Jordana @ Drake Underground - Toronto
February 20th, 2025: Jordana @ Drake Underground- Toronto, ON
Jordana | Photos Courtesy of: Peyton Mott
Underneath Toronto’s Drake Hotel, a thrumming bass travelled up the stairwell. The audience gathered affront the stage enjoying opener, Rachel Bobbit, counting down the minutes to Jordana’s debut.
The porcelain indie-pop artist, Jordana greeted the crowd with a coy smile before hopping right into the opening track, “We Get By” from her 2024 release. Fittingly to her cheeky lyricism, the set was full of connecting to the crowd with simple jokes to comparing what was in the water versus Canada and the United States. As well as the age-old question of the proper pronunciation of Toronto.
Jordana not only exemplified diverse pop perfection with layered vocoders but was also complete with tambourine dances and violin solos by the singer-songwriter. As she ran through the entirety of the recent record in order, Jordana tossed in a Steely Dan cover “Any Major Dude Will Tell You.” The room defied typical head-bobbing “too-cool” Toronto audiences, fans lined the room; one of which stood out, dancing and singing amongst the entire set pressed against the stage.
While TV Girl wasn't present throughout the Lively Premonition tour, that didn't stop Jordana from performing the breakout tracks from their collaborative album, “Summer’s Over” as an almost jitterbug-dancey encore.
Jordana’s (hopefully) impending return to Toronto is welcomed with open arms, clear by the smiling faces flushed red from joy rather than the polar vortex that awaited the fans outside the venue.
Rachel Bobbit
Bryant Barnes
Ian Fisher @ Zanzabar - Louisville
February 12th, 2025 : Ian Fisher & Band, Anna Smyrk, and Ian Abel @ Zanzabar - Louisville, KY
Singer-songwriter Ian Fisher and his band brought his Go Gentle Album Release Tour to Louisville, KY on February 12th, performing many of the songs from his recently released album Go Gentle. The album is both heartbreaking and beautiful, a tribute to his mother who died of cancer in 2023, as well as a moving commentary on death and grief. Although the crowd was modest on this rainy and cold Wednesday evening, it made the experience that much more intimate for those in attendance. Singing many songs from the new album this evening, such as “In Her Hand”, “Mother Please Forgive Me”, and “Tigress”, Fisher’s voice was both gentle and powerful, with him visibly embodying a range of emotions as he sang these songs. Although the songs at times had a somber tone, they were powerful in the emotions and messages they conveyed and Fisher and his band had fun together on stage and with the crowd. They even played an encore song at the insistence of the crowd, with Fisher asking with a laugh if we wanted something upbeat or if we felt like crying. Opening the show this evening was Ian Abel, a Louisville native who now lives in Nashville, who wowed the crowd with his rock/country vibe and, with his band mate Jesse, performed a short but lively set of songs that included killer covers of Heart’s "Alone” and The Cranberries’s “Zombie”. Australian artist Anna Smyrk performed, as well, with this being her first time in Kentucky and the U.S.. She really impressed with her beautiful voice and songs and will hopefully tour here again soon! It was a fun evening of music!
Anna Smyrk
Ian Abel
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.
