Taking Back Sunday @ White Oak Music Hall - Houston
May 26th, 2024: Taking Back Sunday @ White Oak Music Hall - Houston, TX
Taking Back Sunday - Photos Courtesy of: Brittaney Penney
Taking Back Sunday rolled through Houston on their most recent North American Tour in celebration of their new album, 152. It was a humid night, but that didn’t stop TBS fans from packing the White Oak Music Hall lawn!
If you aren’t familiar with Taking Back Sunday, they have been a band for over 20 years and have sold millions of albums all across the world. You might know two of their most played tracks, “MakeDamnSure” and “Cute Without The ‘E’ (Cut From The Team)”. If you aren’t familiar with them, I highly recommend taking the time to listen to their discography. With 8 full-length studio albums, there is bound to be a song that you’ll like!
It was amazing to see Taking Back Sunday live and performing all of their hit songs. The set list was a great mix of fan favorites, while also adding in songs from their newest album. “Amphetamine Smiles” and “Quit Trying” were our personal favorites from the album, 152, and it was so nice to finally hear those live.
If you haven’t been able to make it to see TBS when they are on tour, we highly recommend you find a show near you and attend! The energy between the band and the fans in the crowd is something to behold.
Gazebo Festival @ Waterfront Park - Louisville
May 25th, 2024: Gazebo Festival @ Waterfront Park - Louisville, KY
Photos Courtesy of: Asia Austin
The first inaugural Gazebo Festival kicked off its 2-Day music event this past weekend at Waterfront Park in Louisville, KY, and had the entire city buzzing with excitement. Curated by GRAMMY-nominated rapper and Louisville native Jack Harlow, the festival included a special and unique lineup of music that Harlow stated feels like a chance to express his personal music taste. The month of May is usually very exciting for the city of Louisville with events such as the Kentucky Derby and Forecastle. However, with Forecastle taking a hiatus in 2023, the city was left with a feeling of emptiness and decided the Gazebo Festival would be the perfect solution to bring all of the liveliness back to Louisville on Memorial Day Weekend.
The gates were opened on Day One and fans entered Waterfront Park with excitement built up over the last couple of months. Acts such as Vince Staples, Rich Homie Quan, Larry June, Karrahboo, as well as Louisville natives SHY!!, and Dom Haley graced the stage preparing fans for an electrifying closing set by SZA. After an exhilarating day with good vibes across the park, it was safe to say that the Gazebo Festival would be a staple for the city of Louisville.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned for Day Two as Louisville was met with hazardous weather conditions and winds as high as 80 mph which left a bit of damage to the site at Waterfront Park. Fans were left with disappointment as acts such as PinkPanthress, James Savage, Omar Apollo, and a highly anticipated closing set from Jack Harlow did not take place. In response to the cancellation, Gazebo Festival will be sending out full refunds to all Sunday ticket holders and 50% refunds to all 2-day ticket holders.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances taking place on Sunday, May 26th, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg was very impressed with Harlow’s efforts. “Jack Harlow is an extraordinary Louisvillian who continues to give back to his hometown.”, says Greenberg. Harlow also states that there are many full-circle aspects to the festival and some of those aspects include a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales as well as on-site revenue streams going to different organizations in Louisville through the Jack Harlow Foundation which was established in 2023.
With Gazebo Festival highlighting Louisville’s underground music scene, there is no doubt that the festival shined a light over the entire city and left a vibrant aura that will have fans and Louisville natives waiting for Gazebo Festival to return for years to come.
EVE @ CROSS THE TRACKS – BROCKWELL PARK, LONDON
May 26th, 2024: Cross the Tracks @ Brockwell Park- London
Photos Courtesy of: Angela Howell
It’s the third day of the Brockwell Live Summer Festival—a fusion of jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop—and Cross The Tracks pulsates throughout Brixton’s Brockwell Park, bringing old souls and new ears to South London.
Eve Jihan Cooper, known to most as simply Eve (or Ruff Ryders’ First Lady for those who’ve known her since the blonde braids), took to the stage to headline the afternoon, and her performance was the standout of the lineup.
Her all-black attire and potent, smoky voice mesmerised young, old, and older alike—with the audience rocking to classics such as ‘Who’s That Girl’ and, of course, ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’. What made this performance extra special was her tribute to the legendary DMX, who passed away in April 2021.
Mammoth WVH @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville
May 17th, 2024: Mammoth WVH with Intervals @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY
Mammoth WVH - Photos Courtesy of: Emily May
You could feel the excitement in the air this past Friday night when Wolfgang Van Halen brought his rock band Mammoth WVH to Mercury Ballroom. This was the final show of their Mammoth II Tour, which ended with a packed venue of fans! Opening the show this evening was the Canadian progressive metal band Intervals. Before this evening, I had not heard them before, but I was a fan after hearing them perform! These guys are amazingly talented instrumentalists, wowing the crowd with each song. Guitarist Aaron Marshall chatted with the crowd a bit between songs but the band mostly let their music do the talking. The band was enjoying themselves on stage and, despite having no singing, connected with the crowd, who was enjoying the set! The band, formed in 2011 by Marshall, has released 6 albums, with the most recent one having just been released, so the band made sure to include some new songs in their set! It was a great start to the evening!
Closing out the evening was Mammoth WVH. The band has released two albums, Mammoth WVH (2021) and Mammoth II (2023), with a nice selection of songs from both albums being featured on the set list this evening. Following in his father’s footsteps, Van Halen is a gifted guitarist and, along with his bandmates, wowed the crowd this evening with their guitar-driven rock! Starting this off with “Right?” and “I’m Alright”, the band had fun with each other and with the crowd throughout the set. On a few occasions, fans at the barricade would hold their hats out while the guitarists Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan and bassist Ronnie Ficarro put picks in them! “Louisville! It’s been a while since we’ve been here! We’re gonna play you some music!”, said Van Halen, with the band performing a 15-song set list to the hundreds of fans in attendance!
About halfway through the set, he had the band leave the stage and performed a solo acoustic version of “Distance”, a song he wrote as a tribute to his father Eddie, who passed away in 2020. “We always said that if we filled a room on our own, we’d mark the occasion with something special, but never thought we’d fill one so soon!”, said Van Halen, who decided it might be better to perform the song acoustically, like he wrote it. Having a bit of fun with the crowd, he jokingly started playing a bit of “Wonderwall” before launching into “Distance”. Towards the end of the set, he thanked the crowd for making the end of their already great tour so amazing. After performing “Take A Bow”, the band left the stage, only to come back out moments later to a roar of cheers and applause, with Van Halen announcing in good humor, “Why did we do that? That was stupid! We should have just stayed up here, but that’s showbiz baby!”. They ended the evening with “Another Celebration at the End of the World” and “Don’t Back Down”. With sing-alongs, fun banter with the crowd, and plenty of incredible instrumentation this evening, it was a night in which the fun energy lingered well after the music had stopped!
Intervals
Interpol @ Bayou Music Center - Houston
May 5th, 2024: Interpol, Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado @ Bayou Music Centers - Houston, TX
Interpol - Photos Courtesy of: Violeta Álvarez
"Interpol's Euphoric Evening at Bayou Music Center in Houston"
On the night of May 5th, 2024, at the Bayou Music Center, was one to remember for music fans in Houston. Interpol who is the legendary indie rock band from New York City, came through town and fans could hardly contain their excitement. It was a rare treat to see them live, especially after their massive concert in Mexico City's historic Zócalo Square, where they played for 160,000 fans. That connection meant a lot, especially to Paul Banks' deep ties to Mexico for over twenty years.
Latin Grammy winner Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado, an Argentine indie rock band from La Plata, Buenos Aires, took the stage as the second act. Their graceful and emotional performance, reminiscent of Pixies and The Velvet Underground, struck a chord with the audience and set the mood for the night.
As Interpol took the stage to a packed house, they opened a night of music that seamlessly illustrated their artistic growth over the years. From the opening song "C'mere" to "Evil" and closing with the encore finale of "PDA,". Interpol's immersive sound mesmerized the crowd effortlessly transiting between songs as the smoky haze in a trance-like atmosphere left a lasting impact.
Frontman Paul Banks exuded an undeniable swagger and coolness on stage, his haunting vocals effortlessly connecting with the enraptured crowd. He offered a heartfelt acknowledgment to the openers in Spanish which was a charming touch that delighted the audience. Alongside him, Daniel Kessler's energetic guitar work and infectious dance moves, paired with riveting drumming, added layers of dynamism and depth, anchoring the band's musical realm with precision and flair.
The visual exhibition was meticulously curated, with lights enriching the overall experience and adding to the captivating atmosphere that left the audience in awe. As the crowd chanted for an encore, Interpol reappeared, surprising fans with a nostalgic performance of "Pace is the Trick" a song revived live for the first time since 2008, sending longtime fans into raptures of delight.
As the final notes faded into the night, there was a bittersweet realization that the evening was coming to an end. Yet Interpol's nostalgic vibe rekindled cherished recollections of my days living in New York City. I was flooded with fond memories of the late 90s and early 2000s, when the iconic Luna Lounge was our sanctuary – sipping champagne in the basement with friends, hanging out on Ludlow Street, living, and breathing the very indie rock scene that Interpol played such a pivotal role in shaping. Those were the halcyon days, and for a few transcendent hours, Interpol transported us back to that magical era, reminding us why we fell in love with their music in the first place.
Interpol had once again effortlessly captivated the audience with their beautiful songs and irresistible stage presence, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who were present. It was an unforgettable magical performance.
Setlist
C'mere
Say Hello to the Angels
My Desire
Take You on a Cruise
Into the Night
Obstacle 1
Lights
Pioneer to the Falls
The Rover
All the Rage Back Home
Rest My Chemistry
Toni
NYC
Evil
The New
Slow Hands
Encore:
Pace is the Trick
(First time played live since 2008)
No, I in Threesome
PDA
Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado
Alvvays @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville
May 6th, 2024: Alvvays with Horse Jumper of Love @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY
Alvvays - Photos Courtesy of Emily May
On May 6th, Canadian indie pop band Alvayys performed to a sold-out crowd at Mercury Ballroom! From the time the doors opened, a steady stream of fans filed into the venue, packing out the floor and balcony by the time the band went on stage. Opening the show this evening was Boston indie rock band Horse Jumper of Love. The band released their first album in 2016 and has since released 3 additional albums, performing a nice selection of songs this evening. Described as a “slow rock” band, their songs were melodic and had a slower tempo, with many people in the crowd grooving to the songs. Singer Dimitri Giannopoulos chatted a bit with the crowd between songs, but the band mainly just blew through their set and no doubt made some new fans this evening!
Closing out the evening was Alvvays and the crowd was more than ready! Since forming in 2011, the band has cultivated an ever-growing fan base and has released 3 albums, the last being Blue Rev, released in 2022. Starting their set with 2 songs from the latest album, “Easy On Your Own?” and “After The Earthquake”, they proceeded to perform several newer songs throughout their set, as well as some older tracks mixed in. Alvvays is a joy to watch perform, with a fun stage presence, feel-good music, and great stage production. Behind the stage was a projector screen that projected various images during their set, some with an almost psychedelic feel, and had the band awash in a myriad of colors. Singer/guitarist Molly Rankin interacted with the crowd a bit between songs, making jokes and thanking everyone for coming out this evening. Performing 19 songs before coming back out for a 3-song encore, they gave their fans plenty of songs this evening to sing and dance along to! Their encore consisted of one track from Blue Rev, “Pharmacist” and 2 songs from their 2014 self-titled first album, “Atop A Cake” and “Next of Kin”. There was such a feeling of joy in the venue this evening, with Alvvays having an adoring fan base, and everyone seemed to have a great time. The end of the show saw a lot of fans make a beeline to the merch table! I hope Alvvays stops in Louisville on their next tour and I’m sure I am not alone in that sentiment!
Horse Jumper of Love
Arlo Parks @ Union Transfer - Philadelphia
April 29th 2024: Arlo Parks, Chloe George @ Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA
Arlo Parks - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
UK’s Arlo Parks returned to Philly on her latest tour in support of last year’s release of My Soft Machine. Attending one of Arlo’s shows is always an ethereal experience. Between the mix of relaxing music and poetry, paired with her heavenly voice, you can’t help but be taken away to another place
Setlist
Bruiseless
Weightless
Blades
Caroline
Impurities
I’m Sorry
Eugene
Dog Rose
Pegasus
Hurt
Too Good
Black Dog
Purple Phase
Jasmine (Jai Paul cover) (Tour debut)
Hope
Sophie
Devotion
Softly
Chloe George
Dylan @ Bowery Ballroom - NYC
April 17th, 2024: Dylan @ Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
Dylan - Photos Courtesy of: Niamh Murphy
On the penultimate night of her Rebel Child Tour, London-based pop-rock singer Dylan took to the stage at New York City’s iconic Bowery Ballroom for a high-octane set that kept fans dancing and singing all night.
Anticipation was high, with fans lined up around the block before doors opened. Many had discovered Dylan after 2022’s stint opening for Ed Sheeran on his +–=÷x stadium tour, and many others found her through TikTok. “I’m always on TikTok and heard her that way. I got my daughter into her and when we heard she was going on tour, we had to come up for it” reveals one fan, who brought her pre-teen daughter with her. “It’s her first concert – she’s so excited”
It’s hard to think of a cooler first concert to experience. (My own was the Cheetah Girls). But Dylan is a bold and dynamic performer, leaving no inch of the stage uncovered and no fan ignored. She keeps her energy high, never flagging even after vigorous performances.
She takes fans through a solid catalog of uptempo pop rock like “Rebel Child,” “Every Heart but Mine,” and “No Romeo,” taking breaks for slower songs like “Blue” and an acoustic cover of Taylor Swift’s “Out of the Woods.” Fans were also treated to a cover of Sam Smith’s “Unholy” and an electric performance of her most recent release: “The Alibi.”
With an overall lively set, the show solidified Dylan as a force to be reckoned with, leaving a strong impression. Anyone leaving that set would have been impressed, whether it was their fiftieth concert or their first.
