Noah Gundersen @ The Foundry - Philadelphia
October 1st 2023: Noah Gundersen @ The Foundry - Philadelphia, PA
Noah Gundersen - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
We celebrated the first night of October at Philadelphia’s The Foundry catching Noah Gundersen. Noah is currently touring in support of his seventh studio album If This Is The End. The album really shows a more reflective look at Gundersen’s career and, as he mentioned during his set, he wasn’t sure he still wanted to return to music after the pandemic. Noah has always been one of my favorite songwriters, and the setlist for this show really showcased that gift he has of hitting on some of the darker thoughts in life. The crowd was also super respectful (give or take an Eagles chant or two) and might go down in the books for one of the quietest shows I’ve been to at The Foundry.
Highly recommend showing up early for the show to catch Casey Dubie, her songwriting and live show really will give you an ethereal experience to start off the night.
Setlist
If This Is the End
Swim
Heavy Metals
The Sound
Haunted House
Round Here (Counting Crows cover)
Painted Blue
Atlantis
First Defeat
Moment Like This
Lover
Sleepless in Seattle
Headlights
Robin Williams
Better Days
Encore:
Cigarettes
Wild Horses
Thomas Headon @ The Ritz - Raleigh
September 28th, 2023: Half Alive, Thomas Headon @ The Ritz - Raleigh, NC
Thomas Headon - Photos Courtesy of: Chinaza Ajuonuma
Thomas Headon kicked off the show in Raleigh at The Ritz on September 28th with an explosive burst of energy that left the audience breathless. Jumping and dancing as he took the stage, he set the bar sky-high from the very start. But it wasn't just about the music; Thomas, in a playful mood, initiated a spontaneous "trivia time" during a short break. He handed out a crisp dollar bill to an unsuspecting fan who correctly guessed how many Bojangles locations could be found in the state of North Carolina, all while professing his newfound love for the southern fast-food chain.
With his drummer Josh hailing from North Carolina, the concert felt like a jubilant hometown reunion. Thomas didn't stop there; he brought the house down with two unexpected cover songs that had the crowd singing along. First, he transported us back to our Disney-channel-watching days with a soulful rendition of "The Best of Both Worlds" by Hannah Montana, and then he had us swaying to the infectious rhythm of Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." The night was a whirlwind of surprises, infectious energy, and unforgettable moments that left the audience buzzing with excitement long after the final notes had faded away.
Half Alive, the indie-rock band known for their unique visuals and energetic performances, did not disappoint. The set was an experience in itself, with a cool and ever-changing stage design that featured a giant sheet at the beginning, reminiscent of their recent music videos.
The sheet came down in the middle of "The Fall" to reveal leading man Josh Taylor dancing as his bandmates, drummer Brett Kramer and bassist J. Tyler Johnson kicked off the show. Josh Taylor's dancing was on full display throughout the night, lying on his back on the giant raised platform during "Yosemite," and launching into more interpretive dance during "I'll Stop" and "Conditions of a Punk," among others.
The show was broken up into "seasons," with mini set changes and a sheet with the name of each season projected on it. The dancers, as well as Taylor, were interpretive dancers, adding another layer of artistic expression to the show.
The show was not without its surprises, such as a corded phone that rang in the middle of the stage after "Call Back," which Taylor handed to an audience member dressed as Waldo to speak on, and the crew tearing down the black backdrop to reveal a white one for winter. There was also a beautiful use of autotune during "Hot Tea".
Taylor engaged with the crowd throughout the night, encouraging everyone to get low and jump up during "Back Around," and even launching into a Phil Collins cover of "Strangers Like Me." The band's hits were well-received, with the audience giving three-minute ovations after their medley, including hits like “ice cold”, “arrow”, and "Still Feel." The band ended the night by thanking the crowd for inviting them “into their living room” before playing their final two songs, "Conditions of a Punk" and "Creature." All in all, Half Alive delivered an unforgettable and visually stunning performance.
Neon Trees @ Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia
September 26th, 2023: Neon Trees @ Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Neon Trees - Photos Courtesy of: Mandy S.
The Favorite Daze tour started with openers Silent Rival (CA), and Laundry Day (NY). Ending with Neon Trees. I’ll be honest I had never heard of Silent Rival, but they left a mark on me with their performance that night. Sara (Vocalist) sounded amazing all night, and Jon (guitarist) ended up on the barricade. A member from Laundry Day actually came out and played drums while the drummer for Silent Rival played. All of which hyped up the crowd, warming them up for Laundry Day.
Along with not knowing of Silent Rival, I had not come across Laundry Day prior to the Favorite Daze Tour. Laundry day brought out a Lorenzo’s pizza box as a prop (if you’re a Philadelphia native you know the vibes). I was pleasantly surprised with their set and will be adding them to the rotation.
Neon Trees started off the night with “Versions of You: from their EP of the same name released in 2021. Tyler (lead vocalist) draped in a metallic Purple / Blue suit running from side stage to side stage. Proving the band is ‘Still Young’, and knows how to keep it ‘Moving in the Dark’.
Neon Trees controlled their crowd with their songs, and energy the entire night. Ending their show with ‘When the night is over’. They had three encore songs. Officially ending the night with fan favorite ‘Everybody Talks’. Yet another tour that is a must-see, their next stop is Detroit MI!
Misterwives @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia
September 16th, 2023: Misterwives @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA
Misterwives - Photos Courtesy of: Mandy S.
The night started off with opener Raffaella (check her out if you haven’t yet, you won't be disappointed). She had an amazing opening set that had the crowd locked in.
Misterwives started the night off with Out of Your Mind, which also happens to be the Opening song to their senior album (released July 14, 2023). Mandy (lead vocalist) was extremely active on stage and with the crowd. I believe at one point she was semi-in the crowd via the barricade. The band let us know that they had practiced synchronicity for the song ‘ End of My Rope’. The song mixed with the 6ft screens behind them showing lyrics/videos was extremely awesome to see live.
Mandy at one point got on a 6ft riser (she was on it earlier in the night as well) to sing Ultraviolet, the last song on their senior album. She had put a vest on with arrows alluding to the album’s cover. The night closed out with Bishopp Briggs, The ‘Baggage’ singer appeared on the riser with ‘Art of Survival' as her first song. I’ve never seen such an energetic artist on stage before. It was hard to keep track of what part of the stage she was on; she’s insanely good at what she does. She had told us (the crowd) that Her son was in the back (he’s on tour with her) and everyone cheered. Of course, Briggs couldn’t end the night without her iconic song ‘River’ from her album ‘Church of Scars’. I highly suggest checking out the Don’t Look Down tour if you’re one of the next stops.
The Band Camino @ The Met - Philadelphia
September 14th 2023: The Band Camino @ The Met - Philadelphia, PA
Spencer of The Band Camino - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
The Band Camino started right where they left off. In Spring 2022 the band ended their last tour in Philadelphia, only to kick off the first night of their latest tour back in Philly, but in a much bigger venue. The Band Camino kicked off their Screaming in The Dark Tour on September 14th. The very minimal stage design (embracing the darkness theme) gave me a throwback to when I used to go to glow-in-the-dark bowling in high school, adorned with backlights and glow paint, it was certainly something different…
This tour is in support of the band’s second studio album, The Dark. Another addition to TBC’s vast catalog of bops, a big step up from the first time we saw the band at Milkboy in 2019 where there were barely enough songs released to cover a whole hour set. Fans might be taken aback at first to notice neither Jeff nor Spencer has their signature keyboards on stage at the beginning of the set, but have no fear, the keyboards make their reappearance. About mid-set, the keyboard makes its appearance for an acoustic duo set from Jeff and Spencer that the screaming fan girls behind me claimed gave “major Eras vibes”.
The show was opened by the amazing Charlotte Sands and Bad Suns.
Local Natives @ The Riviera Theatre - Chicago
September 8th, 2023: Local Natives, Chartreuse @ The Riviera Theatre - Chicago, IL
Local Natives - Photos Courtesy of: Emily Nava
On Friday, September 8th, 2023, Local Natives brought their tour to The Riviera Theatre in Chicago, Illinois with UK opening act, Chartreuse. Local Natives is a Southern California-based band made up of Kelcey Ayer, Taylor Rice, Ryan Hahn, Matthew Frazier, and Nik Ewing. This tour follows the recent release of their fifth album, titled Time Will Wait For No One. It just so happens that this year also marks the 10-year anniversary of Local Natives' sophomore album, Hummingbird. To celebrate it, a small section of the setlist on this tour consisted of songs from that album.
In addition to performing songs from TWWFNO and Hummingbird, throughout the night, Local Natives played songs from all of their previous releases. They even played "Empty Mansions", a song from TWWFNO that they had never played live before. Unfortunately, shortly into their set, Local Natives ran into some technical difficulties but made the most of it by performing a beautiful acoustic interpretation of their song "Who Knows Who Cares" with the crowd while the issue was resolved.
One of the standout aspects of the concert was the Local Natives' constant crowd engagement. They didn't just perform; they connected with the audience on a personal level. Whether it was through stories in between songs, honoring a fan's song request, or simply making eye contact with fans in the crowd, Local Natives made everyone in the room feel like they were part of something special. Taylor Rice (vocals, guitar) even walked through the crowd while performing a newer song, "Featherweight" and crowd-surfed during "Sun Hands," from their debut album Gorilla Manor. It's a rare gift to be able to maintain such a deep connection with fans in a large venue like the Riviera Theatre, but Local Natives pulled it off effortlessly.
Despite the high energy and excitement, the concert also had its share of intimate moments. One of which occurred at the very beginning of the show when Taylor Rice, Kelcey Ayer, and Ryan Hahn gathered around one microphone and performed the title track on their newest album, showcasing their three-part harmonies, which have always been a standout feature of their music. The band showed their versatility by slowing things down at times, allowing for a more personal and emotional connection with the audience. These quieter moments were a beautiful contrast to the explosive energy of the rest of the show and demonstrated the depth of Local Natives' artistry.
The visuals and lighting added another layer to the performance, enhancing the overall atmosphere and taking us on a visual journey that perfectly complemented the music. The stage design and lighting effects were captivating and immersive, adding to the overall magic of the evening. One moment in particular was during their song "Paper Lanterns" when the lights mimicked actual paper lanterns.
Local Natives closed the night with an encore that left the crowd wanting more and it was clear that this was a night no one in the room would forget anytime soon. This concert was a high-energy, emotionally charged, and intimate experience that exceeded all expectations. The band's ability to engage with the crowd and deliver a memorable performance reaffirmed why they are one of my favorite bands. Time will wait for no one, but Chicago will always wait for a Local Natives performance.
Chartreuse
5 Second of Summer @ TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park - Indianapolis
August 30th, 2023: 5 Second of Summer, Meet Me At The Alter @ TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park - Indianapolis, IN
5SOS - Photos Courtesy of: Asia Austin
On Wednesday, August 30th, I had the pleasure of seeing 5 Seconds of Summer live and if you’ve never seen this band perform before, or heard of the names, “Luke Hemmings”, “Calum Hood”, “Ashton Irwin”, or “Michael Clifford”, you’re definitely missing out. 5 Seconds of Summer, also known as “5SOS”, made their tour stop in Indianapolis, IN, and brought their “A game” along with them. With a packed out crowd all the way to the back of TCU Amphitheater at White State River Park, the show was filled with high energy and screaming fans from start to finish.
Opening for 5SOS was “Meet Me at The Altar”, an all-female rock band including lead singer Edith Victoria, bassist Téa Campbell, and drummer Ada Juarez. Performing their known songs such as “T.M.I”, “Say It”, and “Need Me”, and even doing a few covers such as “Burnin’ Up” by the Jonas Brothers, there was never a dull moment and the crowd definitely proved that.
The night continued and 5SOS kicked their set off with “Bad Omens”, a fan favorite from their most recent album, “5SOS5”. The setlist was filled with a little bit of everything from each of their releases which is one of the many reasons why I enjoyed this show so much. Including songs such as “Don’t Stop, “Outer Space/Carry On”, “Want You Back”, “Me, Myself, and I”, and “She Looks So Perfect”, there was something to please everyone. Whether you became a fan a month ago or 10 years ago, this show was the place for anyone who wanted to sing and dance all night.
With fun and quirky intermission videos and a giant inflatable red dice that allowed the crowd to pick one of six songs to play, 5SOS never failed to keep their fans happy, laughing, and amused. At one point during the show, bassist Calum Hood stated that after that night, they were not sure when they would be back to see their fans in Indianapolis. But said that if the fans were willing to come back, so would the band. After a night as amazing as this one, I’m sure I’m not the only one already impatiently waiting for their return.
Meet Me At The Alter
little image @ Baby's All Right - Brooklyn
August 30th, 2023: little image @ Baby’s All Right - Brooklyn, NY
little image - Photos Courtesy of: Edwina Hay
