Cameron Whitcomb (with support from Ava Maybee) performing at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City on March 28, 2025. All photos taken by Betsy Brody.
Skegss | Tampa
Skegss (with support from Twen) performing at The Ritz Ybor in Tampa, FL on March 26, 2025. All photos taken by April Anderson.
Rio Romeo | Brooklyn
Rio Romeo performing at Baby's All Right in Brooklyn, NY on March 26, 2025. All photos taken by Olive Jolley.
ZZ Top | Tifton
ZZ Top performing at John Hunt Auditorium in Tifton, GA on March 26, 2025. All photos taken by Christoph Vega.
DWLLRS | Los Angeles
DWLLRS performing at The Echo in Los Angeles, CA on March 21, 2025. All photos taken by Samantha Wong.
Spencer Sutherland | New York City
The Drama, The Throne, The Dream: Spencer Sutherland’s Royal Night at Irving Plaza
Spencer Sutherland turned Irving Plaza into his own personal kingdom with The Drama tour. Opening with “Welcome to the Show,” the first track off his latest album, he immediately drew the crowd into his world — a place where Spencer Sutherland is wholly and unapologetically himself in the most vivacious and captivating way.
His stage presence was unreal — a whirlwind of jumps, kicks, and unrestrained emotion and contagious energy that enveloped Irving Plaza. A massive throne stood upstage, a nod to the dramatic theme of the tour, and Sutherland to enhance the fun, witty theatrics of the night. Jumping straight into the high-energy hit “Alive,” he had the entire crowd hyped, setting the tone for a night full of energy, emotion, and — fittingly — drama.
One of the evening’s most touching moments came after he performed “Melanie,” the first slower song of the set. As the final note faded, Sutherland took a breath, gazing out at the crowd with tears glimmering in his eyes. It was evident he was getting emotional, almost like it hit him that he’s no longer just a guy with a guitar trying to make it. Now, he’s standing in front of a packed New York City crowd, hearing them sing his lyrics back to him. It was an “I made it” moment — the kind of raw, unfiltered emotion that defines a true artist. There he stood, just him and his guitar, reflecting on how far he had come, with an entire NYC audience hanging on every word. It was real, it was raw, and honestly, it was breathtaking to witness.
Then, in true Spencer Sutherland fashion, he flipped the energy right back. Disappearing from the stage, he suddenly reappeared in the balcony, surprising everyone in the pit. From there, he sang “Modern Heartbreak,” —a personal favorite of mine— milking the drama with extra vocal runs before joking, “Well, this is The Drama tour,” like the self-aware king he is.
The night was full of surprises, including an unexpected yet explosive cover of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” which sent the crowd into a frenzy. In between songs, Sutherland kept expressing his love for New York, promising to come back every tour, and even jokingly thanked the crowd for choosing his show over “Jonas-con” happening the same day. After witnessing the genuine connection he had with the NYC audience, I believe it.
Spencer Sutherland didn’t just meet expectations — he shattered them. I already adored his music, but every song felt bigger, bolder, and more dynamic live. “Put Your Money on Me” became an instant new favorite. I heard it on the record when he released it, but watching it live gave it an entirely different energy.
Spencer Sutherland is an artist with superstar quality — a distinctive voice, a magnetic presence, and an unapologetic sense of self. He has a clear, confident artistic identity, and it’s easy to see why he’s on a rapid rise. I left Irving Plaza not just as a fan of his music but as a fan of the artist he is becoming. Wherever his journey takes him next, one thing is for sure — his New York fans, myself included, will be eagerly waiting.
Words and photos by Jessie Eshak
Last Dinosaurs | Philadelphia
Last Dinosaurs performing at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, PA on March 21, 2025. All photos taken by AnnaMarie Otor.
Pom Pom Squad | Dallas
Pom Pom Squad performing at Club Dada in Dallas, TX on March 23, 2025. All photos taken by Maia Tharp.
Mac Ayres | Seattle
Mac Ayres performing at The Crocodile in Seattle, WA on March 9, 2025. All photos taken by Christa Yaranon.
Fana Hues | Brooklyn
Fana Hues performing at Baby's All Right in Brooklyn, NY on March 19, 2025. All photos taken by Brandon Lu.
The Orphan The Poet | Philadelphia
The Orphan The Poet performing at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA on February 28, 2025. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
K.Flay | Atlanta
K.Flay performing at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA on March 19, 2025. All photos taken by Joanna Barronton.
Yot Club | El Paso
Yot Club performing at Lowbrow Palace in El Paso, TX on March 17, 2025. All photos taken by Isaac Nunez.
Killswitch Engage | Vancouver
Killswitch Engage (with support from Kublai Khan TX and Fit For A King) performing at Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, BC on March 19, 2025. All photos taken by Emma-Jane Dotchuk.
Ratboys | New York City
Ratboys performing at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City on March 12, 2025. All photos taken by Emily Teubner.
Glixen | Minneapolis
On Friday, March 7th, Minneapolis-based shoegaze band she's green took the stage at the 7th St Entry, delivering a performance that captivated both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Being a newcomer myself, I enjoyed watching the crowd slowly fall in love with their heavy bass-focused tunes that drew you right in. The quintet—vocalist Zofia Smith, guitarists Liam Armstrong and Raines Lucas, bassist Teddy Nordvold, and drummer Kevin Seebeck—have been making waves with their ethereal sounds and vibes.
Although they were playing as openers for Arizona band Glixen, they set the bar high for the night with an incredibly professional yet fun performance of their album full of dreamy melodies.
They opened with "Smile Again," a track that has become a crowd favorite. As "Tarmac" built into a powerful crescendo, Smith's longing vocals resonated deeply with the audience. Her presence on stage was so comfortable and she seemed to be having so much fun dancing around on stage, oftentimes joining her bandmates for certain sections of her songs. They all evidently have built a lot of trust with each other, and it created a seamless performance. she’s green also expressed being grateful to be able to play a hometown show, as they’d been out on the road for a bit. Although the weather was bitter cold, it was warm and glowy in the 7th Street Entry.
Throughout their performance, the band's chemistry was evident. Armstrong and Lucas' guitar interplay created an awesome, constant backdrop, while Nordvold's bass lines and Seebeck's drumming provided a solid foundation. Smith's vocals were heard loud and clear, effortlessly blending with the instrumentals to produce ethereal energy around the whole venue.
The band's gratitude towards their Minneapolis roots was palpable. A heartfelt shout-out from the band really drove home their appreciation for the local music scene. This sentiment resonated with the audience, fostering a sense of community throughout the performance. Everyone felt grateful to be part of an awesome evening. They ended their set with a group selfie with the crowd, and it was a perfect way to end the evening that blended the local music scene, with their up and coming success.
Also on the line up for the evening was headliner, Glixen. Glixen is a Phoenix-based alt-indie band that has a super hazy, unique sound that blends elements of shoe gaze and alternative rock. They captivated the audience, song after song and shared their gratitude to the attentive Minneapolis crowd.
Words and photos by Daniela Shella
A R I Z O N A | Los Angeles
A R I Z O N A performing at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA on February 28, 2025. All photos taken by Christa Yaranon.
Aaron Watson | Uncasville
Aaron Watson performing at Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT on March 1, 2025. All photos taken by Samantha Crowley.
Alex Sampson + Garrett Adair | Philadelphia
Garrett Adair and Alex Sampson performing at The Foundry in Philadelphia, PA on February 7, 2025. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
Jigitz | Brooklyn
Jigitz performing at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, NY on February 27, 2025. All photos taken by Inés Valencia.