Jawdropped performing at The Echo in Los Angeles, CA on May 3, 2026. All photos taken by Valerie Loeblich.
Rolling Loud | Orlando
Rolling Loud is back! Rolling Loud, the world’s largest hip-hop music festival, is back for the year 2026 and was no short of an amazing experience. This year marks a stark change in Rolling Loud’s usual repertoire, as it is the second time the festival will only appear in the United States. Nonetheless, this year’s festival features a star-studded lineup of the rap game’s biggest names, along with today’s rising stars within the genre, Don Toliver headlining Rolling Loud for the first time. The May 2026 weekend in Orlando is something old fans and newcomers alike will not forget.
Most notably, the headlining act Don Toliver delivered one of the festival’s most anticipated performances of the weekend, tearing through fan-favorite tracks from across his catalog as fans moshed about the Under Armour Stage. Accompanied by intense pyrotechnics, immersive visuals, and relentless crowd energy, the festival reached another level, switching gears each night, sending the audience into maximum overdrive.
Throughout the weekend, many of the other artists felt that Rolling Loud was a return to basics! Featuring many underground/rising artists, like Esdeekid, SoSoCamo, and Snow Strippers, this festival marks a stark contrast to the usual star-studded lineup many fans have been accustomed to over the years. However, the energy and vibe remain, and in this writer’s opinion, the change is much welcomed.
Beyond the performances, Rolling Loud offered a fully immersive fan experience through an energizing lineup of interactive activations from fashion, lifestyle, and culture. Festivalgoers explored The Loud Theater, where fans got a chance to preview a trailer for the upcoming film Rolling Loud the Movie ahead of its nationwide theatrical release later this year. Some may remember that during Rolling Loud’s 10-year anniversary in 2024, Travis Scott, in a now-viral moment, brought out Owen Wilson during his set. This will be featured in the film, alongside appearances by major figures in modern hip-hop. Fans also gathered at Under Armour’s experience, which featured workout areas, cooling pods, hydration stations, and fan giveaways that definitely helped attendees avoid passing out and stay festival-ready. Elsewhere, a skatepark delivered a personal skate destination for fans, while the Hennessy Social Club provided amazing views overlooking the main stage from its huge second-story level. Rolling Loud never fails to bring the vibe beyond the stage, further expanding the festival atmosphere beyond the music itself.
Rolling Loud 2026 was such a successful transition into a new wave of hip-hop that, at the time of writing, the festival has already confirmed it will run it back next year, 2027, in Orlando. Rolling Loud, yet again, cements itself as a premier music festival that all music lovers, particularly hip-hop, should not miss, and Unclear Magazine cannot wait for what they have in store for us next.
Words and photos by Ryan-Samuel Borromeo
Arkells | New York City
Arkells performing at Racket in New York City on May 2, 2026. All photos taken by Julie Hubschman.
Maya Hawke | New York City
Maya Hawke performing at Bowery Ballroom in New York City on May 2, 2026. All photos taken by JoAnn Snavely.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra | Portland
Unknown Mortal Orchestra performing at Revolution Hall in Portland, OR on April 30, 2026. All photos taken by Maddie Stellingwerf.
The Kid LAROI | Fort Lauderdale
The Kid LAROI performing at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, FL on April 27, 2026. All photos taken by Ryan-Samuel Borromeo.
The Black Keys | Atlanta
The Black Keys (with support from Miles Kane) performing at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA on April 27, 2026. All photos taken by Alyssa Hudson.
The Last Dinner Party | Brooklyn
The Last Dinner Party performing at Brooklyn Paramount in Brooklyn, NY on April 26, 2026. All photos taken by Amy Guo.
PinkPantheress | Miami Beach
On April 26, 2026, the iconic Fillmore Miami Beach theater hosted an absolutely smashing evening with the UK’s favorite pop-girly, PinkPantheress (Pink), as part of her “An Evening with PinkPantheress” tour. Of British origin, PinkPantheress makes a triumphant return to the tour scene, and it was nothing short of electric. Before the doors even opened at the Fillmore, fans were ecstatic to see their favorite artist. Fans flooded the Miami Beach venue, dripping in Pink’s iconic plaid aesthetic, often featured in her music videos and previous live performances.
When Pink finally took the stage, the performance was filled with screams from clamoring fans from start to finish. In recent memory, PinkPantheress has experienced a sudden resurgence in popularity, especially on social media, with her iconic “Stateside” remix featuring Zara Larsson being used by gold-medal ice figure skater Alysa Liu. The now-prominent figure skater has taken the internet by storm with her Exhibition Gala, and, in a similar fashion, PinkPantheress opens her show with the iconic track. The rest of her set featured many of her other iconic tracks, including “Illegal” and “Nice to Meet You.”
Overall, an Evening with PinkPantheress was an evening Miami won't forget for a long time, especially amongst her Florida fans. This tour is a must-see for all pop fans. Pink continues to leave her best on stage for them, and we can’t wait for what she has in store for us next.
Words and photos by Ryan-Samuel Borromeo
Lexa Gates | Philadelphia
Lexa Gates performing at Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia, PA on April 25, 2026. All photos taken by Daniel Krause.
New Constellations | Brooklyn
New Constellations performing at Brooklyn Paramount in Brooklyn, NY on April 24, 2026. All photos taken by Lexi Yob.
Zinadelphia | Philadelphia
Zinadelphia performing at Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA on April 24, 2026. All photos taken by Callie Fitzgibbon.
Miss Grit | New York City
Miss Grit performing at Night Club 101 in New York City on April 24, 2026. All photos taken by Ryan Meehan.
Grace Ives | Minneapolis
Grace Ives performing at 7th St Entry in Minneapolis, MN on April 23, 2026. All photos taken by Juliet Farmer.
Lake Street Dive | Tallahassee
Lake Street Dive (with support from Jackie Evans) performing at The Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park in Tallahassee, FL on April 23, 2026. All photos taken by Josie Liederman.
Fit For An Autopsy | Buffalo
Fit For An Autopsy performing at Buffalo RiverWorks in Buffalo, NY on April 21, 2026. All photos taken by Kayla Kreller.
The Happy Fits | Athens
The Happy Fits performing at Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA on April 20, 2026. All photos taken by Joanna Barronton.
Dayseeker | Huntington
There was no slow start to night one of Dayseeker’s Pale Moonlight Tour this past Saturday in Huntington, New York. As I walked through the doors and up the stairs of The Paramount, the energy of the room captivated me immediately, the fans loud and eager, as if the show had already begun.
As the lights dimmed, the crowd exploded, as if they had been waiting forever for this moment. Words appeared on the screen as a dark introduction to the music about to be played, surrounded by red and black visuals with a ring of fire. It was clear things were about to get intense, and the crowd did not hesitate to match that energy.
Voices of the fans rose just as quickly as Rory Rodriguez began to sing the lyrics. The pit opened up early, and crowd surfing was nonstop. By the third song, Silent Planet came out to join them on “Dreamstate,” and the crowd went absolutely insane; you could barely hear the singing over the screaming and excitement from the fans.
From the floor all the way up to the balcony, you could hear the voices of people who had clearly been anticipating this tour. The most important part of a show is how a band connects with its fanbase, and Dayseeker did not fall short of that for one second. The crowd was so loud that it truly felt like they were part of the performance itself.
That energy never let up, even during the slower songs. The pit even stayed open during their mellow moments, with people dancing together while holding up the flashlights on their phones. And then, as soon as the set picked back up and the band took control again, the crowd snapped right back into it.
It was honestly wild to witness, at one point, a fan crowd-surfing in a banana costume while the Macarena broke out in the middle of the mosh pit. It didn’t make sense, but it somehow fit the vibe. I love a good mosh pit and crowd surfing, and this crowd made it hard not to want in. Even without being fully familiar with the music, the energy was convincing enough to make me want to throw down my camera and jump in anyway.
The visuals on stage matched the energy the band wanted to captivate perfectly. Between the fiery reds and dreamlike blues and pinks, each song had a backdrop and, at times, on-screen lyrics that reflected the intensity onstage. The entire aesthetic felt cohesive and intentional.
What stood out most to me about Dayseeker is the vulnerability that runs through their performance and how well it translated into a connection with their audience. Rodriguez spoke openly about a song that helped him cope with the loss of his father, and how many years ago the band was playing to almost no one, struggling to even sell out hometown shows, before expressing how grateful he is to be where they are now. Those moments alone, honesty felt like a major reason the crowd connected with them so deeply. It’s why people go as hard as they do from start to finish.
Not being fully tapped into this genre going in, I can’t say I walked in knowing exactly what to expect from Dayseeker or their fanbase. But I left feeling connected to the show in a way that mirrored seeing one of my favorite bands, fully immersed in the energy between artist and audience for the entirety of the set.
Words and photos by Angel Moon
Ritt Momney | Brooklyn
Ritt Momney (with support from Mercury) performing at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY on April 19, 2026. All photos taken by JoAnn Snavely.
RAYE | Philadelphia
RAYE (with support from Absolutely) performing at The Met in Philadelphia, PA on April 19, 2026. All photos taken by Callie Fitzgibbon.