Franklin Jonas performing at The Foundry in Philadelphia, PA on July 23, 2023. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
YUNGBLUD | Atlanta
YUNGBLUD (with support from The Regrettes and Games We Play) performing at Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta, GA on July 27, 2023. All photos taken by Alyssa Hudson.
Greta Van Fleet | Nashville
Greta Van Fleet performing at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN on July 24, 2023. All photos taken by Elizabeth Marsh.
ILLENIUM | Indianapolis
“Nothing can hold us down.” Being amidst electronic dance music (EDM) and rave culture at ILLENIUM’s tour stop in Indianapolis was memorable to say the least. There was a sense of community with the pure love for music uniting individuals from all backgrounds. Everyone was highly encouraged to be unique and different than all the rest. Many chose to express their creativity and individuality through their eccentric outfits. A sea of jerseys flooded the venue with ILLENIUM and the number three stitched onto the back of each one, the same number he used to wear during lacrosse in high school. The energy exuding from the crowd was that of good vibes and acceptance, which aligns with the main rave philosophy: Peace, Love, Unity, Respect (PLUR). The camaraderie of the crowd was a safe space for all to escape from the real world for just a few hours. On all three screens, ILLENIUM’s logo was spinning around as the crowd was getting amped up for the show ahead.
ILLENIUM’s logo is a Phoenix which represents an immortal bird in Greek mythology that is reborn. The Phoenix symbolizes his past struggles with addiction, and his ability to rise from the ashes and transform into the person he is today. Music was his savior, and pulled him out of the dark depths of addiction. Creating music brings him peace, and allows him to process his emotions in a healthy way. ILLENIUM’s music in turn uplifts those who listen, and positively impacts the lives of countless individuals in unimaginable ways. Even in the live music environment, it was clear the vulnerability of ILLENIUM’s songwriting hit deep within and affected how his supporters viewed the world. ILLENIUM had cooked up an unforgettable setlist that had everyone on their feet and burning up the dance floor.
“Indianapolis are you f— ready?” shouted ILLENIUM into the microphone during “Gold (Stupid Love).” He went back to playing guitar, and as the beat dropped the entire pit threw their hands into the air. Fireworks were set off creating an array of colors, and flames shot up into the air from the stage releasing such a high level of heat it could be felt throughout the venue. The most chilling moment of the night was during “Good Things Fall Apart” as the crowd sang the chorus, and their voices echoed throughout the amphitheater. The details of the visuals projected on the screen behind ILLENIUM’s platform truly brought the entire performance to life even further. As the guitarist made his way to center stage for “Shivering,” visuals of the Arctic appeared to emphasize the lyrics of the track. The lightning strikes on the screen matched the lasers vigorously moving about the stage as the violinist delivered an exquisite performance during “Fragments.” Fan favorites of the night included “Lifeline” with live instrumentation out of this world, and the opportunity to sing “Anti-Hero” with a venue full of people compared to singing it alone in the car on the daily.
ILLENIUM has had quite the journey to get where he is today, but it can go without saying he is meant to be a songwriter, producer, and performer. His perseverance and dedication to his music and to Illenials, his fans, sets him apart from many artists. ILLENIUM’s talent shines through even further with his storytelling, and his ability to create and put on a live show in such a large capacity. The “ILLENIUM LIVE” tour launched a new chapter, and it was one for the books. Milestones were reached and an everlasting imprint was made on every tour stop, especially Indianapolis. ILLENIUM will continue to rise like a Phoenix with Illenials by his side for the foreseeable future.
Words by Brittany Ormiston
Photos by Everly Ormiston
Declan McKenna | Brooklyn
Declan McKenna (with support from Eli Smart) performing at Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn, NY on July 20, 2023. All photos taken by Michaelah Reynolds.
Regina Spektor | London
Regina Spektor performing at Royal Festival Hall in London, UK on July 16, 2023. All photos taken by Jenny Luo.
TWINSICK | Chicago
TWINSICK performing at PRYSM Nightclub in Chicago, IL on July 15, 2023. All photos taken by Emma Zanger.
Barenaked Ladies | New York City
Barenaked Ladies (with support from Five for Fighting and Del Amitri) performing at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City on July 12, 2023. All photos taken by Samantha Crowley.
Matt Schneider | New York City
Matt Schneider performing at The Bowery Electric in New York City on July 14, 2023. All photos taken by Elizabeth Feirstein.
T-Pain | New York City
T-Pain (with support from Tobi Lou and NandoSTL) performing at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City on July 11, 2023. All photos taken by Samantha Crowley.
Shania Twain | Mansfield
Let's Go Girls — Shania Twain Rocks New England
Pre-pandemic, concerts were a more collective experience of joy. A night more akin to a church or temple than individual. Post-COVID, has been anything but. Shania Twain’s Queen Of Me tour appears to be one of a limited number of exceptions.
It's more like The Eras Tour than anything since 2020, with stunning visuals, rabid fans sharing in the collective joy of the female icon and legendary songs to go with.
In Mansfield, MA last week, Twain tore through her catalog of hits — old and new. Her vocals, despite criticism at some shows, sounded fantastic. From the moment she emerged, kicking the concert off amid the croud, her and her band did all the little things right.
No matter where you focused, there were moments of joy — big and small — bringing people together in the name of music. No small accomplishment in an era where artists are inundated to take BeReals or selfies with individual fans at each show.
Words and photos by Brent Goldman
Weezer | Queens
Weezer performing at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY on July 13, 2023. All photos taken by Samantha Crowley.
Balance and Composure | Queens
Balance and Composure performing at Knockdown Center in Queens, NY on July 8, 2023. All photos taken by Janae Stewart.
black midi | Nashville
black midi performing at The Basement East in Nashville, TN on June 26, 2023. All photos taken by Elizabeth Marsh.
Big Time Rush | Holmdel
Big Time Rush performing at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on June 30, 2023. All photos taken by Alexis Marzo.
Metric | Chicago
Metric performing at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, IL on June 27, 2023. All photos taken by Emma Zanger.
greek | New York City
greek performing at Racket in New York City on June 24, 2023. All photos taken by Janae Stewart.
Joseph | New York City
Joseph performing at Irving Plaza in New York City on June 22, 2023. All photos taken by Samantha Crowley.
The Backfires | New York City
The Backfires performing at Bowery Ballroom in New York City on June 24, 2023. All photos taken by Elizabeth Feirstein.
boygenius | Pittsburgh
boygenius (with support from Claud) performing at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, PA on June 20, 2023. All photos taken by Kayla Kreller.