Emo Orchestra @ The Louisvile Palace - Louisville
October 24th, 2023: Emo Orchestra @ The Louisville Palace - Louisville, KY
Emo Orchestra - Photos Courtesy of Emily May
For the Inaugural Emo Orchestra, special guests Hawthorne Heights brought this experience to Louisville recently to a modest but passionate crowd! It’s such a unique experience for those of us who grew up loving emo bands and songs to hear some of our favorites with the backing of a live orchestra in a gorgeous theater setting. Many of the fans had their kids with them, introducing them to much of the emo music they loved growing up. Singer JT Woodruff was all smiles as the performance started, chatting with the crowd before every song to give them the story of what he and his bandmates were going through at the time or their relationship with the band they were covering. Nostalgia can be such a wonderful feeling, with this evening leading many in attendance to re-live their younger days through the music performed. Woodruff said early on that he wanted to try to remind everyone of a time when life was simpler and when we all sat in our rooms and listened to music. He also joked about how performing in a nice, seated, air-conditioned venue was their way of apologizing to their fans for the days when they would have to see Hawthorne Heights in hundred-degree weather at Warped Tour!
Woodruff stated at the start of the set how excited the band was for this evening. He told the crowd how for years the band performed and would stand back at the merch table, listening to their fans tell him about how much their music or other band’s music meant to them. He got to hear what many emo bands and their music meant to the fans, but how this evening (and on the tour in general) we would all get to hear about what these bands and songs mean to him and his band. We would hear about these songs from their perspective. He announced that he and his band had picked a set list where everyone could scream as loud as they could! While Hawthorne Heights performed a few of their songs throughout the evening, such as “Niki FM”, “The Storm”, "Decembers”, and their smash hit “Ohio Is For Lovers”, which they ended the set with, they had a really fun mix of emo songs from a variety of popular bands. Woodruff laughed on a few occasions before a song, stating how the band in question would probably be upset being referred to as an Emo band, or have their song referred to as an emo song, but how just for this evening it would be considered emo!
Starting off the covers with Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue”, they got the crowd singing their hearts out in no time. Woodruff is a great storyteller. Before launching into “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” by Fall Out Boy, he told the story of performing with them very early on in a comic book store in Dayton, OH, and how they later got offered to go on tour with Fall Out Boy when they got big. He talked about how when you are in a band, you sometimes start to forget why you do it and stop listening to music as a fan, later realizing that you write and perform music because you love it. They then went on to perform “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World”, “Make Damn Sure” by Taking Back Sunday”, and “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” by Death Cab For Cutie. Woodruff told the crowd how the first out-of-town show the band was ever offered was in Louisville and how they spent a lot of time here as a band, being so close to Dayton, and having fond memories of the city. This evening had a short intermission, with the band finishing the pre-intermission set with “Until The Day I Die” by Story of The Year.
As the second half of the performance began, the band sat this one out as the orchestra performed a great, instrumental rendition of “Welcome To The Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance. The screen showed the lyrics to the song, with the crowd being the band for this one and singing along at full volume! The second half of the set included some bangers- “Adam’s Song” by Blink 182, “The Taste of Ink” by The Used, “Misery Business” by Paramore, “Miss Murder” by AFI, and “Hey There Delilah”, by Plain White T’s. Woodruff told the crowd near the end of the set how they always like to do a roll call, announcing the folks on stage and off, who had a part in making the tour happen. Emo Orchestra is such a fun concept and it was obvious that everyone in attendance had a great time singing their way down memory lane! I look forward to seeing how this concept evolves for future tours!
YONAKA @ Brooklyn Bowl - Philadelphia
October 16th 2023: YONAKA, Barns Courtney, James Bruner @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA
YONAKA - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
UK’s YONAKA kicked off their first US tour opening for Barns Courtney in Philadelphia on October 16th. I’ve been following YONAKA for a while, so I was super excited for the chance to catch them live finally. I can certainly say that they lived up to the hype. The band recently released their latest album, Welcome to My House. Offering fans more of their heavy-hitting, female-fronted rock power tunes. My only complaint is that the set wasn’t longer to capture more of the band’s infectious live energy.
Barns Courtney
James Bruner
Ethel Cain @ Castro Theater - San Francisco
October 23rd, 2023: Ethel Cain @ Castro Theater - San Francisco, CA
Ethel Cain - Photos Courtesy of: Sabrina Poei
The iconic Castro Theater in San Francisco was set with raw energy as Ethel Cain took the stage for a captivating performance that will surely be etched in the memories of all those lucky enough to attend. The atmosphere in the theater was charged with anticipation, and Ethel Cain did not disappoint, delivering a show that was nothing short of mesmerizing.
As the lights dimmed, a palpable sense of excitement filled the air. The stage was bathed in soft, ethereal lighting, setting the mood for what was to come. Ethel Cain made an understated but grand entrance, clad in a white lace and pearl dress that contrasted the blend of avant-garde and vulnerability that defines her music. The visuals were a perfect compliment to Cain's ethereal and moody sound. A mesmerizing interplay of colors and shadows enhanced the emotional impact of each song, making for a truly immersive experience.
The performance began with the haunting opening notes of "Strangers," an emotional track that instantly connected with the audience. The intimacy of the venue allowed for those in the front row to get up close & personal during “A House in Nebraska” and “American Teenager.” Ethel Cain's voice, at times soft and fragile, and at other times, soaring and powerful, resonated throughout the theater, captivating the crowd. Her ability to weave a narrative through her music was nothing short of extraordinary. Each song told a story, often drawing from her personal experiences. During "Gibson Girl," a deeply emotional and introspective song, she crouched down and sat on the edge of the stage grabbed the hand of an audience member, and sang, making it one of the standout moments of the evening. Her vulnerability on stage was genuine, and it was clear that she was sharing a piece of herself with everyone in attendance.
The evening came to an end with a performance of "Crush," a poignant and powerful song that left the audience in awe and fans erupted in applause as she took her final bow, visibly touched by the warmth and energy of San Francisco. It was a night filled with haunting melodies, introspective lyrics, and a powerful sense of shared emotion. After a long year of touring filled with firsts, like playing Coachella, Ethel’s final performance of the tour at Castro Theater was an extraordinary and emotionally charged experience.
flipturn @ The UC Theatre - Berkeley
October 4th, 2023: flipturn @ The UC Theatre - Berkeley, CA
flipturn - Photos Courtesy of: Sabrina Poei
Indie-rock sensation flipturn took the stage at The UC Theatre, leaving the audience in awe with their electric performance. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as fans gathered to witness this Florida-based band's live act. The venue itself, the UC Theater, with its historic charm and excellent acoustics, provided the perfect backdrop for what would be an unforgettable evening.
The evening kicked off with the vibrant opening act Finish Ticket, setting the stage for flipturn's performance. As the lights dimmed, the unmistakable energy of flipturn surged through the theater, and the audience erupted in cheers. The band wasted no time launching into their setlist, starting with some of their fan-favorite tracks like “The Fall,” “Sad Disco,” and “Burn.” Lead singer Dillon Basse's voice was nothing short of powerful and emotive, effortlessly transitioning from soulful melodies to high-energy anthems. The band's chemistry was evident as they moved effortlessly through each song, feeding off the energy of the crowd and clearly enjoying every moment on stage. Guitarist Tristan Duncan and bassist Madeline Jarman's intricate riffs and grooves had the audience dancing non-stop, while drummer Devon VonBalson and keyboardist Mitch Fountain provided the pulsating rhythms that elevated flipturn's sound to a whole new level. Their music transcended genres, their energy was contagious, and their connection with the audience was undeniable.
CHAI @ Warsaw - Brooklyn
October 6th, 2023: CHAI, Font @ Warsaw - Brooklyn, NY
CHAI - Photos Courtesy of: Edwina Hay
On Friday, October 6th, CHAI’s, “We the CHAI” tour came to Brooklyn, NY for an evening at Warsaw.
The openers for this tour are Austin, TX’s Font, and the five-member act which only formed in 2022 went on promptly at 8 PM. Before the show, I tried to check out their music but could only find one single available on their Bandcamp page, so I was very curious what their full set would be like. The post-punk quintet put on an energetic and fun performance, and the audience seemed to enjoy it.
Chai came on stage at 9:15 PM, dressed in matching pink costumes. Their infectious songs, high energy, and synchronized dance moves had the Brooklyn crowd screaming and dancing along all throughout their extremely enjoyable set. Predictably, their setlist included their single (“PARA PARA”) from their Sub Pop Records debut, CHAI, released last month. They also performed older material such as “E.N.D.,” “N.E.O.,” plus a few moments of a song from one of their influences, Basement Jaxx (“Where’s Your Head At?”). Their joyful set is truly what I needed at the end of a busy week and I felt a small wave of sadness when I realized it was over as most people filed out of Warsaw, while others remained behind to meet the band at the merchandise table.
Font
The Darkness @ Masonic Auditorium - San Francisco
October 3rd, 2023: The Darkness, The Comancheros @ Masonic Auditorium - San Francisco, CA
The Darkness - Photos Courtesy of: Vanessa Solis
The Darkness kicked off their Permission To Land 20th Anniversary US Tour in San Francisco at the Masonic Auditorium on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. The Comancheros from Columbia, MO for the West Coast dates.
The Comancheros are a band that you don’t want to miss. They brought out so much energy, which was the best way to get the crowd going. Their music is considered heavy Western with bellowing vocals by Tanner Jones, who is also on lead guitar. Drummer, Michael “Bobcat” Cook, is primal on the drums. Bassist John “Deere” Green appeared to constantly whip around his hair, while not skipping a note and singing vocals. They played a great set with both old and new songs.
When The Darkness took the stage, the crowd was ready! The band was in top form, with Justin Hawkins smiling throughout the entire show and his vocals soaring over the crowd. You felt that he was happy to be there and he let his fans know it. Always the showman with high kicks, headstands, and his 5-octave range. Justin never showed signs of slowing down!
The band played a wide range of songs from their discography including classics, "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," "Get Your Hands Off My Woman," and "Bald." The crowd was on their feet from the start, singing along and dancing to every song. During the encore, they ended the show with "Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)," for the first time in North America.
It was a night of pure rock and roll, and the Darkness delivered everything fans could have hoped for. The band started the show at 100% and ended it at 110. The Darkness is a band to see. You are guaranteed a brilliant show.
The Comancheros
Maisie Peters @ House of Blues - Houston
October 5th, 2023: Maisie Peters, Grace Enger @ House of Blues - Houston, TX
Maisie Peters - Photos Courtesy of: Brittaney Penney
Maisie Peters brought The Good Witch Tour to Houston, Texas last week and it was a beautiful day filled with incredible energy.
Grace Enger opened up the show and she was so lovely. With just herself and her guitar, she took us on a journey with her beautiful vocals. She even deviated from her setlist, when a fan in the crowd asked for a demo she made while in college. In shock that someone knew the song, she played it and the entire crowd was mesmerized. We will be keeping an eye out for more releases from Grace in the future. We can see her going very far in her career as a singer/songwriter.
Maisie Peters was up next and boy, was the crowd ready! Maisie’s setlist started out with the tour’s namesake, The Good Witch, and immediately got the crowd on their feet. The energy that was exchanged from the crowd to Maisie up on stage throughout the entire show was an incredible thing to witness. Everyone in the crowd either came as a fan or they for sure left as one.
Standout tracks of the night: Her medley of older songs, BSC, and History of Man (with Grace Enger) coming out on stage to sing with Maisie.
Grace Enger
Lil Yachty @ Old National Centre - Indianapolis
October 8th, 2023: Lil Yachty, Stoop Lauren, The Concrete Family, and Nick Hakim - Indianapolis, IN
Lil Yachty - Photos Courtesy of: Asia Austin
Miles Parks McCollum, better known as Lil Yachty, had a sold-out show at the Egyptian Room at Old National Centre in Indianapolis, IN on Sunday night during his Field Trip Tour. His DJ who goes by the name of ‘Anthony Somebody’, had the crowd fired up by playing both older and newer rap hits including “Meltdown” by Travis Scott and Drake, which Drake made a special appearance at Yachty’s Toronto show a few days prior.
Before he graced the stage, Lil Yachty had three openers which included rapper Stoop Lauren, The Concrete Family, and R&B singer Nick Hakim. All of which collectively kept the audience alive and enthusiastic until it was time for the main event.
Wearing Tomás Vokoun’s Nashville Predators Jersey, Lil Yachty took the stage opening with his song, “drive Me Crazy!”. Tensions were high and the energy of the crowd could be felt from the front to the back as Yachty also had an all-female band and choir backing him up. Performing hits such as Poland, Broccoli, iSpy, and Strike (Holster), fans sang along and rapped every single word as the show continued. With Lil Yachty only being about halfway through the North American portion of his tour, this is definitely a show you do not want to miss out on.
