Hot Mulligan (Riot Fest Aftershow) @ Metro - Chicago
September 21st, 2024: Hot Mulligan @ Metro - Chicago, IL
Hot Mulligan | Photos Courtesy of: Allie Loven
Hot Mulligan visited Chicago, Illinois for Riot Fest weekend 2024. The Lansing-based band started their weekend by playing on the Cabaret Metro Stage on Friday evening. It finished off with a bang Saturday night, September 21, 2024, with a sold-out after-show held at Metro Chicago supported by fellow Midwest locals, New Age Thief. Pulling up to the venue, there was a line full of fans, waiting in suspense for the doors to open, wrapping around the building into the alley. Hot Mulligan has remained a Chicago pop-punk favorite over the past decade, so this was no surprise.
Up-and-coming opening pop-punk band, New Age Thief, definitely brought the surprise factor though. The duo Gino Savarino and Brady Corcoran are well-known in the Midwest as well from former music, but New Age Thief is the most recent and growing project he has been a part of. These members had the perfect way of setting the tone for Hot Mulligan’s performance. It is safe to say New Age Thief is already established in Chicago and seemingly more growth is coming each day, especially after their opening set on Saturday. By the end of New Age Thief, the crowd was non-stop moving and ready for Hot Mulligan.
Once Hot Mulligan was ready to take the stage, the room quickly started to pack in even tighter. Some fans travelled over 1,000 miles for this show specifically. For a band who has been non-stop touring and doing festivals, there was impressively no lack of energy to be found. From the front of the barricade to the balcony viewing, fans filled the room screaming along to a variety of Hot Mulligan songs. The band started with three of their songs from their 2016 Album Opportunities and continued on the night with 16 more of their top hits including: “Digging In,” “SPS,” “ *Equip Sunglasses*,” and many more. Hot Mulligan never fails to provide their following with lively, upbeat performances every time they touch the stage.
New Age Thief
Medium Build @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
September 14th 2024: Medium Build @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Medium Build - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Nicholas Carpenter, aka Medium Build, returned to Philly to play his largest crowd yet in our city. Coming off his headlining tour a few months back in support of his latest album, Country, we now find Nick opening for the one and only Rainbow Kitten Surprise. The setlist was a perfect intro to the Medium Build catalog for any new fans in the audience. For anyone like me who has gotten the pleasure of seeing all of Nick’s shows he’s played in Philly, his live show has only continued to grow better in comparison to the solo first show, to the duo set up with Nick and the man behind the keyboard, Paul Rogers. Now performing as a 4-piece you can truly embrace the music how it was intended. Despite Medium Build not being the headliner, there were folks scattered around the crowd you know were there to see MB, standing and screaming back the lyrics. I can’t wait to continue to see Medium Build grow and share his sentimental songs with the world.
Royel Otis @ HISTORY - Toronto
September 12th, 2024: Royel Otis @ HISTORY- Toronto, ON
Royel Otis | Photos Courtesy of: Peyton Mott
Stepping out onto the Toronto stage, HISTORY, the Australian power duo Royel Otis graced the eclectic crowd with a giant shrimp in tow. The pair fittingly made up of founding members, Royel Maddell and (the notoriously mysterious) Otis Pavlovic shot themselves to international fame with Billboard-ranked covers of The Cranberries, 'Linger" and the Saltburn classic, "Murder On The Dancefloor". While both covers are captivating and lovingly screamed along to during their set, their self-produced songs stand well on their own, the indie pop tunes like "Sofa King" and "Oysters In My Pocket" (hence the massive shrimp on stage) cement themselves as future classics in the genre. While Pavlaovic understandably hides his face from the public, his shredding fills the room more than any stage personality ever could, with Maddell filling in the blanks with charming smiles to the crowd. The tour runs across North America to late October and is a certifiable unmissable show.
Bikini Kill @ Brooklyn Paramount - Brooklyn
September 7th, 2024: Bikini Kill, Birthday Girl @ Brooklyn Paramount - Brooklyn, NY
Bikini Kill | Photos Courtesy of: Edwina Hay
On Saturday, September 7th, Bikini Kill began their two-night stand at Brooklyn Paramount in Brooklyn, NY. The influential punk band are wrapping up their summer tour and scheduled two nights in New York City at Brooklyn Paramount.
Brooklyn Paramount opened earlier this year, hosting live music in the space for the first time in nearly 50 years. The site is a former movie palace and was a sports venue up until the multi-million dollar renovation by Live Nation.
Starting the evening promptly at 8 PM was Brooklyn band Birthday Girl. The sextet warmed up the all-ages crowd, who mostly filled the main room despite numerous people standing in line to buy merchandise or still arriving at the show. Singer/songwriter Eva Smittle cited the headlining act as an influence and expressed appreciation to the band for adding them to this exciting bill.
Bikini Kill then appeared on stage shortly after 9 PM with Kathleen Hanna starting their set with the powerful lyric, “We’re Bikini Kill, and we want revolution girl style now!” and beginning “Double Dare Ya.” The quartet, also comprised of Tobi Vail, Kathi Wilcox, and Sara Landeau opened with BK’s earliest material (“Carnival,” “New Radio,” and “Don’t Need You”) before visiting songs from their full-length records, Pussy Whipped and Reject All American. With no new material to promote, the band played everything old to the delight of everyone in attendance. The audience sang along and danced throughout the whole show with members rotating roles on songs. Tobi left the drum kit to sing “Distinct Complicity,” “Hamster Baby,” and “Tell Me So” with Kathi or Sara taking over drum duties and Kathleen moving over to play bass. Their set concluded with ”Suck My Left One,” “Jigsaw Youth” and a one-song encore of “Rebel Girl” which is now a timeless anthem.
Bikini Kill disbanded in 1997 and was a band that I never imagined witnessing live one day, especially as someone who discovered them towards the end of their life. Before beginning, “I Like Fucking,” Kathleen shared that she never wanted to play that song before their breakup but now she finds joy in it. Being in a room where mostly everyone is singing along and enjoying music made by four badass women truly is a joyful experience and I’m extremely grateful for Bikini Kill and that gift.
Birthday Girl
Polaris @ Emo's - Austin
September 3rd, 2024: Polaris, BlessTheFall @ Emo's- Austin, TX
Polaris | Photos Courtesy of: Bernadette Castillo
I was so excited to be able to photograph this tour stop at Emo’s here in Austin, TX; I’ve heard of both BlessTheFall and Polaris as metalcore mainstays, but hadn’t seen either of them live, and knew it was going to be an incredible show!
I don’t remember the last time I saw a frontman as charismatic and engaged with the crowd as BlessTheFall’s Beau Bokan. You could tell that the crowd was ecstatic to see the band and it was a really beautiful thing to witness just how into their show the crowd was.
Admittedly, I am more familiar with Polaris’ music, and what a treat it was to get to see them play live! The lead vocalist, Jamie Hails, displays such range with his screams - the lows and highs were so powerful to see in person. The musicianship of the band was impeccable, these guys are truly masters at what they do. (I’d also be remiss to mention that last June, their guitarist, Ryan Siew, passed - and while I wish I would have been able to see him play live; it’s clear he’s dearly missed).
My absolute favorite shows to see and photograph is metal and metalcore; I feel like there is often this preconceived notion about how ‘aggressive’ it is, and while sure, there’s bound to be moshpits - all the metal shows I’ve been to, and especially this one; there’s such a positive energy, with the band and crowd looking out for each other and taking care of one another.
BlessTheFall
Incubus @ Moody Center - Austin
September 7th, 2024: Incubus, Coheed and Cambria - Morning View Tour @ Moody Center - Austin, TX
Incubus | Photos Courtesy of: Bernadette Castillo
Incubus has been one of my favorite bands since I first heard Morning View as a teen; that album got me through my adolescence, and to this day is one of my favorite albums of all time, so the chance to cover this show here in Austin was so very special. This band, and this album in particular, is important to me.
There was a lot of anticipation for this tour, particularly with this tour lineup alongside Coheed and Cambria - and the Moody Center had a packed house from the start! I’ve never seen Coheed live before, and they were mesmerizing to watch getting to hear the intricacies of their music in their songs live was awesome.
Ahead of this tour, Incubus released a re-recording of Morning View, originally released in 2001. Upon listening to Morning View XXIII, I thought that it sounded close to their live sound (I’ve been lucky enough to see them live a few times), but after last night, I think that statement doesn’t do this band justice. The guys have been in a band together for over 30 years. They are incredible musicians individually in their own right - and the addition of Nicole Row as bassist, including her backing vocals, brings an extra layer to their live sound. Brandon Boyd’s vocals are strong, and it’s impressive that he is still hitting a lot of the same notes as he could 20+ years ago.
This was such a special show, and getting to hear the crowd sing along to every word is one of my favorite things about concerts, especially when they’re lyrics to an album I’ve grown up listening to.
Coheed and Cambria
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
