Thievery Corporation @ Roseland Theater - Portland
December 20th, 2024: Thievery Corporation, Matthew Dear @ Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
Thievery Corporation | Photos Courtesy of: Christina Hall
It was a pop-an-edible-and-just-vibe kind of night. This coming from someone who only knew the song, "Lebanese Blonde" from the Garden State soundtrack nearly twenty years ago. Thievery Corporation made their way to their sold-out show in Portland, Oregon at the Roseland Theater after playing three nights in Seattle, Washington. The crowd was slow to fill with a mix of age demographics and an occasional sequin sprinkled throughout.
Along for the ride was Matthew Dear, who performed solo with a synthesizer and controls. His voice seemed to have a southern indie sound to Caleb Followil of Kings of Leon. His emotional delivery and down groove were complimentary to the headliner and caught the crowd's attention as they trickled in. He joked that his son misinterpreted his lyrics and then made the realization of how he was listening to a song about nitrous, alluding to his past life of partying.
After a brief intermission, the band made their way to the stage, comprised of Dan Africano on bass, Frank Orral, and Jeffrey James Franca on percussions, Rob Myers on guitar and sitar, and of course, one-half of Thievery Corporation, Rob Garza. The vocalists rotated and occasionally joined on stage, adding a nice variety. Mr. Lif's voice was upfront and full of conviction, Puma's flow was smooth and melodic, and Laura Vall's velvety sound was a complimentary feminine sound to the chill beats. Orral notably took the lead on the stage to sing "Welcome to My Starship" and swung an orb of light as the stage dimmed. The energy remained steady and the setlist meshed well together as the crowd bobbed their heads throughout the night.
Matthew Dear
Fousheé @ The Foundry at The Fillmore - Philadelphia
November 25th, 2024: Fousheé @ The Foundry at The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA
Fousheé | Photos Courtesy of: Elie Pichanick
American singer-songwriter, Fousheé, stopped in Philadelphia at The Foundry on Monday evening, while continuing her debut headline tour. The Pointy Heights tour was announced shortly after the release of her September LP, Pointy Heights. The musician has navigated through various genres, including R&B and punk, and rose to fame following the 2020 release of her viral song “Deep End”. Pointy Heights features ethereal songs such as “War” with its melodic harmonies, and “Feels Like Home” which evokes nostalgia through the lyrics and instrumentals. With “Fousheé” projected on the cascading curtains behind her, the artist stepped onto the checkerboard stage. Her band, including guitarist, Simon John, and drummer, Tobias Kelly, played alongside her, rocking through the electrifying set. Within moments of beginning to sing, Fousheé stepped off the stage and towards the barricade to be closer to her fans, who were singing along. The energized crowd held up flashlights while jumping up and down. While Fousheé’s dynamic discography provided some mellower performances, she energized the crowd with her unique stage presence, dancing and moving about the stage. Fousheé performed various songs from her Pointy Heights LP. The rock star closes her debut headline tour in Los Angeles, California on December 2nd at The Echo. You don’t want to miss the LA show of the Pointy Heights tour, but if you can’t make it, be sure to check out her work, and keep up with her as she continues to create captivating and groundbreaking music.
Dreamcatcher @ Kings Theater - NYC
November 2nd, 2024: Dreamcatcher @ Kings Theater - New York City, NY
Dreamcatcher | Photos Courtesy of: Em Yu
On Nov 2nd, kpop rock girl group Dreamcatcher graced the historic Kings Theater with their fiery and energetic presence. The renowned K-pop girl group has garnered a dedicated following thanks to their unique blend of rock, metal, and hauntingly beautiful vocals, and their Brooklyn show was no exception.
From the moment the lights dimmed and the first notes of “OOTD” reverberated through the venue, it was clear that Dreamcatcher’s approach to live performance is nothing short of spectacular. The crowd was immediately electric, chanting along in unison as the group launched into their dynamic setlist that contained both classic favorites like "Silent Night" to all the songs from the newest mini album "Virtuous."
The juxtaposition of Dreamcatcher's futuristic, dark fantasy-inspired aesthetic with the classic architecture created an enchanting atmosphere that drew fans deeper into the world they’ve so carefully crafted with each release. One of the most impressive aspects of Dreamcatcher’s show was the seamless blend of genres. Their music, which often melds metal and hard rock with the more traditional K-pop pop structure, offered something for everyone.
The group's lineup—comprised of members JiU, SuA, Siyeon, Yoohyeon, Dami, Handong, and Gahyeon—demonstrated flawless synchronization both vocally and physically. Their performances were full of intensity and precision, and each member showcased their talents with solo performances that left the audience in awe. Veterans of touring, Dreamcatcher has continued to come back to the US for their fans time and time again with a new experience each time.
Underoath @ Stubb's - Austin
November 18th, 2024: Underoath - They're Only Chasing Safety 20th Anniversary Tour @ Stubb’s - Austin, TX
Underoath | Photos Courtesy of: Bernadette Castillo
Underoath brought a sold-out show to Stubb’s for the 20th anniversary of the release of their album, They’re Only Chasing Safety. The vocalist, Spencer Chamberlain, referenced this as a dream of his since the album was released back in 2004 (and seeing mainstays Coheed and Cambria play a sold-out show in the same venue).
The set started with a really beautiful, slowed-down rendition of “Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape,” with drummer Aaron Gillespie singing as the rest of the members joined him on stage, one by one. That was the slowest song of the entire set; once they started playing “Young and Aspiring,” everyone's energy was non-stop and relentless. As I was standing in the photo pit, I was just completely mesmerized by being that close to guys of this calibre of musicianship… especially witnessing Gillespie drumming and being able to hear every beat he was playing, along with hearing Chamberlain’s powerful and effortless vocals. I was also reminded of how at the time this album was released, it was the heaviest thing I had heard on the radio as a young teen and how it blew my mind. Hearing singles from this band off of They’re Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line on Christian radio all those years ago was formative for me, so getting to photograph this band all these years later was truly something special.
Latto @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom - Chicago
November 12th, 2024: Latto, Mariah the Scientist @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL
Latto | Photos Courtesy of: Asia Austin
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern hip-hop, Latto is paving the way for herself as one of the top female MCs in the game. Last night, she had a sold-out show on her highly anticipated Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tour in Chicago, which was a testament to her meteoric rise and the deep connection she has cultivated with her audience. This event showcased her talent and highlighted her charisma and ability to engage fans, making it a night to remember.
Performing hits such as, “Brokey”, “Sunday Service”, “There She Go,” and Grammy-nominated “Big Mama”, the crowd was on ten from start to finish. Latto had several female backup dancers and large street signs paying homage to her home state of Georgia. The excitement was non-stop as she had Mariah the Scientist and Mello Bucks join her on stage and even included a birthday cash grab for one lucky fan who happened to be me.
In conclusion, Latto's sold-out show on the Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tour was a remarkable celebration of her artistry and connection with fans. Combining high-energy performances, a carefully crafted setlist, and engaging storytelling created an unforgettable experience. As Latto continues to rise in the music industry, her ability to connect with her audience will undoubtedly play a significant role in her ongoing success. The Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tour is not merely a chapter in her career; it is a powerful statement of her impact on the music scene and her commitment to her fans.
Mariah the Scientist
Cold War Kids @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville
November 9th, 2024: Cold War Kids, Husbands @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY
California indie rock band Cold War Kids brought their More 20 Years Tour to Mercury Ballroom on November the 9th, celebrating 20 years as a band! With a packed house, everyone was ready for a really fun night. Having been a band for two decades, Cold War Kids have a devoted fan base, as this evening proved, with fans packing out every inch of the venue. With a set list that included songs from their latest self-titled album (released November 3rd, 2023), such as “Run Away With Me” and “For Your Love”, as well as classic hits such as “Hang Me Up To Dry”, “Hospital Beds”, and “We Used To Vacation”, they performed a really fun and varied set list that spanned their extensive catalog and had everyone dancing and singing along! Aside from being a really incredible live band, singer/guitarist/pianist Nathan Willet really engaged with the crowd, giving the evening a really intimate feel.
Willet chatted a bit with the crowd between songs, early on saying “We are excited to be here for our 20 Year Tour. We’ve been here many times before! Let’s keep this rolling.” He later talked about the new album the band released last year and how they would be playing some new songs this evening-”we’re trying to cover all of the bases!”. Before performing “All My Love”, he dedicated the song to his 5 year old daughter, whom he said had been diagnosed with autism, and how it was tough and challenging but gave he and his wife a new outlook on life. Ending the show with a 2-song encore of “Something Is Not Right With Me” and “First”, they gave their fans an evening to remember! Opening the show this evening was indie surf rock band Husbands, hailing from Oklahoma City. They had really fun vibes and got the crowd nice and warmed up for the evening!
HUSBANDS
Leon Bridges @ The Met - Philadelphia
November 7th 2024: Leon Bridges, Hermanos Gutiérrez @ The Met - Philadelphia, PA
Leon Bridges - Photos Courtesy of: Carolyn Lederach
The week of November 4th had a heavy haze over it as America coped with the results of the 2024 election. Despite most of the city being in a depressed slump, The Met filled in anticipation for the 2nd night of Leon Bridge’s Philly shows. It was exciting seeing Leon’s audience grow with every album cycle and now playing 2 nights in his largest venue to date in Philly. Now touring in support of his 4th studio album, Leon, he has a large catalogue to work off of. The setlist did not disappoint, full of bangers that got the audience dancing and giving us a few hours to forget what else was going on in the world.
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Setlist
When a Man Cries
Panther City
Better Man
Flowers
Laredo
Coming Home
That’s What I Love
Never Satisfied
Mariella (Khruangbin & Leon Bridges cover)
Steam
Ain’t Got Nothing On You
Texas Sun (Khruangbin & Leon Bridges cover)
You Don't Know
Bad Bad News
If It Feels Good
Can’t Have It All
God Loves Everyone
River
Peaceful Place
Smooth Sailin'
Encore:
Lisa Sawyer
Beyond
Hermanos Gutiérrez
Mannequin Pussy @ Zanzabar - Louisville
October 18th, 2024: Mannequin Pussy with Margaritas Podridas @ Zanzabar - Louisville KY
Beloved Philadelphia punk/indie rock band Mannequin Pussy made a stop recently at Zanzabar on the second leg of their I Got Heaven Tour of the US. In their 14 years as a band, they have garnered a devoted following of fans, as showcased by their sold out show this evening. Zanzabar is also a bar, restaurant, and arcade, giving people plenty to do while they waited, with the stage/performance space being off the bar area in a separate room. Many fans lined up in the bar area before doors this evening (myself included), with the venue filling up quickly once doors opened. From front to back and side to side, there were fans filling every inch of the performance space with a fun and electric energy. The band released their latest album, I Got Heaven, this year and started off their set with “I Don’t Know You” from the album. As the band took the stage, the crowd went wild with enthusiasm and excitement-a long awaited moment for many finally happening! I could hear some people standing next to me talking about how it was their first time seeing the band and how happy they were, jumping up and down and singing and dancing as the band started playing.
The band is comprised of Marisa “Missy” Dabice (singer/guitar/bass/keys), Kaleen Reading (drums), Colins “Bear” Regisford (bass/vocals), Maxine Steen (guitar), and touring member Carolyn Haynes (keys/guitar/backing vocals). Dabice is a force to be reckoned with on stage, dancing, screaming, and engaging heavily with the crowd. She early on told the crowd that despite the stereotypes about KY, some of the most beautiful and creative people she had ever met were from KY and that she never judged people here by our political representatives (giving a big FU to Mitch McConnell). There were several moments during the show when she would lean into the crowd and sing with the fans, or hold the mic out for her fans to sing parts of songs, much to their delight. She talked quite a bit about many topics, from religion and how it is often used as a way to control people, to reproductive rights, to freeing Palestine, to the negativity surrounding the word pussy (and having everyone scream it). She talked also about how, despite all that is happening in the world, people are supposed to just swallow their anger and their rage, but how it’s not healthy to let it fester and sometimes you just have to let it out and scream. She then, in a very cathartic moment, directed everyone to scream as loud as they could! Towards the end of the set, Regisford gave a shout out to all of the Black and Brown members of the audience and their struggles, criticizing the poiice and saying how someday maybe we will all be free. Performing several songs from their new album, they also performed several older tracks such as “Denial”, “Anything”, “Everything”, “Emotional High”, and “Romantic”, which they ended their set with. It was clear after the last song that the crowd wasn’t ready to say goodnight, and a fan next to me was giddy with excitement when Dabice handed him set list that had her lipstick on it from where she had kissed it before the set started. Mannequin Pussy always put on a show filled with a fun and a furious energy that has everyone feeling good!
Opening the show was Margaritas Podridas, from Hermosillo, Mexico. They quickly got the crowd warmed up and dancing. Despite singing in Spanish, the music spoke for itself, blending the sounds of shoegaze, college rock, punk, and grunge. With driving guitar riffs from guitarist Esli Meuly, soft, yet powerful vocals from Carolina Enriquez, and pounding drums from Rafael Armenta, the band released their debut album Porcelain Mannequin in 2018, followed by their self-titled second album in 2021. They definitely received a warm welcome in Louisville this evening.
Margaritas Podridas
