070 Shake @ First Ave - Minneapolis
February 9th, 2025: 070 Shake, Johan Lenox, Bryant Barnes @ First Ave- Minneapolis, MN
070 Shake | Photos Courtesy of: Juliet Farmer
On a bitterly cold Super Bowl night in Minneapolis, I wasn’t sure what the crowd would be like at the First Ave Mainroom. Sure, 070 Shake and her opening acts (Bryant Barnes and Johan Lenox) have an impressive collective fan base—but given the circumstances, I feared their usual crowd might not venture out. At first, it seemed likely. The crowd was thin for Lenox’s act as he started the night with his melodic and heartfelt songs, occasionally waving his arms in conductor fashion to communicate with the two strings players that shared the stage. Despite the size of the audience, Minnesota pride was heard loud and clear as Johan announced that the players were both local artists. It is a testament to their talent that I had no idea they weren’t with him every night of the tour.
The crowd thickened ahead of Bryant Barnes, who came on stage to the screams of a few girls somewhere in the middle of the room. Seemingly unfazed, it didn’t take Barnes long to flow confidently into his act, a certified lover boy whose passion could be felt.
By the time 070 Shake came on stage, it was obvious that no Super Bowl would keep her true fans away. The room was packed, and the excitement was palpable. 070 Shake stoked those flames of excitement with her entrance, spending the entirety of her first song behind a curtain, allowing her hulking silhouette to make her presence known. By the time she joined us in the flesh, her fans were practically foaming at the mouth, elated by her arrival. Her cinematic and dreamy music filled the room easily, commanding attention as it enveloped the crowd. She had us in the palm of her hand, and it remained that way for the duration. You could almost forget that outside was a Minnesota winter.
Johan Lenox
Bryant Barnes
Hippo Campus @ The Met - Philadelphia
February 1st 2025: Hippo Campus, Petey @ The Met- Philadelphia, PA
Hippo Campus - Photos Courtesy of: Carolyn Lederach
Petey
The Vaccines @ Union Transfer - Philadelphia
January 17th 2025: The Vaccines, Thus Love @ Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA
The Vaccines - Photos Courtesy of: Carolyn Lederach
The setlist balanced old fan favorites with fresh tracks from their latest album, proving The Vaccines’ ability to evolve while staying true to the sound that first made them indie rock darlings. The Vaccines hit the stage at Union Transfer on January 17th, bringing their signature blend of indie rock energy, catchy hooks, and infectious enthusiasm. With the venue packed and the anticipation growing, the British quartet delivered a performance as tight as it was electrifying.
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Setlist
Love to Walk Away
Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)
I Can't Quit
Post Break-Up Sex
Wetsuit
Your Love Is My Favourite Band
Discount de Kooning (Last One Standing)
The Dreamer
Headphones Baby
Jump Off the Top
No Hope
Handsome
Heartbreak Kid
Teenage Icon
I Always Knew
If You Wanna
All in White
Encore:
Sometimes, I Swear
Take It Easy
Lunar Eclipse
All My Friends Are Falling in Love
Thus Love
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
