Emily May 5/6/25 Emily May 5/6/25

Fontaines D.C. @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville

May 2nd, 2025: Fontaines D.C., Jadu Heart @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY

Fontaines D.C. | Photos Courtes of: Emily May

Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. brought their current US Tour to Louisville, Ky to a sold out crowd on May the 2nd. Under the looming threat of rain, a long line of fans waited outside the venue for the doors to open, hoping to secure their spot either near to stage or on the balcony once the doors opened. Coming out onto the stage to a crowd of cheering and screaming fans, Fontaines D.C. launched straight into their set, starting out with the title track from their latest album Romance (released on August 23rd of last year). Singer Grian Chatten brought a good energy to the stage, often moving across the entirety of it and engaging with as much of the crowd as possible. On several occasions, he held his mic stand out into the crowd for them to sing along with him and would often raise his arms and hands up in a sweeping motion, as if he was conducting an orchestra. With each raise of his arms and hands, the crowd would scream and/or sing along.

The band performed a varied set list that included newer songs, such as “Death Kink”, “Bug”, and “Sundowner”, as well as some earlier tracks, such as “Jackie Down The Line”, “Televised Mind”, “A Hero’s Death”, “Big Shot”, and “Roman Holiday”. The crowd sang their hearts out, at full volume, to every song and you could feel their love and excitement shining through, making for a really fun and special evening. The band did very little talking throughout the set, letting their music be the focus. Ending their set with “Favourite”, the band left the stage and came back out moments later to a roaring crowd for a 4-song encore. Starting the encore off with “In The Modern World”, they rounded it out with “Desire”, “I Love You”, and “Starburster”. It was a great evening of music that left the crowd buzzing long after the music stopped. Opening the show this evening was English group Jadu Heart, performing music that was at times melodic and etheric, while also giving rock vibes. Aside from the traditional guitar, drums, and bass, the band also incorporated synth sounds that sampled different genres, as well as violin, making for a really beautiful sound. They really had the crowd enthralled and dancing and were a nice start to the evening.

JADU HEART

Photo Ladies 4/30/25 Photo Ladies 4/30/25

Katie Gavin @ Massey Hall - Toronto

April 26th 2025: Katie Gavin @ Massey Hall - Toronto, ON

Katie Gavin | Photos Courtesy of: Peyton Mott

Within the sanctuary-esque walls of Massey Hall in downtown Toronto, the audience waited, seated and in anticipation, not only for headliner Lucy Dacus, but also the MUNA veteran Katie Gavin. On the “Forever is a Feeling” tour, Gavin debuted her first solo album live to the masses. The record is a complete contrast to her previous electro-pop musings, playing through the set with an acoustic guitar, fiddle, and hypnotic vocals.

During the second track of the night, “As Good As It Gets,” Gavin welcomed the colourful jasmine.4.t. to the stage. The pair shared a giggle as jasmine bounded onstage. The recording features the legendary Mitski, but the featured singer’s rendition of the second verse created a whole new meaning in the sonic environment. Gavin even threw in a bonus for the awe-struck crowd, with an unreleased track entitled “She Gives Me Feelings,” following the devastation of loving someone who doesn’t belong to her.

The masterful vocalist flexed her storytelling ability with lyrics depicting the stages of relationships and humanity, both romantic and otherwise.

Carolyn Lederach 4/2/25 Carolyn Lederach 4/2/25

JoJo @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia

March 28th 2025: JoJo @ The Fillmore- Philadelphia, PA

JoJo - Photos Courtesy of: Carolyn Lederach

JoJo’s March 28th performance at the Fillmore in Philadelphia was nothing short of electrifying. After years of navigating the music industry’s complexities, JoJo has indeed found her voice and delivered a setlist that was as dynamic as it was emotional. JoJo’s vocals were pitch-perfect, and there was an undeniable connection between her and the audience that felt both intimate and grand at the same time.

The blend of old hits and newer material was well-balanced, showcasing JoJo’s evolution as an artist. From the early 2000s hits like “Leave (Get Out)” and “Too Little, Too Late” to the more mature sounds of her latest tracks “Too Much to Say” and “Porcelin,” JoJo proved her versatility and ability to captivate listeners across a broad spectrum of her catalog. Not to mention the fact that she’s setting sail to a whole new crowd after the release of her best-selling memoir, Over the Influence.

Setlist

COff Again

Nobody

Baby It's You

Like That

Fresh New Sheets

Bad Habits

Gold

Think About You

Marvins Room (Drake cover)

Ready To Love

Start Over

Love Galore (SZA cover)

Weak (SWV cover)

Lose Control (Teddy Swims cover)

One Last Time

Too Much To Say

Leave (Get Out)

Too Little Too Late

Good Thing

Porcelain

Never Say Goodbye

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