Norwegian black metal legends, Mayhem, brought the Sanguine Sodomy of North America tour to The Vic Theatre in Chicago, this past Friday, April 1st. Mayhem was scheduled to co-headline the tour with Swedish black metal band, Watain. Unfortunately, a couple of days before the tour was set to start, Watain announced they had problems with obtaining their visas and had to drop out of the tour entirely.
Midnight, led by vocalist/bassist Athenar brought the energetic and blasphemous sounds of blackened speed metal, opening with their song "Black Rock 'n' Roll" the masked trio played 45 minutes worth of their discography, with some of the crowd favorites being "Evil Like a Knife" "You Can't Stop Steel" and the closing song "Unholy and Rotten" While the crew worked on putting the finishing touches on Mayhem's production, fog filled the theater giving an already eerie vibe a boost. Mayhem vocalist, Attila, came out, cloaked and masked, to the sounds of their song "Falsified and Hated" from their latest album, Daemon. There were 3 acts in their set, with short intermissions for wardrobe and backdrop changes. Act 1 finished up with Voces Ab Alta and Act 2 quickly started up with the famous "Freezing Moon" riff off of their first studio album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. The band's light show definitely shined in the last 2 acts, being only back-lit, Mayhem's unique look and sound made for a great sight to see. For act 3, all 5 members removed their cloaks and masks, giving it their all on stage. True Norwegian Black Metal is still alive and well, as Mayhem showcased that almost 40 years later, despite multiple member deaths and changes, they can rock the stage. Mayhem said they would be back to the USA soon, whether that's with Watain if they solve their visa problems or not, is yet to be seen. Whatever the lineup is, it'll be a killer time. Review/Photo By: Heriberto Gallegos
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Jojo’s 2022 Tour rolls through Chicago. Jojo made it to The Vic Theatre in Chicago IL April 5th, 2022. It was a typical rainy, April day in Chicago with a high in the low 40’s, but that wasn’t going to deter fans from lining up and around the The Vic to see JoJo, Tanerelle and Lindsey Lomis perform. Lindsey Lomis started the night off setting a calm, mellow vibe to ease the audience in. It was clear the audience was feeling her soft melodic voice as they rocked back and forth to every strum of her guitar. Next up was Tanerelle who switched up the mood and DROPPED THE BASS! Tanerelle, definitely brought more of a sensual vibe to the The Vic and gave the audience a completely different feel. Then the moment, everyone had been waiting for… JOJO! JoJo put on a performance from beginning to end that had the crowd engaged through out. She started the night off with "What U Need” from her album “Good To Know.” Jojo gave 110% throughout the entirety of the performance from the choreography, vocals to fan interaction, by even going out into the crowd to sing with her fans. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t taken back in a time machine to my childhood in 2004, back when what young boy wasn’t crushing on Jojo, when she performed one of the, most popular songs of the early 2000’s “Leave” and then “Too Little Too Late” right after. THE CROWD WAS LOSING IT!… and so was I.. haha. Jojo put on an amazing performance and you definitely shouldn’t miss an opportunity to see her live at one of her upcoming shows if you have the chance, or listen to her new EP “Trying not to think about it”! April 8, 2022 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II April 9, 2022 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue April 13, 2022 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall April 14, 2022 – Montreal, QC @ Corona April 16, 2022 – Ottawa, ON @ Bronson Centre May 3, 2022 – London, England @ The Roundhouse May 6, 2022 – Dublin, Ireland @ Academy May 9, 2022 – Manchester, England @ O2 Ritz May 10, 2022 – Glasgow, Scotland @ The Garage May 12, 2022 – Brighton, England @ Concorde 2 May 13, 2022 – Birmingham, England @ O2 Institute May 15, 2022 – Paris, France @ Alhambra May 16, 2022 – Cologne, Germany @ Luxor May 18, 2022 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso May 21, 2022 – Vienna, Austria @ Grelle Forelle May 23, 2022 – Milan, Italy @ Santeria Toscana 31 May 25, 2022 – Berlin, Germany @ Lido May 27, 2022 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ DR Concert House, Studio 2 May 28, 2022 – Oslo, Norway @ Parkteatret May 30, 2022 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Fryshuset (Klubben) Review/Photo By: Connor Hannan Wednesday nights are normally reserved for TV and the dreading of work on Thursday. This past Wednesday was different when metal impresarios Baroness stopped by Crowbar in Tampa, FL. Baroness can best be described as musician’s musicians; they are just so good at their craft. The dreaminess they intermingle with the heaviness is mesmerizing. Gina Gleason and John Dyer Baizley compliment each other while at the same time challenging each other, which makes for a hypnotic musical experience.
They will be touring the US through May, ending with Welcome to Rockville, before heading to Europe for the metal festivals there. Tour Dates: 4/6/2022- Three Links- Dallas, TX 4/9/2022- The Southgate House Revival- Newport, KY 4/10/2022- Cobra Lounge- Chicago, IL 4/12/2022- Horseshoe Tavern- Toronto, ON 4/13/2022- Brass Monkey- Ottawa, ON 4/14/2022- Bar Le Ritz PDB- Montreal, QC 4/16/2022- Middle East Upstairs- Cambridge, MA 4/14/2022- Desertfest NYC- New York, NY 4/21/2022- Welcome to Rockville- Daytona Beach, FL Review/Photo By: Amy Breaux On February 22nd, Sidney Bird released her new single and music video ‘Brooklyn Baby’. Her previous track ‘Renaissance Man’ received a lot of praise and success on TikTok, making her fans eager for more, and Sidney Bird delivered!
Sidney Bird was born and raised in Arizona but is now making a name for herself in New York City. She holds her own in the western pop scene, alongside artists like Kacey Musgraves and Leon Bridges. While Bird is working with producers in Brooklyn, she says to feel a strong creative impulse when home in Arizona and writing all of her songs there. ‘Brooklyn Baby’ came out February 22nd and Sidney was super excited to share it: ‘I wrote Brooklyn Baby a couple days after moving to New York. I felt so grown up in my new apartment, but part of me also felt super scared of how ‘old’ I was getting. I sat down with my guitar and wrote this song; it’s about self-reflection and growing up’. It’s safe to say that Sidney Bird got the message across very well, not just through her lyrics but through the melody as well. When listening to it, it builds up a certain feeling in your chest, almost nostalgic but also wary of what is to come. But it’s nothing to be scared of, as Bird says in the single “we’ve all been there”. It’s comfort and relatable feelings put together in one song, it’s like a fluffy blanket on a cold day. Sidney Bird is a remarkable artist and with every release she proves just how strong her songwriting skills and vocals really are. With her dream-like vocals in the single, Sidney shares her own insights about her life and her journey to where she is now. The feeling of having difficulties with being able to accept that you are growing up and life is changing really shines through with the sweet vocals and the strong lyrics. All in all, Sidney Bird is a very strong vocalist and writer and she has proved it once again. She is an artist to keep your eyes on. Watch the music video for ‘Brooklyn Baby’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OySp3pgI7J4 Stream ‘Brooklyn Baby’ here: https://open.spotify.com/album/4bj7ZVLqm3in1HyrlOHw30?si=7Rla9LRpT2apBRAeip1Dew Keep up with Sidney Bird: Website: https://sidneybird.com Twitter: https://sidneybird.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidneybirdmusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidneybirdmusic/ Review by: Anissa Steijns Photo by: Benjamin Lieber Beartooth and Below Tour Part 2 made its way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin March 27th at The Rave/Eagles Ballroom on a chill but sunny day. With lines wrapped around the building to the parking lot, fans were anxious to get inside for some warmth. Line up featured seasoned opener bands; ERRA, The Devil Wears Prada, Silverstein. It was apparent that their were fans for each band in attendance which shows how big each band is in their own right, it could have been anyone's headliner.
ERRA started off the night to warm up the fans who just came in from the cold. It was easy to see that the crowd fed off their energy and easily got them warmed up. Up next was Milwaukee’s own Mike Hranica and The Devil Wears Prada. At this point it was evident that The Rave/Eagles Ballroom was a lot more packed in. Even more warmed up, the crowd decided to get the party started and created the nights first mosh pit. Silverstein was up next and kicked off the night with a track off their upcoming album "Misery Made Me.” Having been my first Silverstein show, it’s safe to say they did not disappoint. They bring just as much energy and passion in their shows as they do in their albums. Finally, the main event… BEARTOOTH! Once the curtain dropped and the confetti canons went off, it was on. The crowd was rowdier than ever and crowd surfers came in waves, one after the other. It's safe to say, that everyone in attendance got their moneys worth. Review/Photo By: Connor Hannan Tonight's gig saw the long awaited rescheduled show from Creeper take place. A queue of concert goers could be seen lining up outside the venue prior to doors, the eager fans of the band lining up to secure the barricade spots. You could almost feel the excitement radiating off the fans as they flooded into the venue and the stage was in sight. You could just tell we were in for an unforgettable night.
The first band I saw this evening was Glasgow born Vukovi. The three piece arrived on stage to a stable reaction from the crowd, there seemed to be many attendees in the audience who had attended dates previously so knew what to expect but for the rest of us; we were in for a treat. Their contagious energy was enticing from the get-go with frontwoman Janine bouncing about the stage, spurring the crowd on with her. Their catchy songs paired with their likeable stage antics made for an easy viewing. As their set progressed the crowd could be seen bouncing and singing along with the band and the cheers were persistent as they exited the stage. Next it was time for the main event; Creeper. A single black sheet was assembled in front of the stage to disguise their setup prior to the band's entrance, only adding to the truly impressive stage production this band had to offer. The band then appeared one by one behind the enclosure to screams from the crowd as they became aware the show was about to begin. As soon as the curtain dropped the energy from both the crowd and the band skyrocketed, the energy levels bounced off each other beautifully. As the band ploughed through the setlist containing fan favourites from both studio albums; Eternity in Your Arms and Sex, Death and the Infinite Void and the recent EP American Noir. There was truly a track in there for everyone. The setlist was so well curated to match up with the impressive stage production, it truly made viewing an experience. Creeper’s ability to tell a story throughout their live show is an experience in itself, pairing that with the sheer talent and adoration of the crowd attending; a Creeper show is truly one of a kind! The setlist featured songs both old and new ensuring there was never a moment to stand still within their audience space. Even the slower ballads had the crowd singing in unison and swaying as one. A key moment for me was during misery the crowd can be heard singing louder than the band at an interlude in the song which left the band speechless to just how loud and in unison the audience were singing back to them. It was truly beautiful. The set from start to finish was a work of art, the band curated a perfect setlist to match their impressive stage production which took the viewers on a journey without leaving the room. If you get the chance to see this band; TAKE IT! They will not disappoint! Catch them playing a show near you soon! Review/Photo By: Kirsty Fox The Kentucky crowd cheered in their seats as the opening act, Sad Night Dynamite (SND), came out to perform. The stage had a giant corrupted computer screen with the opening acts symbol on it. SND brought a mad different sound/energy to the crowd and everyone was vibing out. Their sound is moody, electric, and chaotic, it almost sounds like you're stepping into another dimension and I enjoyed it. When the duo closed the set out with their song Krunk, the crowd went crazy and everyone was bobbing their heads throughout the aisles.
After about 30 min, the lights went dim and the giant computer screen used on the SND set changed into rainbow colors and had the headlining act, Glass Animals, spelled out in giant 8-bit letters. As the crowd yelled in excitement, the brightly lit set was just drenched in bright neon colors and it even included some neon signs, a neon basketball rim, and a diving board. The set resembled a hotel pool parking lot and looked like a fever dream. Not long after all the neon lights came on, all the members from Glass Animals came out and lead singer, Dave Bayley, started vibing and dancing to their song Life Itself on the diving board that floated over the front of the crowd. Everyone stood up, cheered, and danced throughout the aisles as the band performed with the neon lights and visuals changed behind them. Ultimately, both Glass Animals and Sad Night Dynamite put on dream-like performances both sonically and visually. While both had completely different vibes in their sounds, the audience was glued to the stage and was put in a trance to the fever dream they put on display. Review/Photo By: William Smith The Band Camino took to The Fillmore stage in Minneapolis on Saturday, March 26th to play a sold out show to a very thrilled crowd. This was the band's fourth show of “The Tour Camino” and also their fourth show played in 4 days! Despite a busy start to their United States tour they, as well as openers Hastings and Flor, still brought the energy and kept the crowd engaged.
Hastings opened the show with his crowd capturing song “Chapstick.” After a few songs the crowd knew that Hastings would be an artist that they would be following from now on! Flor hit the stage next to play a full set of their intoxicating songs to a very welcoming crowd. Both opening acts left the crowd energized and wanting to hear more. You could feel the energy of the room growing as the headlining set approached. The Band Camino opened their set with “Know It All”, a popular track from their 2021 self-titled album. At the start of the following song, “Roses,” vocalist and guitarist Spencer Stewart was handed a bouquet of the flower that he grabbed from the crowd in order to set one on his bandmate Jeffery Jordan’s keyboard where it remained for a majority of the show. The rest of their 19 song set was filled with new and old tracks from all across their discography. At the end of the night, a chant grew across the crowd yelling out the name of the song to come, the band finished out their show with the hit “Daphne Blue.” This is just the beginning of “The Tour Camino” so make sure you get your tickets to an upcoming show in your nearest city to check out your new favorite bands! You can view a list of dates still to come below but don’t wait to get your tickets! Many dates on this tour are sold out or close to it! March 31 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre April 1 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox Sodo April 3 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom April 5 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom April 6 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst April 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo April 9 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory April 10 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre April 12 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live April 14 – Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum April 15 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at Moody Theatre April 17 – Birmingham, AL @ Avondale Brewing Co April 19 – Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live April 21 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore April 22 – Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz April 23 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern April 24 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern April 26 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore April 27 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 April 29 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues April 30 – Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall ^with flor & Hastings May 21 – Gulf Shores, AL @ Hangout Music Festival June 2 – Tulsa, OK @ Cains Ballroom June 3 – Fayetteville, AL @ JJ’s Live June 4 – Kansas City, MO @ The Truman June 5 – Omaha, NE @ The Admiral June 7 – Chesterfield, MO @ The Factory June 8 – Newport, KY @ PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION June 10 – Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Hall June 11 – Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom June 12 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall June 14 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre June 16 – Wallingford, CT @ The Dome at Toyota Presents Oakdale June 17 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom June 18 – Richmond , VA @ The National June 19 – Norfolk, VA @ Norva Theater June 21 – Cleveland , OH @ Agora Ballroom June 23 – Columbus, OH @ KEMBA! Live – Indoor Music Hall June 24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE ^with renforshort & Games We Play Review/Photo By: Aly Goelzer (@alygoelart) There’s nothing like seeing one of your favorite bands perform live. Mayday Parade brought their 11th anniversary tour for their self-titled album to Pittsburgh’s Stage AE. Playing their self-titled cover to cover they opened with songs ‘Oh Well, Oh Well’, ‘No Heroes Allowed’ and ‘When You See My Friends’ they really got the show going. I’ve been to plenty of Mayday Parade shows and they never disappoint, the crowd matches the bands energy so well. Singing my heart out like it’s high school all over again. They continued with ‘A Shot Across the Bow’, ‘I’d Rather Make Mistakes Than Nothing at All’ and finished with ‘Happy Endings Are Stories That Haven't Ended Yet’ before leaving the stage. But we all know the night couldn’t end there. Mayday Parade came back out to finish the night with a six song encore! They started off with ‘Kids Of Summer’ and ‘Golden Days’ off their 2021 album ‘What It Means to Fall Apart’ then you know they had to close out the show with some absolute bangers playing crowd favorites like ‘Miserable at Best’, ‘Piece of Your Heart’ and ‘Jersey’. Of course who could resist crowd surfing to ‘Jamie All Over’, being the last song of the night it was non-stop crowd surfing. The room was full of so much emotion and cheer that it couldn’t be anything less than a killer set. Mayday Parade is definitely an emotion and it’s one I'd like to feel forever!
Review/Photo By: Cheyenne Simmons Check Out The Photos Here!Euphoric and chill vibes beamed throughout the crowd in Columbus the other night as singer/songwriters (Clairo, Arlo Parks) performed. The opening act, Arlo Parks, provided some relaxing and positive energy to the stage as she sang in the most melodic and soothing voices I’ve heard in a while. Her voice just shimmered like diamonds as the crowd stood and listened to her. After her set ended, Clairo was up next and she did not disappoint. As soon as she came out and sat down to play her song, Bambi, on the piano, she instantly got the crowd’s attention. Everyone had their eyes glued to the stage and just stood there listening to her dreamy and angelic voice. The band that played with Clairo was just vibing, and matched her mellow energy. Overall, Arlo Parks and Clairo commanded the stage with their sweet soothing voices. Their performance was nothing short of euphoric, with everyone listening to them with rapture.
Photos/Review by: William Smith Fans of horror-infused metalcore have a new band to obsess over. Hailing from Los Angeles, Dead Things is the latest heavy unit to keep an eye out for, with their penchant for composing songs with an intensely dramatic, horror flair. The band consists of frontman Derek Dillon — co-owner of Kleaver Klothing with Spencer Charnas (Ice Nine Kills) — guitarist/vocalist Eric Wexler, and drummer Joey Sullivan.
Crafting their latest single “Mouth Sewn Shut” was a collaborative effort, which involved Randy Pasqueralla of Pasqueralla Recordings and Dan Sugarman of Ice Nine Kills. Wexler provided a statement about bringing this killer track to life: “That was some of the most fun I've ever had writing a song. We had the goal of breaking away from common metal tropes, but still wanted to keep to the traditions that made us gravitate to the genre since we were young. "Mouth Sewn Shut" is a melodic and high octane journey seething with disparate undertones." The track is packed with vivacious energy, catchy hooks, and surging breakdowns. The single’s accompanying music video complements the band’s strong horror elements as it opens with a breaking news announcement on television regarding a new street drug called “thread.” The headline reads, “DRUG FUELED MURDER: THREAD USE AT ALL TIME HIGH.” The reporter relays the message to the public about this potential threat, stating that “people are melting and injecting the new street drug ‘thread’ at epidemic levels. This drug is revealing a side effect that is not for the faint of heart… those taking this new drug are stricken with homicidal tendencies.” The chaotic aftermath of ‘thread’ unravels in a grungy motel room setting, as flashes of deep red and blue light wash over the band members and their dynamic performance. Check out the video for “Mouth Sewn Shut” here: https://youtu.be/OaUphxynZz0 Fans can expect more new material on the horizon, as well as plans for an upcoming tour this fall. The band is also in the process of planning a full-length record in the near future, so be sure to stay tuned for more Dead Things content! You can keep up with Dead Things on their social platforms below: https://instagram.com/deadthingsmusic https://youtube.com/c/DeadThings Review By: Bri Rodriguez Alt-rock band QU!ET talks about heartbreak in a social media driven world in ‘There’s No Escape’3/15/2022 Whoever loves driving away or jamming out to some music while letting out all their emotions and frustrations is at the right address by QU!ET’s new single “There’s No Escape”. The song starts out with a calming melody and a raw and sultry voice and the tone of voice is immediately clear. It’s not just a song to rock out to but it has a clear message.
“Double Time, catch everything she’ll post / Take it all in, seven deadly words for you / I am the devil.” The world we live in now is mainly driven by social media and has minimal privacy. Dealing with a heartbreak in this age can be more than just difficult when every post drags you back to that miserable place or keeps making you see just how well they might be doing. With the sound that has been produced in this song, I would group it into the ‘Empowering break up songs’ list, it’s not just a sad song but it’s a message that it’s okay to miss someone even when you actually don’t want to. They admit that there’s no escaping someone without actually blocking them and that it’s hard. Most people I know will be able to relate to this in at least some way. The vocals are stable throughout the song and it gives a calming vibe, bringing forward the reassurance that listeners might need. The single is accompanied by a wonderful guitar solo, that will either keep you on your feet or have you rocking on alongside the band. When the outro comes along, it gives the perfect opportunity to come down from the high of the song and think about what was really said in it, perhaps it’s a perfect time to reevaluate who you might not want to see any posts of anymore. About “There’s No Escape” QU!ET states: There’s No Escape is based on an experience of dealing with a break up in a social media driven world. The world is too small, when the other party says one thing to someone, it can create misconceptions, so you have a tough time knowing if the people in your life are still on your side. And even though you’re not physically seeing this person anymore, they’ll be everywhere you look online unless you block them. You don’t want to miss them, but every post you see pulls you back to a place of misery. QU!ET was first put together in 2016 by Michael Scarabino, Whiskey Moonshine, and Juliana Pitto. Ever since their debut single release of “Fever Dream” back in 2019, the band has been praised for their impressive musicality and refreshing creativity. Since then, the band has put out several other singles that have landed them on the Alternative Press Discover Playlist along with features in several other publications. QU!ET combines each of their unique musical perspectives to craft their sound, and share lead vocal duties to express themselves personally. The progressive trio have rapidly become known on the Long Island music scene for their passionately energic live performances. Over the years, they’ve performed alongside punk powerhouses such as Dirty Heads, The Front Bottoms, and Less Than Jake. Listen to “There’s No Escape” here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0KU8poRsW0NwLyYtlidRF2?si=e7c8ba9427a14ccb Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/theres-no-escape/1607708985?i=1607708986 Youtube: https://youtu.be/sKrrsG4WDLY Make sure to stay up to date with QU!ET: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bandofquiet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bandofquiet/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bandofquiet YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUBJK7QJn-XxmLvJs11LDkQ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bandofquiet Review by: Anissa Steijns The Sweet are celebrating over 50 years of hell raising and chart hits and couldn't have chosen a better place to tour than the UK, but I might be a bit biased there. The band members might have changed over the years but the one member that remains strong is Andy Scott who plays guitar and vocals. Paul Manzi is the lead singer, Lee Small the bassist with Bruce Bisland on drums. This makes up the band.
It was a night for old rock dad music as men, women and teenagers they took along with them, gathered in The Garage. Paul Manzi, lead singer, opened up the night with some jokes about ages which had the room warm up to the show with some laughter. After thanking everyone for turning up despite the conditions of the world and quickly started their first song - "Action" which was followed by "New York Groove" and a favorite of mine, "Hellraiser". They continued to play songs from past albums while joking with the crowd in between songs. The crowd themselves were one of the nicest I have been around. Despite the room being packed to the brim with fans who were excited to listen to the music and rock around, as I moved around to photograph the band they all let me push to the front to be able to get front row shots after leaving the pit, they could not have been nicer which made the night even better. Review/Photo By: Tyler Sams Why does it always feel like I am reporting that it was another rainy day whenever writing a review for a gig in Glasgow, Scotland? Probably because the rain is a constant thing here in Scotland. Anyways, as you might have grasped, it was a miserable night but it didn't deter anyone from attending the SWG3 to see Palace last Thursday night. It was my first show this year since restrictions were opened again. It was good to get back into the familiar atmosphere and with people who enjoy live music as much as I do. Before I knew it, the room was packed to the brim (or as full as restrictions would allow) and it was soon time for the main act to arrive.
The lights dimmed and the crowd let out an almighty scream when Palace strode on stage and there was no delay in starting their night with a slow start but quickly building it up so that the crowd were in full swing. They played songs from their most recent album and some older ones, every one being sung along by the fans. Truly a great night and an even better feeling to be back with live music, let's hope that it is here to stay! Review/Photo By: Tyler Sams For once, it wasn't raining tonight when fans turned up to see KingKing play at the 02 Academy Glasgow tonight. No lining up outside in the pouring rain, just the freezing cold. Weather does not deter us Scottish folk though. Make sure you've got proof of vaccination or lft testing though or they'll turn you around. If that's the only way we can attend live events then it is a small price to pay.
Hustled in and crowded into the venue, the fans waited eagerly for KingKing to arrive. KingKing is a British Blues Rock band formed in 2008 with 5 current members. The lead singer/guitarist Alan Nimmo burst onto stage sporting a bright colored tartan kilt, true to his Scottish roots and the crowd loved it, screaming the moment they saw it. They continued to play songs from their albums and the energy in the room was electric. It was my first time hearing them live and there was no disappointment there, there is nothing like a good old fashioned live rock band. What is your favorite genre to listen to live? Review/Photo By: Tyler Sams The show started with the line wrapped around three corners of the block and excitement in the air. This was my first concert of 2022 and it did not disappoint. I was very reminiscent as my first ever concert I photographed last year was also The Backseat Lovers, but at Bowery Ballroom. Last night’s show was at Webster Hall, and it was so great to see the growth of this band over just a few months. A larger venue, a merch line that lasted about 40 minutes, and still the loudest, most dedicated fanbase I’ve experienced at a show.
When the lights dimmed as The Backseat Lovers took the stage, I could barely keep my camera steady because the ground was shaking. We all sang along to our favorites (“Kilby Girl” of course), and I got to hear my favorite guitar riff in “Pool House”. At one point, lead singer Joshua Harmon even jumped off the stage, over the barricade, and into the crowd with his guitar. It was a night that no one wanted to end. Then there was the inevitable The Backseat Lovers version of an encore: “Sinking Ship! Sinking Ship! Sinking Ship!” And so, they came back for one more song that everyone of course sings along to, and we all felt like we belonged in that moment. Review/Photo By: Tharynn Hook After nearly 8 years without touring, Foxy Shazam finally has taken to the stage. The Hidden Treasure Tour made a stop at the Concord Music Hall in Chicago this past Saturday, February 19th. Fans quickly filled the venue as they seemed eager to finally catch Foxy Shazam's performance after so many years.
Robert Finley, a 68 year old blues singer from Louisiana took the stage first, despite age and lack of sight, he put on a captivating performance. His soulful vocals and songs about life in the south along with his youthful dancing, captivated the crowd early on. Mr. Finley stole some hearts and definitely gained some fans throughout his set. Only having one opener, Foxy Shazam was finally performing in Chicago. Foxy opened their set with "Unstoppable", which got the crowd instantly dancing, jumping, screaming, and singing along. Foxy Shazam's electrifying stage antics are unmatched, from keyboard player, Sky White, crowd surfing with his instrument, to Alex Nauth flying around the stage when he's not playing his trumpet, to Eric Nally's iconic mic stand moves, and the rest of the guys running all over the stage, the band is not a bore. Some notable songs that night were "Holy Touch", "Burn", "Ghost Animals", "The Rocketeer", and their final encore song "The Only Way to my Heart..." Despite the band playing a set of 19 songs total, the crowd stayed at the venue, hoping that somehow Foxy Shazam would come back for more, even while the stagehands broke down the drums and the rest of the stage set up. Foxy Shazam is back, and better than ever. Review/Photo By: Heriberto Gallegos California native rapper/singer, Bryce Vine along with special guest performers, Abhi The Nomad and Gianni & Kyle brought hella vibrancy to their show this past Wednesday night. The entire set took place in a church-like venue and with the space being somewhat small, this brought the crowd closer to the stage, which enabled the artists to be able to interact with them more. Upcoming rapper, Abhi the Nomad brought a nice flow and sound to the stage as he moved throughout the stage.
The Maryland rap duo, Gianni & Kyle, brought some real energy to the crowd as they went through their set. The crowd began to vibe with performers, even more, when they began taking the phones from people in the front of the crowd and snapping selfies of the wild crowd behind them. The guitarists/band members also provided some dope electrifying music that also amplified the artist’s performances. When headlining performer, Bryce Vine, entered the stage, the crowd energy shifted from vibing to wilding. His stage presence vibrated throughout the entire venue as everybody danced along to his set. Overall, while the setting may have been a little smaller than other typical concert venues, it managed to amplify the experience with performances even more, and each performer put on one hell of a show. Review/Photo By: William Smith Cleveland singer-songwriter Trevor Stout initially got his start in music playing open mic nights before forming the indie band shelter pup. In 2020, the band released two singles entitled “(It’s) Your Funeral” and “Ghosts in the Graveyard” – thought-provoking tracks which tackle serious subject matter of idealized isolation and mortality. Shelter pup has now released Pack Your Bags, a five-track EP that’s accompanied by a short film. These visuals aid in communicating the overall message of the collective songs: “live life to the fullest and live wholly in the moment.”
Shelter pup’s previous works possess a calmly serene, emo sound, filled with introspective lyricism. However, this new material signifies the band’s growth and maturity, featuring a raw acoustic sound, catchy hooks, and contemplative lyrics. The band’s fervent passion for their craft shimmers and glistens as brilliantly as ever in this new collection. Stout gave a statement to BSP about the process of creating this EP. He shared his favorite song from the collection and even a fun fact about one of the songs: “These songs are close to my heart & are the truest representation of a few things I’ve learned or come to terms with during the first few years out on my own as an independent human. Being wholly in the moment in order to live, learn, and grow. A living time capsule of growth & love in its different forms. Pack Your Bags is meant to have a message of difficult, but positive change. I finished and scrapped songs for this thing like six times over the course of two and a half years until finally settling with these ones. They feel the most honest, lyrically & sonically, while trying to decide what direction to take this project. It feels more matured and like a more focused vibe of the most recent two songs that were released last year. This entire thing is three years in the making and I am so so excited to have it out into the world. Every facet of this release fills my heart with joy. My favorite song from this has got to be ‘Flower Bones.’ It was the first song of this bunch that I had written. I didn't even write it thinking it would be a part of the EP. The idea for it popped into my head one night to make a smooth croon kinda song & I just went with it. I was gonna keep it just as a fun song that I did for myself as a measure of my musical growth, but ended up feeling really confident about it & connected with it so much that I couldn't imagine keeping it hidden. Slide guitar is one of my weaknesses. It makes me swoon every time. Fun fact – one of my favorite shows is Cowboy Bebop, so I did a little nod to that in the last chorus lyrics of "Overcast" as well as some scenes throughout the short film. It's also completely coincidental that this is being released the same day as the live action Netflix show. I made the release date for this months ago. How crazy is that??” The accompanying Pack Your Bags short film is a multi-piece music video that connects as a cohesive unit; the film starkly contrasts the heavier topics that are addressed lyrically throughout the tracks. The visuals are a looping cycle of the ‘end of summer’ vibes and being around close friends. While these songs all hold significant meaning to Stout, each track potentially possesses different meanings to different people through their own individual lens. The singer-songwriter took time to break down the EP track-by-track: "Overcast" talks about depression & the self sabotage that accompanies it. Confronting that fear while fully knowing that it's something that'll never go away & may or may not become more manageable with time. "Hey, Friend" is about when someone you were once very close with kind of fades out of your life without catalyst or reason, but the natural growing apart & the internalized rejection followed by acceptance that comes with that experience. Cheering them on from a distance and still holding them in a special place in your heart. "A New Way to Breathe" touches a little bit again on depression, but with a clearer mind and less urgency. The self sabotage and doubt in wanting to create a better reality for myself by identifying detrimental thought patterns, then pushing past those old behaviors through manifestation and proper coping mechanisms. "Sunbleached" speaks of true platonic love shared with a friend who is dealing with their own struggles. Understanding that they don't always want instant solutions given to their problems, but sometimes just a shoulder to lean on while they learn along the way. Having that open communication with the ability to be honest with each other about those kinds of things. "Flower Bones" is about healthy romantic love that comes from wanting to lift each other up. Thriving on the confidence that is cultivated through independence, respect, unending honesty, and communication. Loving to see the other person happy doing whatever they're passionate about. Free of jealousy and accepting every inch. Stout had a few special acknowledgements he wanted to make regarding the wonderful individuals who helped him bring this ambitious project to life: “I'm thankful to Dan & Geno of In Bloom Productions for filming this. They worked incredibly hard. Words fail to explain how proud I am of them. It took almost 6 months between filming & editing. They absolutely killed it. They brought this vision to life and blew past my expectations of what I thought this was going to become. They always have a way of taking ideas and making them flourish. Big shout out to my close friend Steve Perrino for always making magic happen in the studio with recording, mixing, and producing. Making the songs sound the best they possibly can and never cutting any corners. Last, but not least, I am so grateful for Tori, Zak, and Avery. They took time out of their lives to help make a dream I had come true. They are my pals & I love them bunches. I'm so glad they could be a part of this & it's so sappy, but I will always watch this with a full heart. It truly is a time capsule for us outside of any meaning that I have attached to the film with the songs & with "shelter pup,” They are wonderful humans and I continue to cherish my time with them.” Pack Your Bags Tracklisting: 01 Overcast 02 Hey, Friend 03 A New Way To Breathe 04 Sunbleached 05 Flower Bones Check out the Pack Your Bags short film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyrkY4BN9SY Connect with shelter pup. on their social media platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelterpupmusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisshelterpup/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/shelterpupcle Bandcamp: https://shelterpup.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2h4vIAEty2yGhRHMnSjNkM Review by: Bri Rodriguez California indie dream weavers ASHRR are starting the new year with spellbinding reverie via a new single "Sunshine Low," which made its debut this week on LA's influential radio station KCRW 89.9FM. With its insatiable Summer vibes, doused in the gauzy washed-out chill of what it might be like for a hyper-real fantasy to become reality, "Sunshine Low" evokes the mellow feeling of holding on to an almost-perfect moment with a significant other and never wanting to let go; “I wanna stay on the other side of grey / and swim under the stars in the sunlight.” Casting its rays through a cloudy filter it marks a celestial turning point for the band whilst paving the way for plenty more to come.
Commenting on "Sunshine Low," multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Josh Charles says: “Certainly there are highs and lows that happen to us all. Being able to appreciate the sunshine is so important because there are times when it’s not there so it is only natural to really want to celebrate it when it appears.” “Sunshine Low” has very intoxicating but also sweet and involving harmonies, leaving behind a nice warm feeling even after the song has finished. It’s breezy and it brings the bit of summer we all need during these cold months. This single isn’t just a hypnotic dream-like indie dance track that showcases their raw talent for songwriting, but it also shines a light on a new direction for the band for which I am very excited. This quickly rising LA Indie-rock band is something you would not want to miss out on. Be sure to add “Sunshine Low” to your playlists: https://open.spotify.com/track/1V2lgBkrXbipwoHjwK6je2?si=f8d02bb44e8e4879 Keep up with ASHRR here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashrrmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashrrmusic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashrrmusic/ Website: https://ashrrmusic.com/ Review By: Anissa Steijns American singer/songwriter, Remi Wolf, brought some rapid energy to her sold-out concert in Columbus. She filled the crowd with nothing but fun, funny, and hella stamina as she started the performance with her song “Liquor Store”. The sound of the packed crowd beamed throughout the venue as she continued to perform. The whole time I just felt like it was a longtime friend out there performing for everyone and I just loved the energy/vibes she exuded to everyone out in the crowd.
Review/Photo By: William Smith “I don’t think I’m asking for too much..”
With the release of her hybrid “Kiss In The Rain” and haunting “Without You,” alternative artist Ali Slater has already locked-in a mesmerizing debut. Since the young age of four years old, she has exhibited her musical prowess with creative pursuits in singing, piano, and songwriting. After graduating from Tulane University with a BA in Music, she finally set her sights on fulfilling her dreams of a career in music. Slater’s musical influences include Against The Current, Avril Lavigne, Paramore, Conquer Divide, and Maggie Lindemann. The New York based singer/songwriter has now dropped an infectious anti-Valentine’s Day anthem titled “Over It.” The track is a collaborative effort with a special guest feature from Jacky Vincent (ex-Falling In Reverse). Slater gave a statement regarding the meaning behind the anti-Valentine’s day single: “This song is for the hopeless romantics who are searching for love and finding it incredibly difficult to do so in the current dating climate. To say that I'm over dating, is an understatement, especially since I've only dated straight men. It really is so hard and exhausting to make real connections in a time when casual sex/hook up culture has become the norm and chivalry seems to be disappearing. All love to the people who are enjoying themselves, having fun, and making connections this way, but to everyone who's riding the dating struggle bus with me, just know that you're not alone and men are dumb.” Stylistically, Slater’s music is an immaculate fusion of rock, metal, and pop that casts its hypnotic hex and mystifies the listener. The firecracker vocalist showcases her dynamic vocal range and versatility, complemented by captivating, pop-punk guitar riffs, percussion, and an empowering message of strength and independence. In this electrifying single, Slater narrates her frustrations within the chorus and announces her decision to cut the cord of this failing love connection. It’s over. Done. Crashed and burned, with no hope of resuscitation. “I don’t wanna have to miss you // And I don’t wanna beg to kiss you… // I’m so damn over it.”. So, if you happen to find yourself dealing with the same struggles of finding a real love connection and you’re a party of one this Valentine’s Day, just say fuck it. Rest in the fact that you’re not alone. Affirm your value: You are enough. You don’t need anyone else’s validation to know your worth. Take some free time to focus on yourself and do the things you enjoy. Celebrate with a Galentine’s Day and make plans to hang out with your closest girlfriends. Cuddle up with your fur babies. Stock up on some movies and junk food and splurge a bit. You deserve it! And be sure to crank up the liberating “Over It” and sing along to your heart’s content. Keep an eye out for Ali Slater because she’s conjuring up more emo magic in her black cauldron that will soon be released into the stratospheres to rock the world. Listen to “Over It” Check out the links below to follow Ali Slater and keep up with her journey: Spotify Apple Music YouTube Review By: Bri Rodriguez Check out the gallery here!DMV rap native, Wale, along with special guest rappers, Guapdad 4000 and Cam Wallace, brought some real dope energy to Friday night's show in Cincinnati.
The show opened up with rising rapper, Cam Wallace. The insanely talented Houston native gave a hype performance to the crowd as he spat some real nice bars that everyone seemed to vibe with throughout his set. The next artist that followed, Guapdad 4000, kept that same energy as he performed songs from his recent album, 1176, and also his collaborative songs made with the Dreamville team (“Wells Fargo”) and Grammy winning artist, Thundercat (“Dragonball Durag Remix”). His energy radiated throughout as he interacted with the crowd. As soon as fellow photographer, Seth Brown, reached to give the Oakland rapper a handshake, Guap just started getting real hype and was shaking his hand wildly as they both jumped up and down to one of his songs. When headlining act Wale finally came out, he sat and began chilling on a sofa surrounded by flowers. The crowd went crazy. He then began performing songs from his recent album, Florian II. As soon as he performed two of his hit singles (“Lotus Flower Bomb”) and (“The Need To Know”), everyone went wild and word for word, began singing/spitting every lyric from both of the classic hits. All in all, everyone gave some mad dope performances and I, along with the crowd, had a good time and would definitely recommend that everyone listen to their recent projects. Coverage by William Smith It was fitting that it was a rainy Friday night, as The Umbrellas, opened up the show at Cobra Lounge to an already pretty packed room. The chill indie pop sounds of the band had the crowd dancing from the start. While a couple of members exclaimed their gratitude for being able to be on tour and perform live, they also really missed their cats and looked forward to getting home to them soon.
All female 3 piece punk/grunge band, Jigsaw Youth, performed next and brought the energy of a metal band. The hard hitting music, heavily inspired by NYC hardcore, was exactly what the crowd wanted as they started running around in a circle pit and they even pulled off a wall of death. Destroy Boys, a punk rock band from Sacramento, California, closed out the night. They provided a safe space in the pit for the women in attendance, explaining to the crowd that their next song to be played was for them to enjoy. They were equally outspoken when it came to police brutality and the oppression of people of color, as some of the members are. A couple of the songs that stood out were "I Threw Glass at my Friend's Eyes and now I'm on Probation" and "Sweet Tooth," from their newest album to which they had members from The Umbrellas and Jigsaw Youth come out on stage and dance the night away. Destroy Boys is a very high energy band with equally energetic fans, eager to jump around and scream out the lyrics, to which they seem to relate with on a very personal level. Review/Photo By: Heriberto Gallegos St. Petersburg went to church Saturday night to hear the preaching of punk legends Bad Religion.
War on Women opened the evening with a frenetic performance. Front person Shawna Potter makes you tired just watching her. Next up was favorites Alkaline Trio. They were definitely a crowd favorite with everyone singing along. But Bad Religion was what the people came to see and they definitely didn’t disappoint the sold out crowd. Review/Photo By: Amy Breaux |