Emily May 3/30/25 Emily May 3/30/25

ZZ Ward @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville

March 23rd, 2025: ZZ Ward, Liam St.John @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY

Singer-songwriter ZZ Ward brought her ‘The Dirty Sun Tour’ to Mercury Ballroom on March 23rd in support of her latest album Liberation (released March 14th), with the venue quickly filling up with fans of the bluesy, soulful singer. Whether seated in the balcony or standing on the main floor, Ward had her fans dancing and singing along throughout her set. She performed a nice mix of songs this evening for her fans and chatted quite a bit with the crowd during her set, saying early on, “I just put out a new album that I am really excited about called Liberation and have a great show planned for you this evening.” She went on to say how the album has a lot of original songs and covers of blues and soul songs that she wanted to pay homage to. Whether she was performing covers, such as “My Baby Left Me” by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, “Dust My Broom” by Elmore James, “Grinning In Your Face” by Son House, or “Sinner’s Prayer” by Ray Charles and B.B. King, or originals such as “Let It Burn”, “Liberation”, “Bag of Bones”, or “Lioness”, the crowd was loving every moment of her set!

Between many of the songs, Ward told stories that touched on her life and the meaning behind her songs, really connecting with her fans. She also talked about how much fun she had making Liberation and how she had wanted to go deeper into blues and soul for a while, having always tried to incorporate those sounds into her music somehow. She later said how great it was to be back in Louisville and how much she loves touring around the country in her bus. She then asked the crowd who had seen her live before and who was seeing her for the first time, thanking both sets of fans for being there that evening! It was clear that everyone was having a great time, both older and newer fans alike! Opening the show this evening was Nashville bluesy rock and roll artist Liam St. John, who, with his band, really got the crowd moving with their fun and electric energy!

Liam St. John

Photo Ladies 3/24/25 Photo Ladies 3/24/25

GloRilla @ Andrew J. Brady Music Center - Cincinnati

March 22nd, 2025: GloRilla, Queen Key, and Real Boston Richey @ Andrew J. Brady Music Center - Cincinnati, OH

GloRilla | Photos Courtesy of: Asia Austin

On March 22nd, GloRilla took the stage at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, OH for an electrifying sold-out show on her Glorious Tour, and it was nothing short of a spectacle. The anticipation in the air was unmistakable as the crowd packed into the venue, buzzing with excitement to witness what the night had in store.

The show kicked off with impressive energy from the openers, Queen Key and Real Boston Richey - both performances successfully managed to bring the crowd to life. GloRilla stepped onto the stage dressed in a stylish gold outfit that exuded both confidence and charisma, alongside her talented dancers which added to the hype. Her stage presence was undeniable as she performed hits such as “TGIF”, “Yeah Glo!”, “Whatchu Kno About Me”, and “F.N.F (Let’s Go” and her love for her fans did not go unnoticed as she serenaded one lucky fan on stage. GloRilla also included set transitions that included behind-the-scenes footage of her on the road, as well as motivational sessions with her sitting and discussing her upbringing, life, and her future with a therapist.

By the time she closed the show, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that GloRilla was a staple in the rap industry. She’s not just a rapper and MC, but a powerful artist with the ability to captivate an audience and leave them wanting more. Her sold-out show was an unforgettable experience—one that showed that she’s here to stay for the long run and left fans eagerly awaiting her next move. If you weren’t able to witness it, you definitely missed out on a night full of raw energy, amazing music, empowering speeches, and an artist fully owning her moment.

Photo Ladies 3/23/25 Photo Ladies 3/23/25

Armor For Sleep @ House of Blues - Chicago

March 13th, 2025: Armor For Sleep @ House of Blues - Chicago, IL

Armor For Sleep | Photos Courtesy of: Jetzi Calvin

Chicago was in good spirits last week—unseasonably warm and heading into a Full Moon weekend. The elder emos were out in full force, making their way to River North for Armor for Sleep’s anniversary tour stop. We gathered at the House of Blues, one of frontman Ben Jorgensen’s favorite venues, to celebrate 20 years of What to Do When You Are Dead—an album that became a rite of passage for any early 2000s kid who knew what it meant to drown in their sorrow.

A concept album that wrestles with the transition between life and death, What to Do When You Are Dead encapsulates the rawest depths of heartache and the sort of perpetual grief that lingers like a ghost, even after crossing over to the other side. Midway through the set, Ben pauses to reflect on what he was going through while writing the album, a time in life when he didn’t want to be here anymore. The crowd, a sea of nostalgia and lived experience responds by singing every lyric back to him, word for word.

Voices echo through the room, and the iconic House of Blues floor does what it’s famous for—bouncing beneath us, just enough to make your stomach drop for a split second. In that moment, time folds in on itself. The same fans who once clutched this album like a lifeline now stand together, older and wiser but just as connected to the songs that once saved them.

Carolyn Lederach 3/21/25 Carolyn Lederach 3/21/25

Sarah and The Sundays @ The Foundry - Philadelphia

March 18th 2025: Sarah and The Sundays @ The Foundry- Philadelphia, PA

Sarah and The Sunday - Photos Courtesy of: Carolyn Lederach

Austin’s Sarah and The Sundays kicked off the first night of their US tour in Philadelphia at The Foundry on March 18th 2025. As the band took the stage, a room full of eager fans were waiting to hear the latest from the band. Despite the first night of tour jitters, the band went off without a hitch, delivering a solid set mixed with bops we grew to love over the years, along with tracks off their latest album, Like a Damn Dog.

Setlist

Casanova

Coward

Miss Mar

Looking Dead at the Function

Are You Really Gonna Show Up Tonight

Ruby Fields

You Must Be Tired

Policy

Veneer

Pipe Down

Sweet Tooth

I'm So Bored

Kids (MGMT cover)

Skin and Bone

Cease

Afterlife

The Cue

Pulling Teeth

Moving On

Vices

Carolyn Lederach 3/18/25 Carolyn Lederach 3/18/25

Role Model @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia

March 14th 2025: Role Model, Debbi Dawson @ The Fillmore- Philadelphia, PA

Role Model - Photos Courtesy of: Carolyn Lederach

Debbi Dawson

Photo Ladies 3/3/25 Photo Ladies 3/3/25

ian @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville

March 2nd, 2025: ian @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY

If there’s anything you can expect from an Ian concert, it’s an energy-packed, high-volume, unforgettable experience. The 19-year-old rapper from St. Louis, MO took the stage at Mercury Ballroom in Louisville, KY and from the moment the music began, the crowd was locked in - ready to go, and Ian didn’t let up whatsoever.

Performing some crowd favorites such as 3.5, AirBnb, Hate Me, and Magic Johnson, Ian’s commanding stage presence, paired with impeccable delivery, had the audience roaring with every lyric nonstop. The connection between Ian and his fans was undeniable, which created an electric atmosphere throughout the venue and served as one of the loudest crowds I’ve heard in a while.

A memorable moment during the show included his producer Lucas on the piano, followed by Ian doing a quick transition into his song ‘3.5’. Although there were no openers for this show, Ian easily proved that his performance alone was enough to carry the entire night. With tonight’s show being Ian’s very first time in Kentucky, he was more than impressed by the energy the crowd gave him and I’m sure it won’t be too long before he returns to Louisville.

Ian’s love for his fans did not go unnoticed as he held a meet and greet before the show started, and came outside to meet fans waiting over an hour in the cold temperatures. There was never a moment where he didn’t express gratitude for all of the support, which made the night feel more personal. Overall, Ian’s concert was an experience that shouldn’t be missed. With his passion, talent, and infectious energy, it’s clear that he’s not going anywhere for a long time and I’m excited to see where his journey takes him.

Emily May 3/3/25 Emily May 3/3/25

Faye Webster @ Paristown Hall - Louisville

February 23rd, 2025 : Faye Webster, Mei Ehara @ Paristown Hall - Louisville, KY

Faye Webster | Photos Courtesy of: Emily May

Singer-Songwriter Faye Webster performed to a sold-out (or nearly sold-out) show at Paristown Hall on February 23rd. The line to get in was the longest line I have ever seen at this venue. Luckily there are three security lines to get in, making the wait much quicker than one would imagine! Performing a mix of genres that include indie-folk, alternative, modern R&B, and country, she has garnered an ever-growing and loyal fan base of adoring fans over the years. Webster released her latest album, Underdressed At The Symphony, in March of last year. She started out her set with two songs from the album, “But Not Kiss” and “Wanna Quit All the Time”, performing other new tracks that included “Lifetime”, “Tttttime”, and “Lego Ring”. She also performed older tracks such as “Right SIde of My Neck”, “Jonny”, and “Kingston”. With a stage production that mesmerized through beautiful, soft lighting, as well as an incredible band, she gave an amazing performance that did not disappoint! Japanese artist Mei Ehara opened the show with a captivating solo set!