Omar Apollo @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
August 25th 2024: Omar Apollo, Malcolm Todd @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Omar Apollo | Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Omar Apollo made his God Said No Tour stop in Philadelphia on a perfect Sunday evening, August 25th. It was one of those rare Summer shows where the weather perfectly matched the feeling of the music. There was a small chill in the air, accompanied by the ominous fog filling the stage. This was a long time in a while since I felt that an artist put careful thought into every produced moment on stage. From the subtle backing dancers incorporated, but not overdone. The white backdrop of the stage embraced the outfit changes. The moody lighting and stage props are also delicately incorporated throughout the set. Omar’s performance was also perfect, with a carefully planned setlist that flowed flawlessly throughout the night and spanned a lot of his vast catalogue. This was my first time getting to see Omar, and there was zero disappointment with this show. I was excited to also experience the “Pedro” track live, while Omar was fitting in a wardrobe change his dancers took a few moments to show off their moves, while we also took in the perfect words from Pedro Pascal.
Malcom Todd
The Marias @ The Salt Shed - Chicago
August 13th, 2024: The Marias, Automatic @ The Salt Shed - Chicago, IL
The Marias | Photos Courtesy of: Emily Nava
On Tuesday, August 13th 2024, The Marías brought their Submarine Tour to a sold-out Salt Shed Chicago with the opening act Automatic. This tour follows the recent release of The Marías' second full-length album Submarine. The Marías is a project led by María Zardoya (vocals) with members Josh Conway (drums), Jesse Perlman (guitar) and Edward James (keys).
Los Angeles-based rock trio Automatic opened the show. Their music was a rock/synth pop mixture, which paired well with The Marías.
At approximately 8 pm, The Marías took the stage, with María appearing as a silhouette behind the band, then emerging forward while singing "Hamptons". At first listen, one may think that The Marías' airy, dreamy sound is more soft and the show may have a more mellow vibe. Still, with screams, jumping, and singing along to every song, the crowd appeared completely engaged, entranced, and energized with The Marías' performance. The band performed almost the entirety of Submarine, as well as songs from their previous releases CINEMA and Superclean Vol. I and II. Throughout the night, María expressed gratitude for fans and even mentioned how their song "Heavy" now lived permanently on the setlist due to popular demand, noting that a fan made a change.org petition for them to play it. The connection between The Marías and their fanbase was also demonstrated by how wild the crowd went when María stepped down and performed along the barricade during the band's collaboration song with Bad Bunny "Otro Atardecer".
The production of this tour overall was incredible to witness. The way silhouettes came into play throughout the show complemented the story and feel of Submarine so well. For the encore song, "If Only", María appeared on stage in a full bathtub, which was one of the most unique encores I have ever seen. I'm sure I'm not alone in this when I say, The Marías know how to put on a great and unforgettable performance. Do not miss the Submarine Tour!
Automatic
Still Woozy @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
August 11th 2024: Still Woozy, MICHELLE @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Still Woozy - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Sven (aka Still Woozy) burst out on stage to a packed crowd on Sunday night in Philadelphia. After an unbearable heatwave most of this Summer, we couldn’t have asked for a better night to embrace the vibes of Still Woozy under the trees and stars without miserably sweating. Still Woozy did not disappoint, with a setlist that covered a wide range of his catalogue, including a lot of tracking from his latest album, Loveseat. You couldn’t help but get swept up in Sven’s performance, embracing each song with excitement as if it was his first time performing it. The crowd soaked it in, singing back every word. It was also exciting to see the little fuzzy guy from the album cover show up mid-set on stage.
The adorable 4-piece, MICHELLE, opened the set. I’ve been following these gals for a bit, so I was super excited to catch their live set and it was nothing short of unique. Not only did they have coordinated colours for their outfits, but the entire set had planned out choreography. I'm excited to hear more from them on their upcoming album later this year.
Setlist
Again
Window
Get By
All Your Life
Shit Don't Change
Baby
Rocky
Lemon
Lucy
Forwards
That's Life
Little Things
Kenny
Cooks
Drake
Run It Back
Lava
Frida Kahlo
Shotput
Habit
WTF
Encore:
Rid Of Me
Goodie Bag
MICHELLE
A Day To Remember @ Huntington Bank Pavilion - Chicago
July 25th, 2024: A Day to Remember, Four Year Strong, The Story So Far @ Huntington Bank Pavilion - Chicago, IL
Photos Courtesy of: Amanda Huerta
There were tons of people who could NOT wait for A Day to Remembers’ The Least Anticipated Album Tour show to happen in Chicago, and upon arriving at the venue there were thousands already inside, and loads of people still waiting to make their way in for an insane night. Aside from their acoustic tour at the Chicago Theater in 2022, A Day to Remember hasn’t played a show in Chicago Since 2021, which is quite a while, so this show was a huge deal to us Chicagoans. The rest of the lineup for the night consisted of Scowl, Four Year Strong, and The Story So Far.
Four Year Strong has always been one of the hardest pop punk bands setting themselves apart in the music scene. The energy during their live performances never disappoints, it truly feels like a jolt of electricity flows through any crowd they play. With the release of a few new songs like “Daddy of Mine” and “Uncooked” their hardcore rhythms are even more apparent than ever before. Dan O’Connor and Alan Day say they showed up to day one of recording their newest album without a single finished song which feels so unbelievable because all 5 new songs they’ve released so far sound so polished, even amazing live too, and honestly some of my favorite work that Four Year Strong has created to date. Their sixth studio album Analysis Paralysis releases on August 9th, 2024, be sure to listen to it as soon as it comes out!
The Story So Far played a great mix of old and new during their set. Longtime fans were excited to hear favorites like “Roam” and “Bad Luck” which brought high intensity in the crowd. On June 21st, 2024 The Story So Far released their fifth album I Want To Disappear. If you were a fan of their album Proper Dose, you would love their latest album, despite this, a ton of progression is still very apparent in The Story So Far’s style as a band. Fans got a small taste of a few new songs added to the setlist like “All This Time” and “Letterman,” hopefully they do a full album run soon, I know I’ll be there.
The venue erupted into chaos as A Day To Remember finally burst onto the stage, beginning their show with the heavy classic “Sticks and Bricks” and continuing with “All I Want” and “2nd sucks.” Some of these are my all-time personal favorite songs that the band has released, and even I could not contain myself in the photo pit as they were played. To say that things were starting right was a severe understatement, the amount of hits that A Day To Remember has is excessive in the best way possible. The rest of the setlist included a mixture of songs from Homesick, For Those Who Have Heart, What Separates Me From You, Common Courtesy, and so on, with a few singles thrown in as well.
I have never been to an A Day To Remember show that didn’t leave an impression on me forever. In March 2011, they came to Chicago with their Game Changers tour which is quite literally my favorite show I’ve been to in my life. Fast forward to 2014, A Day To Remember announced (the morning of) that they were playing a surprise set at Warped Tour in Chicago and everyone lost their minds hearing the news, and again, they played yet another unforgettable show. These guys know what it takes to make sure everybody has the time of their lives.
Their entire set was a whole hour and 45 minutes long, for as long as this set was, I know they still had even more hits that they could have played which just goes to show truly how impressive their entire discography is. Of course, playing every single song in one night is impossible, but they did an amazing job at crafting this tour's setlist.
The Least Anticipated Album Tour is now over, but you can catch them at Rocklahoma Fest on August 31st in Pryor, Oklahoma and at When We Were Young Fest on October 19-20th in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Four Years Strong
The Story So Far
The Japanese House @ Franklin Music Hall - Philadelphia
July 26th 2024: The Japanese House, Julia Pratt @ Franklin Music Hall - Philadelphia, PA
Amber Bain of The Japanese House - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
We were treated to another amazing Japanese House show in Philly on Friday, July 26th. Playing a slightly larger venue just a few blocks away from the last venue we caught her at, Amber Bain (aka The Japanese House) played to a packed house at Franklin Music Hall. The setlist included a large span of the Japanese House catalogue, including the bops and the sad songs we love to embrace with open arms. There’s always something about Amber’s stage presence that makes you feel like you’re just a friend hanging out watching her play, everything presents so comforting and warm. The effects aren’t overdone and the lighting is moody (almost too moody when two songs in Bain asked for the lights to be turned up so she didn’t feel like she was playing in a dark room). With new music already out since In The End It Always Does release, hopefully, we’ll hear more from The Japanese House soon.
Setlist
Touching Yourself
Sad to Breathe
Something Has to Change
Morning Pages
Follow My Girl
Boyhood
Baby goes again
You Seemed So Happy
Over There
Friends
f a r a w a y
Worms
Chewing Cotton Wool
Dionne
Encore:
Still
Boyhood (acoustic)
:)
Sunshine Baby
Julia Pratt
The Struts @ House of Blues - Houston
July 23rd, 2024: The Struts @ House of Blues - Houston, TX
Photos Courtesy of: Violeta Álvarez
Rock 'n' Roll Revival: The Struts Electrify Houston
After Hurricane Beryl's devastation that left over 2 million Houstonians without power for weeks during a record-breaking heat wave, the city was desperately in need of a pick-me-up, this concert was the perfect remedy for the city's weary spirits. On July 23, 2024, the British rockers, The Struts kicked off their Pretty Vicious Tour with a bang at Houston's House of Blues. Despite a looming flood watch, fans packed the venue, eager for a night of rock 'n' roll magic, bringing a much-needed dose of excitement to the Bayou City. And OH WOW, The Struts delivered!
From the moment the band hit the stage, the band's energy was magnetic. The band launched into "Bulletproof Baby," performed for the first time since 2019, the audience sang along to every word, creating a unified wave of voices that echoed through the venue. Frontman Luke Spiller, ever the showman, strutted across the stage with his signature moves, igniting the crowd with his charisma. The band draws influences from hints of Queen and David Bowie, which shone through in their performance, but The Struts have undeniably crafted their unique modern flair of sound and style.
The stage setup was nothing short of spectacular. A backdrop featuring iconic London historic buildings added a touch of the band's roots, while rows of illuminated amps lined the stage. Pillars of light and smoke effects created an atmosphere that was both intimate and larger-than-life. The dramatic stage lighting transformed the venue, giving it a stadium-like feel but without losing that cozy vibe.
Guitarist Adam Slack was on fire all night, his solos reaching new heights. The rhythm section of Jed Elliott on bass and Gethin Davies on drums provided a rock-solid foundation for the band's performances.
One of the most touching moments came when Spiller asked everyone to raise their phone lights, creating a sea of twinkling stars in the crowd. As he led the audience in a singalong, the connection between the band and fans was electric. Throughout the night, the House of Blues staff could be seen dancing along and I even spotted one of the security guards who couldn't resist playing air guitar. A particularly touching moment was when a father and son duo danced together, the young boy perched on his dad's shoulders, both lost in the music. It was a beautiful reminder of how music can unite people, transcending generations.
The setlist was a perfect mix of new tracks from their latest album "Pretty Vicious" and fan favorites. The crowd went wild for classics like "Could Have Been Me" and "Kiss This," while also embracing new gems like "Better Love," which made its live debut.
Thank you, The Struts, for bringing your shining light to Houston. This concert was exactly what the doctor ordered. After weeks of heat waves and power outages due to Hurricane Beryl, this was exactly the energy we needed. Your music and vibrant performance reminded us of the power of rock 'n' roll to heal and uplift. Houston can't wait to welcome you back!
almost monday @ Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia
July 25th 2024: almost monday @ Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA
Dawson Daugherty of almost monday - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
almost monday kicked off things at Philly’s Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, July 25th, opening for AJR. Their sunny Cali-infused music was a great setting for the balmy Summer day. As the stadium filled up, the crowd welcomed the pop hits with dancing, singing, and a classic moody lighting of the phone for a sad song.
The 4-piece is no stranger to Philly, but playing their largest venue this time. Needless to say, their music was made for a setting like this, with a large stage to encapsulate all of frontman Dawson Daugherty’s captivating moves. It’s always a special time catching an almost monday show, side effects include instant happiness.
Setlist
is it too late?
can’t slow down
cough drops
only wanna dance
tidal wave
Jupiter
sunburn
sun keeps on shining
life goes by
Del Water Gap @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville
July 14th, 2024: Del Water Gap, Kaleah Lee @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY
Photos Courtesy of: Emily May
Del Water Gap (S. Holden Jaffe) brought his current tour to Mercury Ballroom on July 14th to a sea of screaming fans! The nearly sold-out show was packed this evening, with fans filling the floor and all sides of the balcony. While starting the musical project in 2012, he rose to prominence in 2020 upon releasing “Ode To A Conversation Stuck In Your Throat” and “Mariposa” and has been growing a devoted fan base ever since. As the lights dimmed, signalling that the band was about to come out on stage, Jaffe and his band were welcomed with deafening screams and cheers, with the band wasting no time launching in their set. Starting things off with “Coping On Unemployment”, Better Than I Know Myself”, and “Dollhouse”, they had the crowd singing and dancing in no time. Jaffe was very engaging with the crowd, whether leading them all in sing-alongs, standing or sitting at the front of the stage to sing directly to them, or signing his autograph for a fan and later getting out into the crowd, it was very clear that he adores his fans as much as they adore him. He talked with the crowd often between songs, telling everyone early on how he was so honored to be there. He went on to say how he had been touring as support for Niall Horan and when he got to the tour was told he could play some one-off shows in places he hadn’t played before, with Louisville being one of those places. He said, “I played baseball as a kid and knew of the Louisville Sluggars but not much else about Louisville, so I am excited to be playing here! I wrote songs as a kid because I was too shy to tell girls I liked them and never thought I’d get to play music and tour as an adult. I’m so glad to get to play here and that people know my songs!”.
The band had such a fun and uplifting energy and spent their set making sure everyone was having a good time. As the set came to an end, they ended with “Perfume”, which saw Jaffe get out into the crowd, much to his fan’s delight. It was a great way to end their set before ultimately coming back out for an encore. Addressing the crowd one last time, he said “Louisville! Thank you so much for a beautiful evening. All I ever wanted was to be a singer, and I get to do so because of people like you who like to spend money on music, so thank you very much. I’ll never take it for granted!”. The band ended the evening with “We Will Never Be Like Anybody Else” and “Ode To A Conversation Stuck In Your Throat”. Starting things off this evening was Vancouver singer-songwriter Kaleah Lee. With just her and an acoustic guitar, she sang some really beautiful and thoughtful songs, with a voice that was both powerful and subdued. She had a bright and uplifting stage presence, chatting and having fun with the crowd. She got the crowd going towards the end of her set when she sang a cover of Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!”. I do not doubt that she made plenty of new fans this evening! All in all, it was a super fun evening with a really fun energy!
Kaleah Lee
