wanna Die" and "I've Loved You For So Long" got the crowd singing along, while the fan favorite “Suburban Blues” struck a perfect balance between heartache and euphoria. The setlist was a fantastic mix of upbeat anthems and more intimate moments, giving fans the full range of The Aces’ dynamic sound.
All in all, the night was a high-energy, inclusive celebration of music and identity, with both The Aces and Crepe Girl delivering unforgettable performances. The Aces’ ability to make every fan feel seen and heard while delivering flawless musicality proves they’re a band to watch as they continue to carve out their space in the indie pop-rock scene
McFly at Barton Aerodrome Review
Article written by and photos by Elodie Hadfield
Article written by and photos by Elodie Hadfield
McFly closed their series of outdoor shows for the summer with an incredible and energetic performance at Barton Aerodrome, Manchester the other evening. McFly are a pop-rock band who formed in the UK in 2003 and have been my favourite band to watch live for years now! I have seen them a total of seven times and they always put on the best, most energetic and feel good show and this concert was no exception.
The typical British weather attempted to dampen the spirits of the crowd by opening the heavens around two hours before McFly were due to take the stage. However, the rain certainly did not stop the crowd from having the best evening full of singing and dancing, even if the field was very muddy. Screams of excitement filled the field when YMCA kicked in, McFly’s opening song for every show. Shortly after, Danny, Tom, Dougie and Harry ran onto the stage with bundles of excitement, ready to put on a classic McFly show full of energy.
The band kicked off their set with “Where Did All the Guitars Go?” from their most recent album “Power to Play” and you best believe I was singing along in the photo pit, with the rest of the crowd. I have grown up listening to McFly, because my parents love the band, and being able to photograph and review their shows is such a pleasure and a privilege. One of the reasons I'll always watch and support McFly is because their performances are simply so full of energy and the band always look as though they are having the time of their lives on stage which creates such a feel good atmosphere at all of their shows.
As the set progressed, the band played some crowd favourites including “One for the Radio”, “Star Girl” and “Room on the 3rd Floor”. It’s safe to say the crowd were loving every minute, singing every word back at the band. I always love that there’s such a range of people who attend McFly concerts. There’s often lots of families where it’s the children’s first concert, groups of friends and couples go together and the range of ages in the crowd really shows McFly is for everyone. Whenever I go and see McFly, I always go with my mum and dad and it’s such a lovely evening to share together as a family.
McFly concluded their set with “Red” and “Forever’s Not Enough”. “Red” is a personal favorite of mine and I love that Danny jumped down from the stage for the song and sung out to the crowd from the barriers, making the night very special for the group of women at the front of the Golden Circle. The closing song of the set was, of course, “Five Colours in Her Hair”. As the McFly logo turned rainbow on the screen, the whole crowd erupted with screams as the guitars started playing one of McFly’s most famous hits.
I simply can not say enough good things about McFly and their Barton Aerodrome show. As always it was a pleasure to watch the band live, doing what they so obviously love to do and it was a true privilege to photograph and review their show. Having seen them seven times over the years aha, I can most definitely say if you love shows full of energy and fun, McFly are the band for you!
IF YOU WANT TO CATCH MCFLY LIVE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, YOU’RE IN LUCK! TO CELEBRATE THE BAND’S 21ST BIRTHDAY, MCFLY ARE PLAYING TWO DATES AT THE O2 LONDON (OCTOBER 9TH AND OCTOBER 10TH). CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS.
NIKI review
Article written by Michael Jason Perez and photos by Natt Lim
Article written by Michael Jason Perez and photos by Natt Lim
The end of summer has a way of clinging to the air, a subtle shift that signals the twilight of something fleeting. This feeling hung over The Anthem in Washington, D.C., like a bittersweet haze as NIKI took the stage. The venue was packed with fans who came to be transported by her voice, but there was an undeniable sense of something slipping away as the night wore on.
NIKI, with her delicate yet powerful vocals, delivered a performance that felt like a tender farewell to the season. With her new album “Buzz”, her setlist was a carefully curated journey through moments of nostalgia and heartache, each song pulling the audience deeper into the emotional landscape she crafts so well. Tracks like “Did You Like Her In The Morning” and “Paths” seemed to resonate with particular poignancy, their lyrics echoing in the vast space, almost as if they were a collective reflection on the passing of love, like the changing of seasons from summer to fall.
The stage itself was bathed in soft, dusky lighting—purples, pinks, and blues blending together like the last light of day before nightfall. It was a visual representation of the emotions in the room, a mix of beauty and melancholy that complemented NIKI's soulful performance. When she played “Buzz,” there was a moment of stillness as if the entire crowd was holding its breath, savoring the last notes of the song, and perhaps the last days of summer love itself.
As the show came to a close, there was a collective sense of longing in the air. The audience lingered, as if reluctant to step back into the reality that awaited outside the doors. NIKI’s performance was more than just a concert; it was a gentle reminder of the ephemerality of moments, of memories that fade, and of feelings that linger long after the last note has been played. The night at The Anthem was a beautiful, melancholic ode to the end of summer, one that left everyone with a quiet ache and a heart full of tender memories.
CATCH THE REST OF NIKI’S TOUR HERE. HERE ARE LINKS TO HER INSTAGRAM AND SPOTIFY. GIVE A LISTEN TO HER NEW ALBUM “BUZZ” HERE.
Friday Of Leeds Festival
Article written by and photos by Elodie Hadfield
Article written by and photos by Elodie Hadfield
After attending Leeds Festival for the past three years, I knew it was time to take my camera and photograph my favourite festival. Leeds Festival always falls on the August Bank Holiday weekend and is known for bringing in an impressive list of headliners as well as supplying music for everyone. Whether rock n roll or hip-hop is your thing, or maybe you love all things pop, Leeds Festival will have you and your music taste covered.
This year Leeds Festival changed up their stages and layout. The most prominent change was the removal of the Main Stage West and the introduction of the Chevron Stage. The Aux Stage was also a new addition to the Leeds Festival map this year, which should have showcased some amazing guests such as The Useless Hotline (Max Balegde and George Clarke) and Antics With Ash (Ash Holme).
Leeds Festival had six stages this year. However, the British weather had different ideas, and due to the horrendous winds, three out of the six stages had to close on Friday 23rd August. This included the Aux Stage, BBC Radio 1 Stage, and the Chevron Stage. The Aux Stage and the BBC Radio 1 Stage remained closed throughout the duration of the festival.
However, the Leeds Festival team worked incredibly hard to ensure as many artists as possible who were scheduled to perform on Friday got to perform at other times throughout the rest of the weekend. Artists such as Seb Lowe, Ashnikko, and Skrillex were all able to perform on the Saturday of the festival, making many festivalgoers very happy!
After the Leeds Festival team gave everyone the all-clear, festival-goers were able to head into the arena around 2 pm on Friday 23rd August. The first artist of the day was Bru-C. Bru-C is a British rapper and is known for his drum and bass and rap music. After a long morning, Bru-C was the perfect artist to hype up the crowd ready for the rest of the day!
After Bru-C’s set, I headed over to the BBC Introducing Stage to catch the incredible Alessi Rose. Alessi Rose was a new name to myself but I came away from her set definitely a fan! Alessi creates the exact type of music I’d listen to and, as I’m writing this, I’m listening to my personal favourite song of hers “eat me alive” I also have to mention how much I LOVED Alessi’s outfit for her performance. The bloomers and little graphic vest were the perfect festival outfit!
After fuelling up on some cheesy chips, I headed back to the BBC Introducing Stage to watch something a bit different. The Rap Game UK is a British TV show which is hosted by DJ Target, Krept and Konan and follows their journey into finding the next big rap star. The BBC Introducing Stage was graced by the six incredible contestants from the show as they performed an energetic track they had written themselves. The whole set was recorded for the show and I can certainly say the crowd absolutely loved the contestant’s performance!
Later in the day, I saw music from both Venus Grrrls and Michael Aldag. Venus Grrrls are an alternative rock band and definitely brought loads of energy to their performance! Grace Kelly is the lead singer of the band and her vocals were incredible. Michael Aldag took to the stage shortly after Venus Grrrls. Being a lover of TikTok, I had of course seen Michael on social media already but I hadn’t heard his music before so I was super excited to see his set. It’s safe to say Michael didn’t disappoint. The crowd was singing along to every word and Michael performed with so much energy and he had an incredible stage presence!
Finally, the act I was most excited about seeing took to the Main Stage: Catfish and the Bottlemen. I have wanted to see Catfish live for years and wow they were amazing! They kicked off their set with “Longshot” and the crowd was ecstatic that the band were back where they belonged performing on the main stage at Leeds Festival after their break. The energy coming from the crowd was incredible as the whole of Bramham Park sang the words back at the band.
As the set progressed, Catfish played so many of my favourites including “Pacifier”, “Fallout” and “Homesick”. They concluded their amazing, energy-filled set with two crowd favourites “7” and “Cocoon”. After seeing Catfish and the Bottlemen at Leeds Festival I need to see them live again! They currently have two UK dates scheduled for 2025. If you’re interested click here to see where and when Catfish and the Bottleman are playing next.
Concluding the Friday of Leeds Festival was Liam Gallagher. Liam played the entirety of the Oasis album “Definitely Maybe” which the crowd absolutely loved! A couple of the crowd favourites were “Rock n Roll Star”, “Supersonic” and “Live forever”. Liam Gallagher was the perfect finish for Day 1 in Bramham Park.
IF YOU MISSED LEEDS AND READING FESTIVAL THIS YEAR, YOU CAN KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THINGS LEEDS AND READING ON INSTAGRAM TO MAKE SURE NEXT YEAR YOU HAVE THE BEST AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND, SINGING TO YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS IN THE FIELD.
Detroit loves Faye Webster
Article written and photos by Jordyn Ward
Article written and photos by Jordyn Ward
For the first time since 2021 Faye Webster brought her summer tour through Michigan making a stop in Royal Oak at the Royal Oak Music Theatre, it is an understatement to say that all of Michigan made their way over to this show. The surge in Faye’s popularity in the public eye since the last time she made an appearance in the Detroit area was exponential leading to a sold out and majorly packed house at this show. Along with the quantity of bodies, energy and heat in the room came the obvious health and safety issues and even in the midst of these problems arising props to Faye, the wonderful security team at the Royal Oak music theatre and supporting act Julie and the way they quickly assessed the situation and with poise handled it efficiently and with great love and care for concert goers.
On the topic of opening band Julie, this band along with handling the adversity thrown at them at this show from fans passing out and a literal amplifier catching on fire towards the end of their set with class and still managing to absolutely tear off the roof of this theatre with their heavy indie alt rock sound. This Grunge/NuGaze band from Orange County, California has made a swift rise in the past year in the alt rock community going on a european tour, new single “Clairborne practice” making waves and tagging along with Faye Webster on this recent tour. This band's vivacity and musical prowess truly shone at this show with their ability to get a young and tame crowd genuinely rocking out. Make sure you hop on this train because the next stop for this group is stardom.
As the light dims for the headline act we are greeted by a Minions led intro to “but not kiss” and out comes Atlanta bred artist Faye Webster and the crowd goes insane expressing their fandom in decibels. With an intricate and engaging set design incorporating elements adhering to the theme of her most recent album Underdressed at the symphony the stage setup included a giant set of washing machines and an assortment of other laundry related items alluding to the album art for this album. As the night continued concert goers were taken on a trip through Faye’s quaint but powerfully complex musical catalog with songs from her most recent album aforementioned like “lego ring” one of the singles released in the campaign leading up to the album release featuring lifelong friend and musical force in his own right Lil Yachty and older work such as “ a dream with a baseball player” from her album i know im funny haha and crowd favorite and hit song “johnny” along with “johnny (reprise)” a heart wrenching poem following the same musical backing as the song before it from her album atlanta millionaires club and from that same album “right side of my neck” which was accompanied by one of the most fun forms of pyrotechnics, bubbles. And capped the night off with the song that launched Faye into the mass public eye “Kingston”, blowing up on no other than the world's newest and quickest catalyst for the stars of this generation's swift rise to fame. With slight deviations from the record form of songs as expected from an artist of her musical stature and a band with decades of experience between them performing and putting on unforgettable shows for fans to witness. This show is an unforgettable experience that you won't want to miss.
FIND FAYE WEBSTER AT HER INDIVIDUAL LINKS: SPOTIFY AND INSTAGRAM. WHENEVER YOU GET A CHANCE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT FAYE WEBSTER’S MUSIC AND LISTEN TO HER MOST RECENT WORK “UNDRESSED AT THE SYMPHONY”
Northlane Show Review
Article written and photos by Vanessa Holt
Article written and photos by Vanessa Holt
At the beginning of summer, Northlane embarked on the Mirror’s Edge North America Tour with a completely stacked lineup with support from: Invent Animate, Thornhill, and Windwaker. This Northlane show was the metalcore show of the month for all Salt Lake fans.
Windwaker and Thornhill were a blessing of an addition to the lineup with being two of the most up and coming bands in the scene. Both bands come from Australia and have a unique sound of their own that just so happens to fit perfectly on the lineup. Windwaker’s setlist had a range of songs from their newest album, Hyperviolence that was released earlier this month we got to hear songs such as Get Out and Fractured State Of Mind. Thornhill also played a variety of songs from their newest single, Obsession and older songs that are just classics such as Casanova. Thornhill’s set was filled with so much energy they have the perfect moody, strong emotional edge to their songs.
Coming in strong as the direct support, Invent Animate took the stage, and the energy of the room had immediately gone up. The band has had a fan base that has been increasing every year since their return to the music scene thanks to all the amazing supporting spots the band has taken on, every time I continue to see the band perform the audience grows and increases. Invent Animate played a perfectly curated setlist with songs such as Shade Astray and Purity Weeps, with a moshpit that stayed open during the entire set and a consistent stream of crowd surfers, Salt Lake made sure to give it their all. They ended with a strong closing of Immolation Of Night with an absolutely unbeatable breakdown, that had one of the best wall of deaths that had come out of the show so far.
Closing out the night with Northlane, the band continues to give an epic and absolutely unforgettable experience. The band crushed through their setlist song after song and never faltered the minute they had set foot on stage even due to the intense heat that filled the room. Northlane had performed basically the latest EP in full, excluding Let Me Disappear but it wasn’t a major loss. During Kraft the band welcomed on stage, Jacob Charlton the vocalist for Thornhill for the featured spot on the song. They even had thrown in a surprising twist of mixing together, Worldeater, Dispossession, and Jinn for an interesting but memorable mash-up. With the intricate guitar work and a perfect mix of Marcus Bridge’s aggressive screams and clean vocals, nothing beats their live performance.
Postmodern Jukebox 10 Tour
Article written and photos by Jordyn Ward
Article written and photos by Jordyn Ward
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox a rotating musical collective founded by pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011 brought their 10th-anniversary tour to The Fillmore in Detroit on the 24th of July. Playing a collection of reworked covers of some of the biggest pop songs of this generation. This collective has turned into a star in its own right playing thousands of shows around the world.
Host and male vocalist Rogelio Douglass jr kicked off the night with loads of humor and a rundown of how the eclectic night would go, the anticipation of a pure form of entertainment and spectacle surged through the room in a way that you would compare to a carnival but instead of lions, clowns and rings of fire the show consisted of hearing Broadway level performers adjust your favorite classics in the best way possible and transporting you into history at the same time. With stand-out performances of “Seven nation army” by The White Stripes converted into a New Orleans dirge cover, “love story” by pop icon Taylor Swift in the 1940s Bebop Le Boheme form, “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard reinvented as a 60s soul cover and breathtaking rendition of “ use somebody” by Kings of Leon performed by host Rogelio Douglass jr.
There is not another show that encapsulates the same creative energy and flare that Postmodern Jukebox is able to cultivate live and with the 10th anniversary milestone in the books make sure to check out this collective to see what’s in store next.
A Day to Remember Like Today
Article written by and photos by Alec Moody
Article written by and photos by Alec Moody
A Day To Remember's latest tour, "The Least Anticipated Album Tour 2024," was an incredible showcase of pop-punk energy and nostalgia, featuring a killer lineup of opening acts that set the stage for an unforgettable evening. The first openers, Scowl, delivered an electrifying performance, it was my first time seeing them live, and I was semi-familiar with them due to SLC’s Hardcore scene and previously seeing fellow photographer ‘Adam Degross” stellar photos from one of their previous performances in Utah. Kat Moss kicked off their set with "Retail Hell" and "Sold Out," before closing with a fan favorite "Opening Night." Their kick-ass and energetic set pumped up the audience, creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation for the bands to follow. If you haven’t taken the time to listen to Scowl and/or Moss’s incredible scream, I highly suggest you go listen to “Shot Down” as an introduction to just how killer this group is.
The second opener, Four Year Strong, captivated the audience from the first chord of "Brain Pain." The crowd was fully engaged, singing along and head bobbing to each song. Their performance included their hit "daddy of mine," which had the people at the barricade shouting the words back at the band and head-banging. They closed their set with "Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)," a classic song off of their 2010 album “Enemy Of The World” that resonated with both longtime fans and newcomers alike, leaving the audience craving more. I’d suggest listening to “Uncooked” to get an idea on how sick this pop-punk / easycore group sounds.
The third opener, The Story So Far, took the stage with lead singer Parker Cannon greeting the fans. His casual yet stylish ensemble of jeans and a Palace X Umbro designer t-shirt instantly caught my eye. The band wasted no time, diving straight into their set with "Big Blind." The energy continued to build, as they transitioned to "All This Time" which quickly ignited into heavy moshing at the front of the barricade. Despite the security team's efforts to keep everyone in order, the raw energy was unstoppable. They finished their set with "Nerve," a perfect pop-punk finale that left the audience shouting and clapping for more. I was not as familiar with The Story So Far, but as I was driving up to the show I shuffled around their latest album “I Want To Disappear” and would suggest listening to that whole album because there wasn’t a single skip.
As A Day To Remember prepared to take the stage, the anticipation was palpable. They launched into their performance with an explosive rendition of "Sticks and Bricks," filling the sky with colored confetti as Jeremy McKinnon belted out the opening lyrics. Being in the photo pit, I had the incredible experience of capturing Jeremy's dynamic stage presence, with numerous moments where he made direct eye contact and actively engaged with my camera. The whole band played an extensive setlist, spanning from their classic album "What Separates Me From You" to their latest release "For Those Who Have Heart." A standout moment was their cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," originally performed in 2010, which added a nostalgic touch to the night for me. Throughout the set there were multiple times when people were being crowdsurfed and at one point, people began crowdsurfing on top of the crowdsurfers which further ignited the band and in turn, the crowd with even more energy.
I have personally dreamt of seeing ADTR in concert since I first heard “Out Of Time” back when I was in 6th grade. This group was been one of my literal anchors throughout all of my conscious life and they have been a pivotal band in forming me as a person and my musical interests. Towards the end of their set, I sat my camera down, closed my eyes, and just let all my emotions wash over me, feeling tears run down my face. I couldn’t help but think back to me as a twelve-year-old kid who needed this band, at such a core time of my life. This concert was everything I had ever dreamt it to be, a perfect blend of high energy, emotional connection, and unforgettable music.
Hobo Johnson in Royal Oak, Michigan
Article written and photos by Jordyn Ward
Article written and photos by Jordyn Ward
Frank Lopez jr also known as Hobo Johnson a 29-year-old musician from Northern California, Recognized most popularly for his song peach scone which blew up on the internet for its quirky theme and creative storytelling, and his tiny desk concert in 2018 that brought his name to the masses, brought his HJ Drinks Tour to the Royal Oak music theatre in Michigan to bring a show full of comedy gold in the form of crowd banter and poetry in the form of music. With up-and-coming openers, Baby Jake and Remo Drive this evening would chalk up to be a Tuesday night for the books.
Openers Baby Jake and Remo Drive independently quickly became fan favorites with an indie sound resembling that of indie rock bands Peach Pit and The Backseat Lovers and a stage presence that has surely been cultivated by many years of performing.
Find Remo Drive at their individual links below:
Then when Hobo Johnson finally made his way to the stage a banner dropped and a fridge-like stage prop swung open revealing a spotlight on Hobo Johnson and his band the lovemakers made their way to the stage with great enthusiasm and seemed to recognize a few fans in the crowd. They opened with one of his most popular songs Romeo and Juliet and this immediately sent the crowd into action as they recited word for word bar for bar of each and every bit of the setlist going all the way up until his most famous song Peach Scone and aside from a few hiccups including a fan seemingly passing out the night went smoothly and timely from top to bottom full of laughter and amazing musicianship and stage work.
FIND HOBO JOHNSON AT HIS INDIVIDUAL LINKS: SPOTIFY AND INSTAGRAM AND IF YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF IN A POSITION TO SEE THIS SHOW LIVE, TAKE IT!
PVRIS Concludes North American Tour in Los Angeles
Article written and photos by Natalie Ryan
Article written and photos by Natalie Ryan
On July 12th, pop-rock act PVRIS completed the North American dates of their tour at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. This tour was immediately following a run of European shows. They were joined by English rock band Pale Waves and alt-pop musician Sizzy Rocket. With a lineup of great acts and queer artists supporting each other, it was more than worth it to show up early to see everyone.
First up was Sizzy Rocket, a multi-hyphenate solo act who released her debut album and started her independent record label both in 2016. The songs she performed were sexy, fun, and confident, and the crowd was into it. In a barely-there bodysuit, with no backup, her stage presence and poise clearly gave off her star potential. She brought out a guitar halfway through her set and eventually a keytar nearly as big as her, which can only be described as sick as hell. I especially liked the song “Tattoos” from her 2019 album “Grrrl”.
Find Sizzy Rocket at her individual links below:
Next was Pale Waves, a band that belongs on any 80s-inspired soundtrack or playlist. The band consists of Heather Baron-Gracie on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ciara Doran on drums, Hugo Silvani on lead guitar and keyboards, and Charlie Wood on bass and keyboards. I became a fan of them when their first album “My Mind Makes Noises” came out in 2018, which I loved, and I came back to them when their third album “Unwanted” was released in 2022. I was happily surprised to find I knew the words to every song they played with the exception of the new single “Perfume”. I genuinely felt 18 again, while listening to “Eighteen”, and whether the crowd knew Pale Waves or not, they were enjoying it as well. Baron-Gracie, a lesbian, announced they were about to do something special for the lesbians (which is descriptive of the entire show, really), before playing “She’s My Religion”, with Lynn Gunn of PVRIS joining the band. The crowd went wild, and the colors of the lesbian flag lit up the stage. They finished the set with “Jealousy”, one of my personal favorites and a strong closer.
Find Pale Waves at their individual links below:
PVRIS came out swinging with “GOOD ENEMY”, a fast, flashy, and emphatic song. The stage production was dark and moody, with strobing lights to the beat that perfectly matched the energy of the music. PVRIS is formally Lynn Gunn on all instruments, and currently when touring, former full-time member Brian Macdonald joins on bass and keyboards, along with Denny Agosto on drums. Their debut album, “White Noise”, was released in 2014, part of the Warped Tour-era of new bands, with a dark synth-pop-rock sound and Gunn’s flawless vocals immediately exciting the scene. That album will always be special to me and I’ve been a fan since its release. The first time I saw PVRIS was in 2015, and I met one of my best friends to this day waiting in line for their meet and greet. I only missed one of their tours after that. I am being “SENTI-MENTAL” (which they also played), but seeing this show really meant a lot to me.
A big highlight of the night was Tommy Genesis and Alice Longyu Gao coming out to perform their recent collaboration “Burn The Witch” for the first time live! Another gift was getting to hear “Oil & Water”, one of PVRIS’ latest singles where Gunn’s vocals are really on display, a heartfelt song about being pushed away from the one person you want to pull you close. Powerhouse songs like “HYPE ZOMBIES”, “Monster”, and “I DON’T WANNA DO THIS ANYMORE” really got everyone going, understandably so. They finished with an encore of “My House” and “GODDESS”, while everyone in the room sang and jumped along. Sizzy Rocket also came out for the end of the last song with her keytar, a perfect way to close out a tour. PVRIS always puts on a great show, and they just keep getting better, especially with the release of their album “EVERGREEN” last year.
A PVRIS show is a beautiful place, mostly because it’s full of lesbians enjoying themselves and the music that was made for them, but no matter who or where you are, it’s always a good place to be. PVRIS will do that for you, and we should thank them.
Queefers Rise Up In SLC
Article written by Destiny Ross and photos by Destiny Ross & Alec Moody
Article written by Destiny Ross and photos by Destiny Ross & Alec Moody
Queef Jerky is a band for the people by the people. On their latest tour through Salt Lake City, at the Soundwell, they proved that to us. Dev and Nick, both talented in other ways than this band, have created a world of music made to “outlive”* the world as we know it. They have made music that has connected and created fandoms of different diverse age ranges, interests, etc. Their experimental and collaborative project, being made to be “post-music-music” really encapsulates what vibe they are going for. Fun and wacky, of course…
They recruited Orange Soda, a local hyper-pop group, composed of three brothers, to fill in for Lenny Zen… who was supporting the first half of the tour but wasn't able to make this date. Orange Soda brought the heat to the stage as they came out in full hamster onesies with matching hamster wife beaters on. They were committed all throughout their set as they took the stage dancing and belting their hearts out. With them all being a part of their own projects, coming together to be one with this project is beautiful with their collaboration on stage and in music. They were entertaining between songs and interactive with the crowd as they talked to us and made us feel welcomed.
Find Orange Soda at their link below:
After a short set change and a few stagehands getting cheered on, the moment everyone was waiting for was finally there. Most of the crowd were in PJs, per Queef Jerky’s dress code they made, and I can vouch for everyone and say we were sweaty but ready being in Utah summer. The crowd went understandably, absolutely berserk as Nick took the stage. He first did some crowd work as he then took to his drums, and drums Dev in to take the stage as well. Both of them in PJs ready to play along with the crowd and have a good time.
They played a variety of songs throughout their whole entire discography which was nice for new and old fans alike. Newer fans were able to hear hits such as DON’T TALK BACK TO LADIES and MICHAEL PAUL and fans from their earlier days got to hear hits like PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN and QUEEF STEW. In between sets they were given many things from their fans as they have a very tight-knit relationship with their fans. They also continuously made the audience laugh and scream back at them as they told us things about the album and told us things about each song.
They truly provide an otherworldly type of stage presence when it comes to being a two man band taking up a whole stage… They do it easily and beautifully. Dev sounds even better live than you think she would and by that I mean she sounds exactly like their recording but with more raw emotion while also providing dancing in between during Nick’s lyrics and even her own. Nick provides energy that the whole night needed but didn't know it. He brought excitement to the set and unpredictable moments with the drums. Nick got up from behind his drums during the set to, fortunately, interact with the audience and give them hoodies that were stained at some point on tour, so they signed them and gave them away to select fans that night.
If you have never seen them live I definitely suggest and encourage it for the experience ALONE. If you’re a fan already then you should see them regardless but if you have no idea who they are, go to a live show and experience the vibes they bring to the table and bask in the glory of their talent collectively together in one project.
Cage The Elephant Sets SLC Ablaze in Tour Kickoff
Article written by and photos by Alec Moody
Article written by and photos by Alec Moody
On June 20th, 2024, Cage The Elephant kicked off their much-anticipated tour at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre with an electrifying performance that set the bar high for the rest of the tour. The evening began with the artist Willow Avalon, whose melodic country tunes welcomed concertgoers. Though I was unable to see her performance directly, her voice and captivating melodies drifted through the air, providing a sweet prelude to the night we’d had ahead. It was clear from the reactions of those who were able to catch her set that Willow Avalon had made a memorable impression on Salt Lake City.
Following Willow Avalon's enchanting opening, the stage was taken by Bakar, an English artist who has amassed a very large following throughout the UK and US. His set brought a chill, yet extremely danceable laid-back vibe that seamlessly transitioned the audience into the night. Bakar’s smooth vocals and relaxed beats resonated well with the crowd, as he opened up with “All In” creating an intimate atmosphere that allowed everyone to settle in and fully immerse themselves in the musical journey that was unfolding. His performance was a perfect balance of mellow and energetic, setting the tone for the act that was set to follow.
As the night continued, Young The Giant took the stage, and the energy in the amphitheater began to climb. Known for their melodic rock sound, the band played a healthy amount of both new hits and beloved classics, They opened up with “Jungle Youth” and seamlessly transitioned to “The Walk Home”. Which they then transitioned to my favorite song and the one I was the most excited to hear, “Cough Syrup”. Their performance was nothing short of energetic nostalgia, with fans jumping and singing along to every song. Young The Giant's dynamic presence and powerful setlist kept the audience on their feet and eagerly anticipating the headliner.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived as Cage The Elephant stormed onto the stage amidst a dramatic display of flames shooting high into the night sky. Their explosive opening to the night began with “Broken Boy” from the first chord, the band's energy was palpable and the crowd erupted with screams and cheers. With a setlist that included tracks from their newest album "Neon Pill" alongside fan-favorite classics like Melophobia, Cage The Elephant delivered a high-octane performance that had everyone jumping, dancing, and singing at the top of their lungs. The seamless blend of new and old songs showcased their versatility and ensured that every fan left wanting more, marking the first show of their tour as an unforgettable night and celebration of classic alternative music.
CSH performs at the Woodland Park Zoo
Article written by and photos by Jupiter Schuchart
Article written by and photos by Jupiter Schuchart
On a calm summer evening, the tranquil surroundings of Woodland Park Zoo were transformed into a pulsating hub of indie rock fever as Car Seat Headrest took the stage that night. It was the first time the band had performed all together after frontman Will Toledo battled with his health.
The opening act set the tone with an energetic performance, but it was clear that the audience was eagerly awaiting the main event. Guitarist Ethan performed a cover from Toy Bastard, with the song “Daddy Was A Starship Captain,” as drummer Andrew painted on the stage. Every brush stroke hitting the canvas along with the music made the fans more and more eager to see the final piece and await the rest of the band to come out. When Will Toledo finally emerged, they were met with a roar of cheers and applause.
Frontman Will Toledo, known for his reflective lyrics and distinctive voice, did not disappoint. The band opened with "The End of Dramamine," immediately drawing the audience into their world of raw emotion and intricate melodies. Toledo’s vocals were as raw and powerful live as they are on record. The fans sang loudly along with every lyric having the crowd and band’s energy bounce back and forth from each other making, electrifying the whole zoo with their spirit.
The setlist was a well-curated mix of old favorites and newer tracks from released to unreleased that the band had not performed altogether in many years. Songs like "Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales" and "Something Soon" were met with enthusiastic sing-alongs, while die-hard fans were excited for songs like “Stoop Kid” and “Cosmic Hero” to make a return to the setlist. Meanwhile deeper cuts like "Beach Life-in-Death" showcased the band's versatility and depth.
One of the highlights of the evening was an extended jam session during "Destroyed by Hippie Powers," where each member had a moment to shine. The energy was infectious, with the audience dancing and swaying to the hypnotic rhythms. Another highlight was a surprise cover song from “Dreams” originally released by Fleetwood Mac. Hearing Will Toledo's raw voice along with the song did not disappoint with the passion and emotion he delivered within the song.
As the night drew to a close, Car Seat Headrest treated the audience to an encore, finishing with "Around," a song that encapsulates heartache, doubt, and confusion. The crowd's applause and cheer lingered long after the last notes faded.
In conclusion, Car Seat Headrest’s concert at Woodland Park Zoo was worth the long wait. The band’s passion shone through, making it a night to remember for all in attendance. The combination of a beautiful performance and a unique venue made this concert one to hold close and remember for years to come.
FIND CAR SEAT HEADREST ON SPOTIFY AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY UP TO DATE ON THEIR LATEST.
Taking Back Sunday - The Union Event Center / Salt Lake City, UT
Article written and photos by Vanessa Holt
Article written and photos by Vanessa Holt
Following the release of their latest album, 152 Taking Back Sunday has hit the road this summer in celebration of the album release. The tour made a stop in Salt Lake City at The Union Event Center and we kicked off the summer night with a performance from Citizen, they started their set with I Want To Kill You from their album Life In Your Glass World and they had planned that perfectly, it was the perfect song to get the crowd up and off their feet. The energy in the room immediately changed once the song started with fans headbanging all along the railing and fans throughout the whole crowd jumping, during the chorus the volume of the crowd was matched exactly with the band and it was the perfect blend.
The energy stayed consistent throughout Citizen’s set even for some of their more mellow songs such as Blue Sunday. Their setlist was enough to get everyone moving a little in preparation for Taking Back Sunday, even concertgoers who had never seen nor heard of Citizen couldn’t resist not moving throughout the set. With an amazing opening, they had a killer ending closing their set with Death Dance Approximately, which is one of the most infectious songs to exist off the album, especially with a great drum beat and crazy bassline. Citizen’s raw indie pop punk was the perfect opening to the night.
Find Citizen at their individual links below:
Taking Back Sunday took the stage shortly after with a stunning entrance with the stage being backlit and a neon “152” in the middle for the band’s backdrop, it felt like one of those “as time stops” moments for the crowd to be hit with the realization that once again their favorite band is back on stage in front of them, they started their set with S'old off their new album. Their setlist had a good chunk of the new album scattered throughout, but they couldn’t leave their die-hard fans hanging, they had perfectly incorporated all the older songs throughout the setlist such as MakeDamnSure and A Decade Under The Influence since after all they do make some of the best sing-along songs.
Taking Back Sunday has always been one of those staple bands for the indie/rock scene and has been around for quite some time. Everyone can agree that it’s never a dull time seeing them perform at any stage of their career, every time they take the stage they’ve always put on a stellar performance with their meaningful songs that have made it so easy for fans to connect with them. Taking Back Sunday continues the 152 tour all summer long till the end of August.
