Cub Sport (with support from Minor Poet) performing at The Foundry in Philadelphia, PA on May 28, 2019. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
The Japanese House | Atlanta
The Japanese House performing at Terminal West in Atlanta, GA on May 23, 2019. All photos taken by Emily Harman.
Greta Van Fleet | Rochester
Greta Van Fleet rocked the small, quiet town of Henrietta, New York on Wednesday, May 22nd while on their March of the Peaceful Army Tour. The night was sold-out with high expectations to be met, which of course happened. The four-piece young group is formed of twin brothers Josh and Jake Kiszka, their younger brother Sam Kiszka, and their longtime family friend Danny Wagner.
The Dome that night was filled with an energy I haven’t felt at a show in a very long time, which would only skyrocket the moment their set begun. Everyone of all ages in the crowd erupted with cheers the moment the group walked on stage as “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” by David Ruffin belted over the speakers. Josh welcomed the crowd to their set at this point by throwing roses into the crowd for fans to catch. Throughout their whole set you could see those lucky fans clutching them as they screamed every lyric.
After the official welcome, the band began to play “The Cold Wind,” which is off their debut studio album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army. Opening with this song further defined how talented these young musicians are and that their stage presence is unmatchable. Josh owned the stage as he effortlessly hit all his notes while Jake and Sam performed powerful riffs that shot a thrilling feeling throughout your entire body. This band will for sure make you want to dance along. Danny sealed the package by having hypnotizing beats backing up the sound. This would continue to grow throughout their whole set as they became more and more passionate about the music they were playing.
Following “The Cold Wind” was “Highway Tune,” which elevated the energy in the Dome to an immense level. Jake starts the song off with intriguing guitar riffs which got the crowd hyped up to hear the rest of the song. Danny then joins in with rhythmic cymbal hits as Josh lets out his signature scream. After a moment of silence, the group joins in all together to create the classic, yet alternative sound, that the band is known for. The crowd becomes visibly rowdy as the electric sound shoots through the venue and the three brothers dance around the stage to the iconic beats. Despite the great opportunity for amazing stage moments in this song, my favorite has to be when Jake and Sam play the guitar and bass in unison almost like they are battling in front of one another.
After that song ended, “Black Smoke Rising” followed. This was another song the crowd looked beyond excited to hear the moment the beginning chords rained through the venue. This song really showcased the talent behind Jake, the guitarist. There were moments in the song where he would elevate his guitar vertically and play the notes flawlessly. This portrayed very well how effortlessly, and beautifully, Jake plays his instrument.
Their set mostly consisted of songs from Anthem of the Peaceful Army and Black Smoke Rising. One of the most wholesome moments in the set that I noticed was as I watched them perform “You’re the One.” You could identify people in the audience holding each other close and swaying to the passionate lyrics within the song. During “Flower Power” we also got to see the extended talent of Sam as he satisfyingly smashed on his keys. They also have creative covers in their set, such as “Watch Me” by Labi Siffre and “The Music is You” by John Denver.
Being able to finally catch one of their shows showed me how truly talented the guys are behind Greta Van Fleet. Multiple stops on the North American leg of tour are sold out as it comes to an end, but they already have multiple dates and festivals planned for the future. I fully recommend on stopping in on one of their shows for a memorable, enjoyable, and fun night.
Words and photos by Lindsay Neilson.
Pink Sweat$ | Vancouver
Pink Sweat$ (with support from Raiche) performing at Fortune Sound Club in Vancouver, BC on May 22, 2019. All photos taken by Heather Fabia.
Sum 41 | Boston
Touring in support of their upcoming album, Order in Decline, Canadian rockers Sum 41 have spent the past month making their way across the United States playing in intimate venues on the No Personal Space Tour. Set for release on July 19th, Order in Decline will be the band’s most aggressive, most dynamic, and most personal album to date, so it was only fitting that this tour reflected that vibe. Sum 41 is comprised of musicians Deryck Whibley, Dave “Brownsound” Baksh, Tom Thacker, Jason “Cone” McCaslin, and Frank Zummo. On May 22nd, they spent their night performing a sold-out show in Boston, MA with support from fellow punk-rockers Assuming We Survive.
Originating from California’s Inland Empire, Assuming We Survive (also known as AWS) consists of lead vocalist Adrian Estrella, guitarists Phil Adams and Johnny Silva, and drummer Kris Pasos. The band’s dedication to their fans and their desire to connect with the audience and break down that “performer vs. fan” barrier is palpable, as Estrella “checks in” with the crowd throughout the set. Their energy is contagious - between Estrella’s raw, punchy vocals and sprightly stage presence, Adams’ and Silva’s dynamic riffs and electrifying solos, and Pasos’ heart-thumping drum lines, AWS set the bar high for supporting acts. Their set consisted of tracks from their 2018 Chapters EP, such as “Just So You Know,” “Make It Out Alive,” and “Tear Me,” as well as tracks from their 2016 full-length album All Roads Lead Home, including “Exit At The Door,” “Home Is Where The Heart Is,” “Open Water,” and “No Fairy Tale.” By the end of their set, the crowd was roaring and ready to go - there could not have been a better support act for this tour than Assuming We Survive.
Once it was time for Sum 41 to hit the stage, the lights dimmed and the crowd fell silent. Frank Zummo made his way on stage and took a seat on his throne, to the roaring applause of the sold-out venue. He started out the set with a few perfectly-timed, invigorating heavy hits on the drums and was soon joined by the rest of the band in a seamless transition to their 2002 hit, “Motivation.”
Throughout the night, Sum 41 performed a diverse selection of tracks spanning nearly two decades of discography. After “Motivation” came “The Hell Song” from the band’s sophomore album Does This Look Infected? followed by “King of Contradiction” and “Walking Disaster” from their fourth studio album, Underclass Hero. Fans were then treated to an older track, “Summer,” from the EP Half Hour of Power, released in the year 2000. It was at this point in the set where Whibley took a moment to thank the audience for being so supportive and joining them on this tour, recognizing the fact that many fans in the audience have been Sum 41 fans for many years and have seen the trials and tribulations of Whibley’s personal life - which was the main inspiration behind many of the songs on their most recent studio album, 13 Voices, released in 2016.
Following this short intermission, the quintet wasted no time moving onto the next track, and what better song to pump up the audience than “Out For Blood,” their first single off of Order In Decline? It took no time at all for the crowd to go wild, as the heavy-hitting bass lines, screaming guitar riffs, and angsty-but-catchy melodies combine to make this song one that is almost better experienced live than it is through your speakers.
Sum 41 kept the crowd on a constant adrenaline rush for the rest of the night, playing a handful of older tracks such as “Jessica Kill” off of Screaming Bloody Murder (2011), “Some Say,” “Moron,” and “No Reason” off of Chuck (2004), and “Over My Head (Better Off Dead)” off of Does This Look Infected? (2002). They also treated the audience to a second single off Order In Decline, titled “The People Vs…” which did not disappoint. For those who enjoy the heavier Sum 41 tracks, this song is right up your alley, and a good predictor of what’s to come with the next album - heavier, more aggressive vibes reminiscent of old-school metal.
Amidst the heart-thumping rhythms, stimulating guitar solos, and grungy vocals was one acoustic track - “With Me” off of Underclass Hero. The band took it down a notch to perform stripped-down and personal for just a few minutes, giving the audience time to really take in Whibley’s incredible vocal abilities and recognize his talent with words.
The night ended with a bang, as the band traveled back to the early 2000’s to dig up some of their most iconic hits. “In Too Deep,” and “Still Waiting” were amongst the closing tracks. “Fat Lip” was revealed as the encore, and every single fan in the venue had their feet off the ground. The fact that these incredibly talented musicians are still gaining followers via hits that they made nearly twenty years ago, as well as via music that they released just this year (and will be releasing in the future) is a testament to their hard work, resilience, ingenuity, and dedication to their craft. If you are looking to attend a concert with cushy seating, relaxing vibes, and a chill atmosphere, a Sum 41 show is not for you. If you are looking to attend a concert that will get your adrenaline pumping, in a place where all are welcome and all are heard, where you can feel the energy deep in your bones, then there is no question about it... you need to see Sum 41 on tour, right now.
Words and photos by Lisa Eggleston.
Aly & AJ | Philadelphia
Aly & AJ (with support from Armors) performing at Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA on May 21, 2019. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
Sylar | Portland
Sylar (with support from Varials) performing at Hawthorne Theatre in Portland, OR on May 21, 2019. All photos taken by Harper King.
Hozier | Jacksonville
Hozier performing at Moran Theater in Jacksonville, FL on May 21, 2019. All photos taken by Seth Kicklighter.
Secrets | Richmond
Secrets (with support from Awaken I Am) performing at The Canal Club in Richmond, VA on May 11, 2019. All photos taken by Emily Armitage.
Norman Music Festival | Norman, OK
Norman Music Festival featuring Flock of Pigs, Jabee, Josh Sallee, + more in Norman, OK on April 25 - 27, 2019. All photos taken by Colt Liles.
Andrew Belle | Columbus
Andrew Belle (with support from William Wild) performing at Rumba Café in Columbus, OH on May 19, 2019. All photos taken by Kayla Kreller.
The Greeting Committee | Atlanta
The Greeting Committee performing at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA on May 19, 2019. All photos taken by Chandler Bunzol.
Lolo Zouaï | Vancouver
Lolo Zouaï (with support from Jean Deaux) performing at Fortune Sound Club in Vancouver, BC on May 18, 2019. All photos taken by Heather Fabia.
Blessthefall | Charlotte
Blessthefall (with support from Glass Houses, Slaves, and Palisades) performing at Amos' Southend in Charlotte, NC on May 17, 2019. All photos taken by Heidi Brickhouse.
Blackbear | Vancouver
Blackbear (with support from Gashi and Elohim) performing at Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, BC on May 16, 2019. All photos taken by Heather Fabia.
The Drums | Orlando
The Drums performing at The Beacham in Orlando, FL on May 16, 2019. All photos taken by Seth Kicklighter.
Rodrigo y Gabriela | Boston
Rodrigo y Gabriela (with support from Hudson Taylor) performing at Orpheum Theatre in Boston, MA on May 15, 2019. All photos taken by Jonathan Sommer.
I Don't Know How But They Found Me | Philadelphia
I Don’t Know How But They Found Me (with support from Superet) performing at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, PA on May 13, 2019. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
Weathers | Dallas
Weathers performing at House of Blues in Dallas, TX on May 12, 2019. All photos taken by Kitty Jong.
Hunter Hayes | Philadelphia
Hunter Hayes (with support from Levi Hummon) performing at The Fillmore in Philadelphia, PA on May 10, 2019. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.