Blondshell Brings If You Asked For A Picture to Pittsburgh
By Phoebe Ringler
Blondshell, an alternative/indie singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, played a breathtaking show at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA, on November 21st. The singer-songwriter is currently touring in support of her May album, If You Asked For A Picture, and Pittsburgh was one of the last stops on her US leg. Bringing liveliness and excitement to the city through her powerful vocals and stage presence, the show was one to remember.
As fans filled in the venue and got prepared for the show, Colatura, a band originally from Brooklyn who recently relocated to Pittsburgh, took the stage. Through their indie/dream pop sound, they set the tone of the rest of the show. I had previously listened to several of their releases before the show and thought that they were an absolutely perfect match to play alongside Blondshell. They showcased songs from various releases throughout their set, pumping up the crowd for the remainder of the night with emotional lyrics and smooth vocals.
Following Colatura’s compelling performance, it was time for Blondshell to hit the stage. The audience was immediately absorbed in the music and appeared to know the lyrics by heart. Each instrument involved in the performance flowed together perfectly in every song, enthralling the crowd. She played tracks from all across her discography, but made sure to highlight her new album release, If You Asked For A Picture. The show began with a track from the new album titled “23’s A Baby,” which is one of my personal favorites from the album, as it has meaningful lyrics about feeling pressured into making permanent decisions in your twenties that you may not be prepared for. Some other notable songs played throughout her set included “Toy,” “T&A,” “Olympus,” and “Event of a Fire.”
Blondshell is an exceptional performer, and seeing her music brought to life was such an incredible experience. With a remarkable stage presence, gentle vocals, and a devoted fanbase, the musician is set to accomplish some amazing things. I highly recommend checking out a Blondshell show!
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published 11/26/25
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Post Animal Kicks Off Their Tour in Detroit
By Kelsey Veleba
I attended the very first show of the Post Animal tour at El Club in Detroit, which was sold out. Since it was the first show, I wasn’t sure what to expect. This is their first headline tour after recently touring with DJO, and their first tour after releasing their fifth album, Iron. Post Animal consists of Javier Reyes, Jake Hirshland, Wesley Toledo, Matt Williams, and Dalton Allison. Former member Joe Keery worked on Iron; however, he is not touring with the rest of the band.
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One of my favorite songs from Iron is “Setting Sun,” so I was hoping that would be on the set list; spoiler alert, it was. The show opened with “Caving In,” which is a mellow tune setting the tone for the night to come. At one point, Reyes went down into the crowd while playing guitar, and every individual around him gave him plenty of space. I love that Post Animal fans are respectful enough to allow that to happen. There was a fan project that included glow sticks, and most of the crowd held them up towards the beginning of the show, but since I arrived after doors, I did not get one.
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The opening act was a band called The Slaps. I had seen them as an opener for Sarah and the Sundays earlier in the year, so I was already familiar with them. Most of their music is jamming, which I think is quite similar to Post Animal. I personally don’t listen to their music, but the crowd seemed to really like them.
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I did wait after the show in an attempt to meet Post Animal. It is not guaranteed to meet them, but I decided to wait anyways. Each member was walking around, taking pictures, signing items, and having discussions. It was nice how laid back the whole event was, nobody was being rushed, and each of them were truly listening and engaging in what the fans were saying. Post Animal deserves every bit of success they have, and it was such a privilege to experience a sold out show of theirs.
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published 11/17/25
Arcy Drive Brings “The Pit” Tour to Cleveland
By Kelsey Veleba
After opening for Flipturn over the summer, Arcy Drive set out on their very own headlining tour at the beginning of September. By October 1, multiple stops of the tour had sold out, totaling nineteen shows. Arcy Drive’s debut album, “The Pit,” was released in mid-April, featuring singles “Louie,” “Under The Rug,” and “Thrift Store.” All of those singles were featured on the set list when they opened for Flipturn, which had me hooked.
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The opener, Mercury, started off the night with an acoustic set. Vocalist Maddie Kerr has a beautiful tone that pairs well with the acoustic guitars. Kerr stated that Mercury is usually a 5-piece band with electric guitars instead of the 3-piece acoustic band they are currently on this tour. I’d be interested in going to a show with their full band to see the difference in how their songs sound since I really enjoyed this version of their songs. Mercury performed their version of “Right?” by Flipturn, which they recently released with the band themselves. I think they were a great opening act, and I would like to see them again.
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Arcy Drive filled up Beachland Ballroom by the time they hit the stage. The lead singer, Nick Mateyunas, is always full of energy and puts on a great show. The crowd was singing and dancing to every song . My favorite song performed was the first song of the set, titled “Under the Rug,” because the guitar solos are insane. At one point, Mateyunas was using the microphone stand to play his guitar, which is quite unique. I really admire that Arcy Drive has a female drummer, Brooke Tuozzo. I feel like women are hardly represented when it comes to drumming. Overall, Arcy Drive put on an amazing performance, and I highly recommend seeking out a show near you!
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published 11/10/25
The Time of Your Life: Laundry Day in Columbus
By Kelsey Veleba
Laundry Day released their sixth album, “EARWORM,” on October 10th, and nearly two weeks following its release, they set out on the “The Time of Your Life” tour. Columbus was the second stop on their three-week-long tour. I have listened to a few of their songs for a while and finally saw them as an opener in August. After seeing them live for the first time, I knew I needed to attend their headlining tour.
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The show opened with “R U READY?,” which was perfect since the lyrics from the song are “Are you ready? ready for the time of your life?” That song also inspired the name of the tour. In my opinion, it is a great choice for the first song of the set. Almost the entire performance was high-energy, aside from a song called “Jane,” which is sung by drummer Sawyer Nunes. I was in awe of Nunes’s ability to play the drums and sing perfectly without missing a beat.
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One thing I found unique about the show is that there is a fan-picked song every night. This gives fans a chance to hear some of their favorite songs that were not included in the set list. The fan pick from Columbus was a release from 2021 titled “Connect 5.” I believe that lead singer, Jude Ciulla-Lipkin, stated that they had either never played that song live or it had been a very long time. The crowd had great energy along with Laundry Day. Everybody was jumping and seeming to have the time of their lives.
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The opening act is a band called WHATMORE. Their music is not something I would typically listen to, but I think they did a good job at warming up the crowd. There are five members, and all of them have their own microphone, and each sings. It is interesting how it seems as if there is not a single front man and more of a shared spotlight. After their set, they went back to their merch booth, which featured thrifted shirts spray painted with a custom WHATMORE design. I love the idea of repurposing old shirts into merch instead of creating new shirts, and it is also neat that no two shirts are the same.
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Laundry Day performed all of “EARWORM,” which I really enjoyed because it is a great album, a no skip for me. My favorite song of the set was “I KINDA LIKE THAT” since it is very upbeat and it has a familiar feeling, almost like I had heard it before it was released. The show ended with the “EARWORM” album closer “SEE YOU IN ANOTHER LIFE” that beautifully wraps up the show and truly feels like a ‘see you next time’ sort of sentiment. While waiting in line to buy merch, each member of the band was somewhere inside the venue meeting fans. I highly appreciate bands that take the time out of their busy touring schedules to take pictures, sign items, or just have conversations with their fans after a show. Every member I encountered seemed like they truly love what they do, which is very refreshing to see. I could never say enough great things about Laundry Day or “The Time Of Your Life” tour, but I advise you to experience it for yourself.
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published 11/6/25
The Wrecks Send Shivers Down Pittsburgh’s Spine As They Play a Stirring Halloween Show
By Phoebe Ringler
The Wrecks, an indie/rock band from California, played a thrilling Halloween show at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA, last Friday. The band released an EP titled INSIDE: in April and is currently on the second leg of their INSIDE:OUTSIDE tour, featuring tunes from the EP along with a mixture of their discography.
After entering the venue filled with devoted fans, the space was packed with attendees showcasing their unique Halloween costumes. My favorite costume that I saw throughout the night was easily the two people who were in giant shark costumes. The show featured two astounding openers: Wall Carpets and Phoneboy. I missed half of Wall Carpets’ set, so I unfortunately didn’t get to see their entire performance, but from what I heard, the band has some killer tracks, and the spirit they brought into the room was unmatched. After Wall Carpets performed, Phoneboy then took the stage. I had previously heard of them, but I was not familiar with their music until seeing them live. Their set was incredibly captivating, and their upbeat, indie/rock sound brought an infectious energy into the room.
The Wrecks made an entrance with the opening track from their sophomore album titled “Sonder,” but before this took place, each member strutted out on stage with their own themed walkout songs, based on the Halloween costumes that they were wearing. These costumes included Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo. “Sonder” begins with thunderous guitar and fierce vocals, which create an impeccable introduction to the show. The second song they played was “Out Of Style,” which was one of the singles on their debut album and also one of my top picks in their catalog of songs. I admired the fact that they featured the entirety of their new EP over the course of the show. Some of the standout songs played throughout the night include “Milwaukee’s Best,” “I Didn’t Use To,” and “Favorite Liar.”
Overall, The Wrecks brought a magnetic, hypnotic vibe into the city of Pittsburgh. With their fabulous stage presence and enthusiasm, they truly know how to get a crowd pumped up and excited. The essence of Halloween spirit made the show extra phenomenal, and I highly recommend checking out one of their live shows!
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published 11/4/25
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West 22nd Drives Passionate Crowd In Philadelphia
By Lily Ringler
West 22nd is a five piece indie rock band from Austin, Texas, who supported Sun Room on a portion of their Jackknife Tour this fall. On October 25th, they opened the show at the Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They came on stage with a passionate energy that immediately brought excitement to the crowd. They played a good variety of songs including Can’t Help It, Savannah, Virginia Highlands, Sunburns, and much more.
A lot of the band’s music has a beachy vibe that fits right in with Sun Room’s performance. The band had no problem getting the crowd involved in the performance, and several members came down to the barricade and even came into the crowd. It seemed like a lot of the crowd was familiar with their music and many were singing along.
West 22nd has such an exciting stage presence. Seeing them live definitely encouraged me to listen to their music from a different perspective. I would definitely recommend checking out their music, especially their album Nowhere To Be, which they released earlier this year.
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published 11/2/25
Photos by Kelsey Veleba
2 much 2 handle: Aidan Bissett
By Kelsey Veleba
I recently had the privilege of seeing Aidan Bissett on tour for his debut album, shut up and love me. I attended three shows on the shut up and love me tour, Lexington, Nashville, and Columbus. Bissett released his debut album on July 25th, featuring singles “are we in love yet?,” “ricochet,” “2 much 2 handle,”and “dance around it.” I love when putting the album on repeat, the last song on the album, “bloodtype,” flows back into the first song, “reading into it.” Bissett’s sound has evolved in the past couple years, and that is very evident in his confidence while performing.
Bissett walked out on stage with his head held high as fans screamed excitedly. The show opened with “reading into it,” which is very fitting considering it is the first song on the album. The dedication of the audience is admirable. Each song on the set was overpowered with fan vocals. Bissett played almost the entirety of “shut up and love me,” featuring eleven out of thirteen songs. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to Bissett’s new music, no worries, he also included a handful of older music such as “Tripping Over Air,” and “More Than Friends.”
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As high energy as the set is, a few acoustic songs were highlighted, including one of his most vulnerable songs, “when i die.” Bissett states this song is about him imagining if he were to suddenly pass away. This song in particular also features Bissett’s guitarist, Grant McManus, playing guitar and harmony vocals. McManus and Bissett’s voices blend beautifully, which perfectly articulates the feeling of sadness and uncertainty. For the Columbus show I decided to tackle my first ever fan project. Since “when i die” means a lot to Aidan, I figured I would fill the crowd with hearts to show some love and support during one of the hardest songs emotionally of the entire set. Phone flashlights with hearts reached all the way to the back of the room. His reaction was priceless and you could tell how touched he was by this act.
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My favorite song of the set was “People Pleaser.” It is such a classic Aidan Bissett song and always a fun time live. Another song on the set list I need to highlight is “are we in love yet?” as it is a unique addition to the show and I love how Bissett includes a special fan in his performance. McManus picks out his “situationship” or bride/groom of the night, then Bissett goes down into the crowd to sing the first verse of the song to them. Since my first time seeing Bissett in 2023, I have seen him live a total of ten times. He typically has an unreleased song on his set list and the song for this tour is called “Crawling Back.” It has such a catchy chorus that Bissett has made a TikTok video multiple times. The song really highlights his vocal ability, featuring multiple controlled screams towards the end of the song. In the past, the unreleased songs are not always released but I really hope this one is.
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The shut up and love me tour has two opening acts, Lulu Simon, and Zach Hood. The first show I went to I had no idea who either act was, but by the end of the show I was a fan of both. Lulu Simon captivated the audience with her cover of “Night Changes.” I also enjoyed her song “Summer Dog,” which is about Simon finding out about the passing of her childhood dog. The second opener was Zach Hood. Hood has a variety of genres on his set list. Some of his music leans towards folk while other songs are more pop. Hood’s top song on Spotify is “Weatherman,” which is an upbeat song that seems to be quite the fan favorite. Another song in his set called “Isabelle,” includes a call back which does a great job at getting the audience involved even when they are not familiar with Hood’s music. A popular cover is always a smart addition to increase audience involvement, and Hood decided on “That’s So True,” by Gracie Abrams. Although Zach Hood is the official act, he has his friend, Sawyer Utah, alongside him playing guitar. Zach and Sawyer have great chemistry on stage and are very enjoyable to watch.
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It is typical for opening acts to head to their merch booth after their set to sell merch and meet fans. Something that I admire very much is even though Aidan Bissett is headlining, he still goes to his own merch booth after his show to meet fans, take pictures, and sign autographs. I also met Zach Hood and Sawyer Utah multiple times and each time they were both so sweet. They even made a TikTok with my friend Hanna. Although Bissett has a VIP option for his shows that include early entry, meet and greet, a laminate, and a bracelet, taking the time to meet all of his fans after playing a show is extremely unique. It is evident that Bissett truly is a fans first artist, which is very rare these days.
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Overall, the shut up and love me tour is a thrilling experience. Between crowd energy and artist energy you are guaranteed to have an amazing night. I have been so fortunate to witness the growth that Aidan has had not only in the music he makes but also his stage presence within the past couple years. I am, and always will be, extremely proud of him. I highly recommend making it out to a show if you are able to, and make sure to show up early to catch both of the outstanding supporting acts.
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published 10/20/25
A Night to Remember: Sombr Brings the Late Nights & Young Romance Tour to Boston
By Angie Garippa
After two venue upgrades and months of waiting, the Boston night of Sombr’s Late Nights & Young Romance tour was finally here. From producing songs in his bedroom to selling out venues worldwide, he quickly became one of the music’s newest sensations. His singles “Back to Friends” and “Undressed” became breakout hits earlier this year and his debut album, I Barely Know Her, was a smash success. With nearly 60 million monthly listeners on Spotify, my expectations for his performance were high.
Fans crowded outside the venue in the chilly Seaport air, anxiously waiting to get inside and find their seats. The night began with a performance from Devon Gabriella, whose acoustic sound set the tone for the night ahead. Any fan of Gracie Abrams would enjoy and appreciate what she brought onstage.
Just before 9 p.m., the lights dimmed, a clapperboard sounded, and the audience erupted in cheers and applause; the show had begun. A voiceover “host” introduced the band members as they walked onstage to the mock late-night show setup. After a few minutes of instrumentals by his talented crew, the man of the hour came onstage, going straight into the first song of the night, “i wish i knew how to quit you.”
His set included his album in its entirety, including my favorite song of his, “dime.” He was sure to include some throwbacks, specifically "caroline," which is the song that led to his record deal with Warner Records. His New York City roots were clear onstage, represented by a city skyline reminiscent of classic NYC talk shows.
The energy of the crowd was electric, with fans singing every word and jumping around with their friends the entire night. This seated venue was one of the larger shows on tour, and he was sure to shout out how loud the Boston crowd was, claiming it was the loudest audience yet.
Throughout the night, the talk show bit came into play. The voiceover “host” invited him up to the desk for mock interviews, and there was a dressing room vanity featuring the outfit in his “12 to 12” music video – there were even some fans in the crowd dressed up as this, blonde wig and all.
At one point, two lucky fans got invited onstage to call their exes so Sombr could "figure out who the problem is.” The playful bit was a nice rest between the excitement of his set, and helped the tour live up to the Young Romance aspect of its name.
It was a joy watching an artist onstage who genuinely is having the time of their life. It's obvious to anyone in attendance that making and performing music is his passion, and he’s a breath of fresh air in the music community. His gratitude towards his fans was apparent as he repeatedly thanked the crowd throughout the night. The show ended with screaming fans who had smiles etched on their faces and memories of a night they’ll never forget.
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published 10/12/25
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Ax and The Hatchetmen in Pittsburgh
By Phoebe Ringler
I decided to attend an Ax and The Hatchetmen show in Pittsburgh, PA at Crafthouse Stage & Grill, at the very last minute on Tuesday. I had previously seen the band play at a music festival called Wonderworks in 2023, and they put on the most phenomenal performance, so I thought it would be worth seeing them again. The six-piece band from Chicago plays alternative/beach rock and does an unbelievable job at maintaining their sound. They just wrapped up their Way Too Late Tour on the 27th. The tour started in November and over the last four months, they have done three separate legs.
The band has released five singles in the last year including “Where tf Did I Park My Car”, “Flagstaff”, “Sunscreen”, “Love Songs”, and “Stay // Honestly”. They made sure to highlight every single one of these songs in their performance. They also played some of their previous releases that listeners love, of course. The lead singer of the band is a magnificent performer and has a very expressive voice that stands out. One of the main highlights of their performance was that they had two members of the band who played brass and woodwind instruments, a trumpet player and a saxophone player. This is the main reason why their sound is so prominent to me and I think including these instruments makes their music and their live performances. Both of the musicians sounded astonishing and they did a great job of implementing the instruments into their music. Overall, every member of the band is extremely talented and their music flows together so well.
Ax and The Hatchetmen put on such an electrifying show, and I highly recommend that you go check them out!
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published 3/27/25
Remi Wolf in Pittsburgh
By Phoebe Ringler
I attended a Remi Wolf show in Pittsburgh, PA last month and it was one of the greatest performances I’ve seen! The artist from Palo Alto, California makes music that fits into so many different genres, but I would say that most of her music is mainly a mix between pop and funk. Wolf released her new album, “Big Ideas” in July and every song has been on repeat since. I knew that this was going to be a great tour to attend and the new songs would bring all the energy. This has been a bucket list show for me for the longest time and I’m so glad I was able to attend.
The show began with a song from her new album, “Cherries & Cream”. This song is one of the more laid back songs on the album, so I found it interesting that she chose to start the show in that way. She is a very energetic artist, so it was definitely not what I expected, but it was the perfect entrance song. Although the show started off pretty laid back, the energy kept building up throughout the show. As the show continued, she began to play more songs from the new album, as well as several from her past releases. A song from her new album, “Kangaroo” was for sure my favorite song that was performed throughout the night. She was constantly running around the stage throughout the whole show, which I absolutely loved. I love seeing artists who are really excited and passionate about the music they’re putting out. Her voice is very unique and I think that she has a ton of potential to get even bigger! Her sound has changed so much over the years which is always amazing to see!
Go see Remi Wolf when you get the opportunity! It was truly an amazing experience and she brings so much excitement and energy. Every single one of her songs was ten times better live and I highly recommend that you check all of her music out! You will not regret it.
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published 10/28/24
Wallows Model Tour
By Phoebe Ringler
I had the opportunity to attend four Wallows shows this August while they were on their Model tour. I was absolutely shocked by the show they put on while playing in their biggest venues yet. This was the 3rd Wallows tour I have attended and probably my favorite so far. Watching the band develop and grow has been insane to watch and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the future.
They started off the show with “Do Not Wait”, the final song on their first album, “Nothing Happens.” This was such a full circle moment for me because this was the very first song of theirs I had ever heard live. Aside from the song choice being great, they started performing it before the curtain dropped, so you could see their silhouettes. As it got further into the song, the lights flashed behind the curtain. This was definitely one of the coolest tour intros I had ever seen and I couldn’t be happier with how the show started. Throughout the show, the backgrounds changed, the lighting changed, and they even walked through the crowd during a few songs. There was a b stage located in the middle of each venue, where they played several acoustic songs. They definitely kept the show intriguing which is one reason this tour really amazed me compared to past tours. Every setlist included mostly the same songs, but they changed it up a few of the nights. The band has a pretty large discography now, but they made sure to cover almost every era. A song that I was extremely happy they played one of the nights was a song from their Spring EP (2018) titled, “Ground”. This has been one of my favorites since I started listening to them so it was amazing to finally hear it live.
I spoke with some people who attended the tour about their experiences! Abigail said that she’s traveled all over to see them and she’s connected with many people by attending their shows! She also said she really enjoyed the b stage part of the show since it gave more people an opportunity to have a more intimate experience if they were further away from the main stage. Some more responses I received, Allison said, “...honestly some of the best nights of my life, it was truly a magical experience to feel so at home with strangers who all have different lives but all coming together because of music…”. Kelsey said, “I loved the sense of community at the Philly and Toronto shows during the mosh pits… everyone was there because they happen to love the same band and it was so cool to be able to start something like that and have so many strangers join in.” Laur said, “I love how comfortable their shows are, all the fans and people camping out are so kind and sweet. I’ve never gone to a Wallows show and not left with new friends that I made! Just seeing your favorite band live and hearing them play songs you’ve loved and listened to for years in so many different parts of your life is so incredible.”
Attending my first Wallows show in 2020 truly changed so many things in my life regarding music so it’s always such an experience to hear them live and meet so many people who feel the same way. The band has built a great sense of community amongst their fans. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a fanbase that builds the type of community that their fans do and that makes me so happy to see. The model tour was such a cool experience and I have so much more I could say. Go to a Wallows show immediately, it might change your life.
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published 9/15/24
Del Water Gap in Cuyahoga Falls
By Phoebe Ringler
Del Water Gap, a solo artist originally from Connecticut, has been opening up for Niall Horan on his current tour, “The Show.” I was able to attend this tour at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls on June 26th. I was completely shocked by Del Water Gap and I thought that he was such a perfect opener for Horan.
The songs that Del Water Gap played throughout his set were, “Coping On Unemployment”, “Doll House”, “High Tops”, “Better Than I Know Myself”, “Chastain”, “Perfume”, “All We Ever Do Is Talk”, and “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat.” Each of these songs really gave a taste to what kind of music he makes and how his sound varies. Some of these songs were more relaxed while others brought all of the energy. He is overall such a talented performer and so entertaining to watch. I have seen that he has gained a lot of new fans since opening for Horan which makes perfect sense because of how good of a performer he is and how great his music is. I had been listening to him for a while before he opened for this tour and I am really glad to see him getting more appreciation.
He put on an amazing performance and I hope to see him on a headline tour soon! Seeing him perform was definitely one of the highlights of my year so far. Even though he had such a short set, it was incredible. I can not wait to see him again in the future and you should definitely go check him out! You will not regret it.
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published 7/21/24
Luke Hemmings in DC
By Phoebe Ringler
Luke Hemmings is currently on a solo tour all across the UK and US. He played two nights in DC and I had the opportunity to attend the first night. The lead singer of the Australian pop/rock band, 5 Seconds of Summer, released a solo album in 2021 as well as an EP this year. His solo music has a similar vibe to the bands most recent releases but it is more on the alternative side.
The show began with the song “A Beautiful Dream” which is from Hemmings’ debut album, “When Facing the Things We Turn Away From.” The song was the perfect way to start the performance. It starts off very lowkey and then gradually gets louder. He played a large variety of his music throughout the whole show along with a cover of “Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure. He has the perfect voice for this cover and it was an incredible choice. It was definitely one of the highlights of his entire performance. He was able to play all of his songs that he has released except for three which was absolutely amazing. The best live song out of all of them was definitely “Starting Line”. I love the lyrics and it was so fun to scream. It is also his most well put together song, in my opinion and it was also the last song for the encore which was the most perfect song to have last. Some of my other favorites that he played were, “Garden Life” and “Diamonds” but every single song he played was beautiful.
I’ve been following 5 Seconds of Summer for a decade now and it’s just so cool to see how Luke is doing solo music on the side. It gives a better taste of his personal writing style. I love everything about his music so much and this show was one of my favorites from this year so far! He is an incredible performer and it was so great to be able to see him solo! Go check out his solo music and catch him on tour if you ever get the chance! You will have an incredible experience.
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published 6/7/24
Surf Trash in Pittsburgh
By Phoebe Ringler
Surf Trash played a show at The Smiling Moose in Pittsburgh, PA on April 23rd. They are a rock band from Lake Mac, Australia and they are currently on a US tour. The members consist of Andy Scott (drums), Nick Scott (bass), Lachlan Jackson (guitar), and Patrick Russell (guitar). They just released a new single in February called “Hello Again” and plan to release even more new music soon!
The band can really put on an entertaining show! Their music is so unique from a lot of artists that I’ve listened to in the past and currently listen to. The one thing that really stood out to me throughout the show was Andy Scott’s vocals. It was so entertaining to see a drummer on lead vocals. I think that makes them stand out compared to a lot of other artists. I had never experienced a live show with this scenario before so it was definitely a different experience and I loved it! The band is so energetic on stage and everyone at the show seemed to really be excited about seeing them. They are still a pretty small band in the US, especially around Pittsburgh, but they still seem to have some dedicated fans that love their music. The energy at the show was unmatched and I have genuinely never been to a show where every single person in the room looked like they were really enjoying themselves.
I hope to see the band grow even more and I am so excited for the upcoming releases. You should really be on the lookout for them and make sure to go see them live when you get a chance. Their show was one of the best shows I have been to in a while!
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Also, check out our interview with Andy!
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published 4/26/24
The Driver Era in Pittsburgh
By Phoebe Ringler
The Driver Era is currently on a North American tour primarily based in the east coast. I saw them play at the Roxian Theatre in Pittsburgh, on April 2nd. The Driver Era is a duo made up of brothers, Ross and Rocky Lynch. Formed in 2018, the group has an alternative rock/R&B sound that is addicting and fun. Along with Ross and Rocky, the Driver Era has touring members including their brother/former R5 bandmate Riker Lynch, former R5 bandmate Ellington Ratliff, drummer Dave Briggs, and keyboardist Garrison Jones. They are all such entertaining performers and this show was so much fun.
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The band played a good variety of different songs, including their most recent release, “Get Off My Phone”. I also loved that they played “All Night” by R5 (their previous project). The crowd was honestly even more enthusiastic than I had expected, and it made the whole experience so much cooler. I do think they could've done a little more with the onstage visuals (based on the size of the venue) to engage the audience a bit more, but they definitely still did a pretty good job with what they had. I have been a fan of Ross and Rocky for what feels like an eternity (lol) and they NEVER disappoint with a live performance.
If you aren’t listening to their music already, what are you doing? Get with the program.
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published 4/21/24
Jack & Jack in Ferndale
By Phoebe Ringler
Jack & Jack played a show in Ferndale, Michigan on March 27th at The Loving Touch. The pop-rap duo consists of Jack Johnson and Jack Gilinsky who were formerly known for being a part of Magcon, which was a meet and greet convention that they participated in in 2014. They have been making and releasing music since 2014 and have done several tours amongst the years.
They are icons to me and I have been waiting to see them for about 10 years. This was truly a surreal experience and I can’t believe it finally happened. I got to hear songs from their new record, “Home” live and I thought that their performance of the new songs were outstanding. I haven’t been keeping up with them as consistently as I used to but hearing these songs live and hearing the music that they are making today was great. My favorite part of the show was definitely when they played small parts of the throwbacks. Some of my favorite songs that they included in this were “Paradise (Never Change)”, “Wild Life”, “California”, “Tides”, and “Groove”. I used to be obsessed with all of those songs and finally getting to hear them live was amazing.
Overall, Jack & Jack put on such a fun show and I am so glad that I went! I hope to see them on more tours in the future!
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published 4/8/24
Dance Enough To Drunk in Salisbury
By Phoebe Ringler
Dance Enough To Drunk, a band from Salisbury, Maryland played a show at Lurking Class Skate Shop on February 24th. The upcoming indie band played two of their original songs, “Under My Skin” and “Spinning” along with a few covers and unreleased songs. The two singles that they have released are exceptional in their production.
They began the show with a cover of Murder On The Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. It seemed to get the audience excited and it helped build up energy for the rest of the show. A few other covers that they did included “Highway Tune” by Greta Van Fleet, “Freakin Out On The Interstate” by Briston Maroney and “American Idiot” by Green Day. My favorite was definitely their cover of “Highway Tune”. The lead singer added his own style to the vocals and I was extremely impressed. It’s definitely difficult to cover Greta Van Fleet songs and they did an excellent job.
I suggest that you go check them out and be on the lookout for new releases!
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Published 2/27/24
Peter McPoland in DC
By Phoebe Ringler
Peter McPoland played at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC, on November 17th. He is an alternative/indie artist who is currently based in New York City. DC was one of the last locations on his month-long tour. I was astonished with the performance that he put on and the energy of the room and crowd was insane compared to a lot of shows that I’ve been to this year.
He began the show with “Mold,” a song from his most recent album, “Piggy”. In my opinion, that was the perfect song to start the show with. It is the first song on the album, and is the perfect intro song to get everyone excited. While most of the setlist were songs from his new album, he threw a few singles on there and songs from his previous EP. My favorite songs that he played were “Tonight”, “Find Me Out”, and “Turn Off The Noise.” Seeing the intense guitar solo in “Find Me Out” live was one of my favorite things about the show.
The way that Peter performs is a personal favorite out of all the artists I’ve seen live. He is constantly jumping around on stage and getting the crowd involved. Even with a broken foot, he still brings more liveliness than I've ever seen before. When I say there’s no artist that has energy like him, I genuinely mean it. He seems to have very passionate fans too which I always love to see. There were groups that traveled for what seemed to be almost half of the shows on his tour. I would definitely expect this though because of the excitement and energy that his shows have.
This was one of my favorite shows of the year. Traveling a few hours to see him was definitely worth it. I believe that he will definitely grow more and more in the coming years and I cannot wait to hear the music that he releases in the future. You should definitely consider going to see one of his live shows!
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Published 12/4/23
Greta Van Fleet in Cleveland
By Lily Ringler
Greta Van Fleet is currently on their Starcatcher World Tour. I had the pleasure of seeing them play at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 23rd. This is the fifth time I’ve seen Greta Van Fleet in concert, and I can guarantee that you can count on them to put on a spectacular show.
The show began as the curtain dropped to reveal the group. They committed to all aspects of their mystical aura, with their outfits coordinated. Josh, Jake, Sam, and Danny started the show with the song The Falling Sky, from their newest album Starcatcher. They played numerous songs on the main stage to start out the show, and then moved to the second stage to play some acoustic tracks. There didn’t seem to be a bad seat in the house.
There’s honestly not a lot of words I can use to describe the energy at their shows. The special effects are insane and you can feel the heat from the pyrotechnics all the way in the back of the stadium. The band definitely puts a lot of effort into atmosphere. It’s truly a breathtaking experience. If you ever get the opportunity to see Greta Van Fleet in concert, take it. Beyond a 10/10 experience.
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published 10/12/23
Inhaler in Toronto
By Phoebe Ringler
Inhaler played a thrilling show at History in Toronto on September 8th, 2023. I have seen this band live many times before and they never fail to put on an amazing show. The Irish rock band consists of Elijah Hewson (vocals, guitar), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), Robert Keating (bass), and Ryan McMahon (drums). They are currently on tour supporting Pearl Jam, but they made a stop in Toronto to headline a show.
The show started off with the song “These Are The Days”, their first single that was released from their sophomore album, “Cuts & Bruises”. This is the perfect opening song to get the crowd energized and excited for the show. Some of my favorite songs that they played live during the performance were, “Dublin in Ecstasy”, “It Won’t Always Be Like This”, “Just To Keep You Satisfied”, and “My Honest Face.” Josh Jenkinson always kills it during the guitar solos in “It Won’t Always Be Like This” and “Dublin in Ecstasy”.
Driving into Canada to see them perform was so worth it. I had an overall pretty good experience regarding the venue and the venue workers. The capacity of the venue was 2,500, which is a bit larger than venues that I’ve previously seen them in. As their shows get larger, the vibe of the crowd seems to be slightly different. This isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing, it’s just something that I’ve observed.
Attending this concert was such a great way to start off my September. If you ever get the opportunity, go to an Inhaler show! They are one of the most insane bands to experience live and you will be blown away.
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published 9/25/23
Quarters of Change
in Pittsburgh
By Phoebe Ringler
Quarters of Change played a show at Thunderbird Music Hall this week and it was an experience like no other. It took place on Monday, September 18th, 2023 at a small venue located in a neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It was amazing to see such a small band put on such a breathtaking performance.
This alternative/indie band from New York consists of Ben Acker (guitar), Attila Anrather (drums), Jasper Harris (guitar), and Ben Roter (lead vocals). Out of every song they performed, I was most impressed with one of their singles that they released recently, “Hollywood Baby.” I’ve been fascinated with the music they’ve been releasing in the last few months so it was super exciting to finally get to see what they were like live.
Before this show, I didn’t completely know what to expect because I was so new to their music but I was astonished with the performance they put on. Every member had such a wonderful stage presence and you can tell that they love what they’re doing. I definitely think they have a lot of potential to play much larger venues in the future and I can’t wait to see where their career takes them. The capacity of the venue that I saw them at was 380. I’ve been to this venue 5 times now and anywhere in the venue has a good view because of the size. It was the perfect place to see them at. I can tell that they already have a pretty solid fan base based on the crowd. That’s alway so amazing to see, especially so early on in their career.
Overall, I had such a good experience at this show and I’m so glad that I attended. If you haven’t listened to Quarters of Change, definitely make sure to check them out and go see them live! Even though they’re still a small band, they put on one of the most amazing live shows!
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published 9/25/23
