Emily May 8/16/26 Emily May 8/16/26

Tori Amos @ The Louisville Palace - Louisville, KY

Tori Amos | Photos courtesy of: Emily May

Beloved singer/songwriter/pianist/composer Tori Amos brought her In Times Of Dragons US Tour to The Louisville Palace on August 10th to a (what appeared to be) nearly sold-out crowd, touring in support of her recently released 18th studio album In Times Of Dragons. Seeing a long line of fans excitedly waiting outside for the doors to open this evening let me know I was in for a fun night! As the lights dimmed, alerting the crowd that Tori’s set was about to start, the crowd, restless for her to come out, celebrated in a roar of cheers and applause. Tori came out onto the stage, hands clasped and bowing to her fans, before sitting down on her piano bench. She sat with her piano in front of her and an electric keyboard behind her, switching between the two at several points throughout the evening. Early in the set, she let it be known that it was her longtime touring bassist Jon Evan’s birthday, which earned him cheers and applause from the crowd! She also has three backup singers with her on this tour, creating some beautiful harmonies!

Although many artists tour with the same set list every night, Tori plays a different one each night, leaving the fans to anticipate what she might play! No matter what the set list is, though, you can be guaranteed an incredible live experience. She plays the piano and sings like the musical prodigy that she is, with her set this evening being nothing short of mesmerising. Starting out the set with “Fire To Your Plain”, she and her band performed several songs this evening from the new album, including “Shush”, “Stronger Together”, and “In Times of Dragons”. Much to the crowd’s delight, she also performed some of her cherished classics, including “Winter” (I got a little teary-eyed hearing this live, as it’s always been one of my favorites), “Silent All These Years”, and “Precious Things”, with “Precious Things” signalling the end of the pre-encore set.

After briefly leaving the stage, Tori and her band came back out for their encore to a roar of applause! Starting the set off with “Cornflake Girl”, there was a brief pause in music for a birthday cake to be brought out for Jon Evans, with Tori leading the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday To You”. They then performed a cover of Solomon Linda’s original Evening Bird’s cover of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” (the first time she’s played it live since 2014) and brought the evening to a close with “Pretty Good Year”. The evening was magical and full of a beautiful energy from the crowd, who clearly adore Tori and were having the best time hearing her perform. As a side note, whoever did Tori’s lighting deserves an award! It was stunning through her entire set, bathing her and her band in a kaleidoscope of colors. Baltimore indie-rock artist Bartees Strange opened the show this evening. Despite some early technical difficulties, he and the crowd took it all in stride, and he performed a great set that got the crowd warmed up for the evening.

Bartees Strange

Emily May 5/22/26 Emily May 5/22/26

Molly Tuttle @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville

May 14th, 2026: Molly Tuttle, Maggie Rose @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY

California Indie/folk/country artist Molly Tuttle brought her co-headlining tour with Nashville soul/country artist Maggie Rose, a short, 8-show run, to Mercury Ballroom on May 14th to a packed house! Both Rose and Tuttle have amassed large and loyal fan bases over the years and their music compliments each other’s beautifully. Fans filled the floor and balcony this evening, ready for a fun night of music from two amazing artists. Rose took the stage first this evening and really got the crowd moving from the first note. Singing a full set, she and her band performed a nice variety of songs from her catalog, including her newly released single “Red Shoes” and “Half Moon”, a song she wrote right after her son was born last year (under a full moon) and the hopes and dreams she has for him. She will be releasing her new album, Half Moon, in August of this year. She talked a bit about the experience of having her son and about being newly back to performing following her son’s birth. Along with her amazing backing band, Rose seemed at home on stage and showed genuine love for being back on the stage and for her fans in the crowd, thanking everyone for being here this evening. In watching her set, it’s easy to see why this Grammy-nominated artist is so beloved by her fans! Before leaving the stage, she and her band stood side-by-side and gave a bow to cheers and applause!

After a brief intermission, Tuttle took the stage to a roar of applause. Whereas Rose has a more soul/country/rock/r&b sound, Tuttle leans more towards bluegrass/americana/folk/country. She released her fifth studio album, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, in May of last year and performed a few songs this evening from the album along with several older tracks from her days with Golden Highway (her previous backing band). She also performed a fun cover of Jonie Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” that had the crowd singing along. Tuttle chatted quite a bit with the crowd between songs, telling stories and explaining song meanings, genuinely connecting with the crowd. She and her band engaged with each other frequently throughout the set and made sure the crowd was engaged and having a good time. Having won several awards throughout her career, she put on an incredible show that no doubt had her fans buzzing with energy long after the music stopped. To end the evening, Tuttle performed a 2-song encore of covers, with Rose invited back out on stage, with them performing The Rolling Stone’s “She’s A Rainbow”, as well as The Band’s “Up On Cripple Creek”. It was the perfect end to a delightful evening of music!

Maggie Rose

Emily May 5/5/26 Emily May 5/5/26

Biffy Clyro @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville

April 29th, 2026: Biffy Clyro, Raue @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY

Biffy Clyro | Photos Courtesy of: Emily May

Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro brought their FUTIQUE TOUR to Mercury Ballroom on April 29th to a modest but incredibly excited room of fans. To be fair, it was Derby week and there was A LOT going on in the city! There was a palpable energy buzzing around the venue this evening, for sure! On September 19th of last year, the band released their tenth studio album Futique, and the band performed several tracks this evening from the album, including “A Little Love”, “Hunting Season”, “Friendshipping”, and “Two People In Love”. They also performed several older fan-favorites such as “Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies”, “Who’s Got A Match”, “The Captain”, and “That Golden Rule”. Alternating between a platform at the back of the stage and the front of the stage, singer/guitarist Simon Neil gave a high energy performance for the crowd and the crowd matched his energy by singing their hearts out to each song. There were a few moments during the set when Neil would stop singing during certain parts of a song and have the crowd sing for him. They did not disappoint and sang every word in unison. I always find it really special to witness moments like that, when you can feel how special a band is to their fans. I witnessed several fans in the crowd who looked as though they were having the best night of their lives. Like they couldn’t believe they were finally seeing Biffy Clyro live and were ecstatic about it. And Neil had a grin on his face during each of those moments, seeming to bask in the love the band was receiving from their fans. Performing a 21-song set list, 5 of which being a lengthy encore, Biffy Clyro gave their fans a night to remember! Opening the show this evening was San Diego duo Raue, who acknowledged they were there to warm up the crowd and familiarize everyone with their music! At times leaning towards a heavier, more punk rock feel, and other times a softer, more melodic feel, they really got the crowd energized and ready for the evening ahead! I feel like they are really a band to watch so make sure to check them out!

Raue

Emily May 5/4/26 Emily May 5/4/26

Hail The Sun @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville

April 25th, 2026: Hail The Sun, Foxy Shazam, Makari, and Resilia @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY

Hail the Sun | Photos Courtesy of: Emily May

California post-hardcore band Hail The Sun brought their CUT.TOUR.FADE.BACK US Tour to Mercury Ballroom on April 25th to a packed house! The energy that was buzzing around the venue this evening was full of excitement and anticipation for a fun night ahead, with fans packing out the floor and balcony as more and more filed into the venue throughout the evening. On October 24th of last year, the band released their 7th studio album entitled cut.turn.fade.back, performing several songs from the album this evening, including “The Drooling Class”, “Consumed With You”, “Relapse Is A Love Affair”, and “War Crimes”. With a raised platform that ran along much of the front of the stage this evening, singer/drummer Donovan Melero made good use of it. From the second the band came out on stage, he was a whirlwind of energy, dancing across the stage, throwing his mic around and catching it, and engaging with the crowd, who were matching the band’s energy with their own! Towards the end of the set, their tour drummer Allen Casillas stepped off stage, and Melero hopped behind the drum kit for “Ow! (Splidao!) I Like It, Though” and “MIssed Injections”. With incredible lighting (kudos to whoever does their lighting!) and a high-energy and engaging performance, the band gave their fans 110%, and the fans delivered that energy right back! Opening the show this evening were Florida post-hardcore band Resilia, Florida rock band Makari, and Ohio glam/alternative rock band Foxy Shazam.

Foxy Shazam

Makari

Resilia

Emily May 4/23/26 Emily May 4/23/26

Puscifer @ The Louisville Palace - Louisville, KY

April 21st, 2026: Puscifer, Dave Hill @ The Louisville Palace - Louisville, KY

Puscifer, the Los Angeles rock band led by Maynard James Keenan (Tool/A Perfect Circle) and which features long-time collaborators Carina Round and Mat Mitchell, brought their Normal Isn’t Tour to The Louisville Palace on April 21st, with comedian/actor/musician Dave Hill opening the show. The project is considered by Keenan be his creative subconscious, with each tour allowing the fans to dive into the world he creates with each album. This tour celebrates the band’s latest album Normal Isn’t, which was released on Februaury 6th. The album sees Keenan appear as his goth alter ego Bellendia Black and Round as Fannie Grey, with both performing in their costumes and make-up and playing out a tension between the two on stage, with each of them mid-set shooting at each other with toy guns. There were a few moments like this throughout the set, with Keenan and Round engaging in humorous antics, with the crowd loving every moment. The very start of the set saw a video play with Keenan and Round, acting as their alter-egos, telling the crowd to keep their phones put away and that taking photos or video was strictly prohibited. In a bit of cheeky humor, with which the fans were good sports about, they asked the crowd three times to repeat “We understand” in response to the rule. And from what I could tell, no one violated the rule throughout the evening. It’s a rare occurance, but a refreshing one, to attend a concert where no one has their phones out and are fully engaged with the performance!

The stage was set up with two platforms at the back, one on each side, and a set of stairs running down the middle, allowing Round and Kennan to alternate between standing on the platforms and moving about the front of the stage. The lighting was really nice, with the different colors and tones almost matching the tension of the performance. Sometimes the lighting was deeper and had harsher tones and sometimes it was a bit brighter or softer. Throughout the set, the screen behind the stage was lit up with different colorful representations of the Puscifer logo, as well as a pre-recorded video skit which played into the theme and alter-egos of the tour. It also alerted the crowd when it was time for a brief intermission. The extensive 18-song set was heavy on songs from the new album, as well as some older favorites such as “Bullet Train to Iowa”, “The Arsonist”, “Conditions Of My Parole”, “Momma Sed”. The band ended the night with “A Public Stoning”, which saw Dave Hill return to the stage to join in. Puscifer always puts on a great show with an incredible and creative stage production, giving their fans an experience they won’t soon forget! And what an experience it is, getting to take a dive into Keenan’s creative subconscious for a bit!

Dave Hill

Photo Ladies 10/19/25 Photo Ladies 10/19/25

Jesse McCartney @ The Louisville Palace - Louisville

October 10th 2025: Jesse McCartney, Ana Sky @ The Louisville Palace - Louisville, KY

Jesse McCartney | Photos Courtesy of: Asia Austin

On Friday, October 10, 2025, pop icon Jesse McCartney took the stage by storm at the Louisville Palace. It’s not every day that an artist from the early 2000s walks on stage and immediately reminds a crowd exactly why they fell in love with him in the first place. But Jesse McCartney’s ‘Weightless Tour’ does just that, leaving everyone with lots of nostalgic memories. The night was a seamless blend of both old hits, including crowd favorites such as “Beautiful Soul”, “How Do You Sleep”, and “Leavin”, as well as newer songs from his Weightless EP.

McCartney, now a seasoned performer, brought warmth, lots of charisma, and vocal precision to every single song while managing to balance his boy-band-era charm with a more reflective stage presence. With a diverse crowd of longtime fans and younger, newer listeners, it was no secret that Jesse’s legacy has only gotten better with age. In between songs, Jesse spoke candidly about fatherhood, change, and letting go—offering some heartfelt context to the thematic arc. He also took the time to bring a lucky fan on stage to serenade during “Party For Two”.

This show proved to be a joyful walk down memory lane, leaving fans happy and lighthearted, but also a reminder that Jesse McCartney is here to stay for the long run.

Ana Sky

Emily May 10/19/25 Emily May 10/19/25

Franz Ferdinand @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville

October 11th, 2025: Franz Ferdinand, Master Peace @ Mercury Ballroom - Louisville, KY

On October 11th, Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand brought round 2 of their Fall 2025 tour to Mercury Ballroom to a nearly sold out crowd of fans, with this being the last stop of the tour! The crowd was buzzing with energy and ready for a fun night ahead! In January of this year, the band released their sixth studio album, The Human Fear, from which they performed several tracks that included “Black Eyelashes”, “Audacious”, “The Doctor”, and “Build It Up”, as well as many older tracks. There were songs for older and newer fans alike that had the crowd screaming their hearts out along with the band. Franz Ferdinand is a dynamic live band that gives 100% to their fans. Singer/guitarist Alex Kapranos was at ease on stage, chatting with the crowd and moving all around the stage in a whirl of energy, jumps, and high kicks, often in sync with his band mates. The energy on stage, as well as in the crowd, was euphoric, with fun being had by the crowd and the band alike. Performing a 20-song set list, the last 4 of which were the encore, they kept the crowd dancing all night! Opening the show this evening was British alternative/rock/pop artist Master Peace (Peace Okezie), who got the crowd nice and warmed up for the night ahead! He even came back out on stage towards the end of Franz Ferdinand’s set to sing “Hooked” with the band! It was a great night all around!

Master Peace

Emily May 10/19/25 Emily May 10/19/25

Felly @ Headliners Music Hall - Louisville

September 23rd, 2025: Felly, John-Robert, and Mills @ Headliners Music Hall - Louisville, KY

Connecticut-born and LA-based singer/songwriter/record producer Felly (Christian Robert Felner) brought his For The Crows Fall Tour 2025 to Headliners Music Hall on September 23rd to a modest but passionate crowd of fans! Having just released his latest album, Ambroxyde, he and his band performed several new songs from the album, including “Ambroxyde” and “Song For The Crows”, and played some older hits, as well. Whether it was newer songs with a more indie rock sound or older rap/hip hop hits, he and his band had the crowd singing, dancing (I saw one girl twerking!), and having a great time. It was a party on stage, with the band in high spirits, as well as in the crowd! Felly chatted quite a bit with the crowd, telling them early on, “This is the first stop of the tour! I’ve never played KY before! I was told I have no fans in KY, but here you are!”. He talked about how, after making music for 10 years, it was hard to make a set list for the tour. Everyone seemed happy with the song selections, though! The band played a 25-song set list that kept the fans buzzing with energy all night! Opening the show this evening was KY singer-songwriter Mills (Mills Turner) and VA indie-folk singer-songwriter John-Robert. It was a really fun evening of great music and good vibes!