You Me At Six @ Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL
You Me At Six with support from Machineheart & DREAMERS
Photos and review by Nina Tadic | March 2nd 2019
The first time I heard You Me at Six, I was in eighth grade, and they had just released Sinners Never Sleep, and it was on a loop on my iPod Classic. There was something a little… zestier?... about it than similar albums by their American counterparts, and I loved that it had an edge. There weren’t many bands putting out songs with guest vocals from heavy metal vocalists, but You Me At Six were. They’ve always been at the forefront of trying new things, and have never been afraid to test out a new sound. That hasn’t changed.
For their current tour, the band made a stop in Chicago at the Bottom Lounge on March 3, and the entire show was more than phenomenal. The night kicked off with support from Machineheart and DREAMERS, both of which were insane.
When the lights dimmed and Machineheart hit the stage, I knew I was in for a performance. The band has this dreamy, ethereal energy about them, and boy do they know how to groove. Vocalist Stevie Scott can croon and hit notes I couldn’t reach in my wildest dreams, and she does it with poise that is indescribable.
Following Machineheart, DREAMERS took the stage, and their fans clearly made it known. Before the lights even came up, the amount of shrieking and screaming in the crowd let everyone who hadn’t heard the band know that they were going to see a great performance - which we did. DREAMERS have mastered the art of carefree and lighthearted indie-pop, which can be funky and bubblegummy at the same time, and wonderful all around.
After looking at these openers, though they were different from one another in sound, and different from You Me at Six in sound, they fit well for the bill. They were both a great way to merge into You Me at Six’s set, especially since their sound has developed in a more groovy indie-rock direction.
This indie-rock style they’ve got going - it works. It works aesthetically- in the way they carry themselves, in the tones of light and backdrop they use for their performance, in vocalist Josh Franceschi’s witty remarks. They know how to walk the walk. They also know how to talk the talk. Playing a plethora of songs off of their most recent release, VI, the band was absolutely in their element. Guitarist Max Helyer did not stop moving and grooving for a second, while fellow guitarist Chris Miller and bassist Matt Barnes both managed to look poised and cool as they jammed from one song to the next. Drummer Dan Flint may have been farther back on the stage, but his presence was through the roof as he lead each song, especially more noticeably when they played a handful of older tunes off of Hold Me Down and Sinners Never Sleep, from their more “rowdy” days, you could say.
Regardless of what the band was playing, they were holding their own on stage. The entire crowd was so captivated by every moment, every flickering light, every step everyone made - all eyes were on them. Franceschi did make sure to apologize to the crowd for spending quite a few years without a Chicago performance, and made it up by playing oldies that everyone knew. Just because this crowd had grown up, and this band has grown up, doesn’t mean the memories weren’t still there, and it showed the entire night.
All Them Witches with Plague Vendor @ Zanzabar, Louisville, KY
Photos and words by Emily May | March 5th, 2019
Nashville rock band All Them Witches, who are currently touring in support of their latest album ATW, performed recently in Louisville, KY. Having amassed a loyal following over the past 7 years, the band brought a lot of fans out on a Tuesday night, performing to a packed house. Drummer Robby Staebler, vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Charles Michael Parks Jr. and guitarist Ben McLeod are all incredible musicians, showcasing their respective talents throughout the evening. Each member showcased their talents through solos and long instrumental segments during their set, which kept the crowd upbeat and in high spirits. Although Parks sang on many of the songs, the band jammed for much of their set, energizing the crowd and eliciting a lot of cheering and applause, with many of the fans staring on with giddiness and excitement. Parks chatted a bit with the crowd throughout the evening but kept talking to a minimum during the band's 90 minute set, with the band focusing mostly on their playing. With moody and ambient lighting, great music and a upbeat, electric energy throughout the venue, it was a really amazing set.
All Them Witches is currently touring with LA rock band Plague Vendor. Part punk rock, part rock and roll and 100% fun, Plague Vendor was the epitome of a good time on stage. Singer Brandon Blaine was a powerhouse on stage. Dancing and engaging the crowd for the band's entire set, he often stood at the edge of the stage, holding his mic stand into the crowd to lead them in sing-alongs and got into the crowd to sing amongst the audience members. They got the crowd dancing and the energy flowing, ensuring that everyone was ready for All Them Witches. It was a really great night of music.
The Aces with Joan @ Union Stage, Washington DC
The Aces performed their first sold out headlining show to a diverse and upbeat crowd at Union Stage in Washington DC.
Photos courtesy of Gabby Ames | February 26th, 2019
Coin with Tessa Violet @ 9:30 Club, Washington DC
Photos courtesy of Gabby Ames | February 8th, 2019
Bring Me The Horizon with Thrice & Fever 333 @ CFE Arena, Orlando, Florida
Photos courtesy of Cortney Lesovoy | January 25, 2019
Danny Michel @ West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Photos & review courtesy of Jenny Ramone Photo | Feb 08 2019
Eclectic Canadian songwriter Danny Michel stopped by Winnipeg’s West End Cultural Centre on February 8, 2019, a frigid, frozen winter’s night. The show marked Michel’s 17th appearance at the venue as well as the 10 year anniversary of his “Live In Winnipeg” album, recorded at the WECC in 2009.
Though he was in town in support of “White & Gold”, Michel drew from his extensive discography through out his two sets. Accompanied on stage by only a red guitar emblazoned with “This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender” and a looping pedal, he played stripped down versions of crowd favorites “Feather, Fur and Fin”, “Click Click” and “Tennessee Tobacco”, encouraging the crowd to join in and sing along.
From the moment he walked on stage, Danny Michel held the crowd in the palm of his hand, telling the stories behind the songs, cracking jokes, accepting requests and interacting with the audience. Michel expressed how comfortable he feels playing in Winnipeg and it really shone through on this particular evening. Michel is an entertaining, engaging performer, able to carry a 2 hour show solo without there being a dull moment.
Danny Michel’s tour continues through Western Canada until mid-February before heading to the east coast in March.
Arkells @ Save on Foods Memorial Arena, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Photos courtesy of Leanne (Green) Yerex | Feb 03 2019
Madness @ The O2, London, UK
Photos courtesy of Gili Dailes | December 14 2018
British pop legends Madness played The O2 arena in London as part of their Sound of Madness tour. Playing all the fans favourites as well as some brand new tracks, Madness gave an impressive performance that reminded us why they’re in the list of the top selling UK groups of all time.