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Concert Photography

Wallows and Deb Never Brave the Snow for 2 Nights in Charlotte

The month of February has been, in my opinion, an interesting month for the city of Charlotte. However, it got even more interesting when Wallows came to the city for two exciting sold-out nights at The Fillmore, along with opener, Deb Never. Despite the snow that lasted for two days, both performers brought energy and excitement to the city. 

The energy was immediately set in stone as Deb Never began to perform. Throughout her set, I was completely mesmerized by her performance. I’ve never heard anything like her before, and if there was one word that I can describe Deb Never’s music it would be “captivating.” From start to finish, she definitely went and captured my attention with her lyrics and talent. 

As for Wallows, I have no words except: Oh my gosh! The energy from both the crowd and the band was addicting. All eyes and attention were on them, especially when Dylan Minnette came down from the stage to the barricade where fans excitedly sang their hearts out. Throughout the show, I couldn’t help but dance not just with the friends I’ve made during this concert, but with the band’s psychedelic and catchy lyrics.

With the snow, two sold out shows, and two talented acts such as Wallows and Deb Never, my expectations of the night were exceeded, and I giddily approached the merch table to purchase Wallows’ newest album, Model, on vinyl. Be sure to see them as they continue their Model & More Tour in May!

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Concert Photography

Foster The People Begin Paradise State of Mind Tour

Foster The People kicked off their Paradise State of Mind tour at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, delivering a show that fused new tracks off their fourth studio album with nostalgic favorites they’ve been known for over the past decade. The evening started with British duo Good Neighbours, who are currently supporting the North American leg. Highlights from the set included their latest single “Ripple,” which marked its first live debut, and their viral song “Home,” effectively setting the tone for the night with their energetic stage presence and catchy live instrumentals. 

Opening with title track Paradise State of Mind, Foster The People kicked things off strong with their lively energy amidst a vibrant neon set design. Performing classic hits like “Helena Beat, “Sit Next to Me” and “Pumped Up Kicks,” the band performed their familiar indie pop, electronic and psychedelic rock genres while embracing the new record’s mix of disco, funk, gospel and jazz influences — beautifully underscoring the band’s evolving sound.

Frontman Mark Foster exuded a focused yet playful stage presence, constantly interacting with the crowd and dancing with a huge grin throughout the set. The band’s visuals and lighting design added an extra layer of depth to the performance, creating an immersive experience that left a lasting impression for both new fans and for those revisiting the soundtrack of their teenage years. 

The performance reaffirmed the band’s ability to push boundaries musically and creatively while staying true to the music that made them an indie household name. You can catch the rest of Foster The People’s Paradise State of Mind tour, as it continues across North America until early spring. More information can be found at fosterthepeople.com.

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Concert Photography

Jeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler Bring Brent Forever: The Tour to LA

On December 5th, Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler stopped by The United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles to showcase their newest album release, brent iii, where they delivered a captivating and emotional performance for the crowd. Supported by a full band, including string players who added an ethereal quality to the performance, Zucker and Cutler appeared completely at ease, engaging comfortably with the audience throughout the night. The stage design enhanced the intimate atmosphere, featuring a cabin-inspired set with a grand carpet and glowing lamps to create a warm, nostalgic ambiance. The setlist mirrored this cozy aesthetic, as the duo opened the show with “ashes and rush” and closed the night on a heartfelt note with the fan-favorite “this is how you fall in love” from brent ii.

The tour kicked off in November right when the album was released, and Zucker and Cutler made their way around North America until it ended earlier this month in Denver. Their performances have underscored their ability to craft music that feels both universal and deeply intimate. By blending introspective themes with a captivating live presence, the duo has solidified its place as one of music’s most beloved partnerships.

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Concert Photography

David Kushner’s The Dichotomy Tour in Austin, TX

David Kushner’s The Dichotomy Tour made a memorable stop in Austin, TX on the night of November 12th, where he delivered a powerful and emotional performance at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater. Captivating the outdoor audience with his rich vocals and lyrical depth, Kushner brought his debut album, The Dichotomy to life on stage. Supported by fellow artist Henrik, who opened the show and energized the crowd, the night was a complete celebration of Kushner’s growing success.

The North American tour, which began in Portland, OR, spans major cities and will conclude in Oakland, CA. The setlist included fan favorites like his multi-platinum hit “Daylight,” a song that achieved widespread popularity on TikTok. The viral success of “Daylight” on the platform helped boost its climb to peak at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing Kushner’s rising influence in the music world. His Austin performance combined with the introspective energy of The Dichotomy deepened the album’s themes, leaving fans with an unforgettable night.

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Concert Photography

Rex Orange County at Bass Concert Hall

Rex Orange County kicked off his Austin, Texas shows on October 29th at the Bass Concert Hall, the city’s largest theater and a host to major acts just this year, including Grammy-winning jazz-pop artist Laufey and acclaimed Broadway productions. As part of his 12-city “Finally Tour,” Rex showcased songs from his latest album, The Alexander Technique, along with fan favorites like “The Shade.” By his second song, he was already in the crowd, connecting closely with fans. The vibrant stage setup and electrifying audience made for an unforgettable night in a venue known for world-class performances. If you live near one of his last remaining stops, this is a show you definitely don’t want to miss.

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Concert Photography

Kaleo’s Payback Tour in Cleveland

Kaleo performed their last US show of the Payback Tour at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio this past Thursday, October 10th. Kaleo was joined by opener Hembree for this show.

Formed back in 2012, Kaleo is an incredibly talented Icelandic blues rock band. The nearly sold out venue swayed and sang along to their massive hit “Way Down We Go” and danced along to upbeat songs such as “No Good.” Check out photos from the show below and be on the lookout for the next time Kaleo comes to a venue near you!

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Concert Photography

The Beaches + Charlie Houston at the Fillmore

By Bethany Ivan

Going out on a Monday, knowing that you have work the next day is one thing, but that excitement of clocking out from a 9am-5pm job, and driving to the Fillmore in Charlotte to see The Beaches perform is definitely next level, especially when you know that the band has a few fun and exciting songs to perform. 

The Beaches took a stop in the city on Sept. 30 on their ‘Blame My Ex’ Tour, with supporting acts by Charlie Houston. Houston, who opened for the band, started us off with some mellow tunes, which is something I needed after a long day of work. The audience was also in for a treat as Houston played a cover of “Year 3000” by the Jonas Brothers. 

As The Beaches began to perform, three words came to mind: energetic, powerful, and fierce. The band not only served looks but with their talent, their performance was completely unforgettable. Leandra Earl and Kylie Miller amazing guitar playing, the fun and mesmerizing voice of Jordan Miller, and Eliza Enman-McDaniel’s wicked talent on drums made it all worthwhile.  Songs  such as “Blame Brett,” “Jocelyn,” and “Shower Beer,” filled the venue of excited fans. Throughout their whole performance, it felt like one extended weekend, which was very well needed. 

I have never really liked Mondays, but after seeing The Beaches and Charlie Houston live in concert, it’s safe to say that I appreciate the day a bit more as I either put my headphones on at work or turn up the radio in my car, with the band and Houston playing through the speakers on full blast. I may or may not say this a lot, but these two artists are definitely going on my playlists on Spotify, where I will listen to their songs on a constant repeat. 

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Concert Photography

Two Door Cinema Club delight SoCal at YouTube Theater

Indie icons Two Door Cinema Club traveled from across the pond to deliver an amazing show at Inglewood’s YouTube Theater last Wednesday, September 18th. The band, hailing from Northern Ireland, has been present in the indie rock scene since their smash debut album Tourist History in 2010, although initially formed in 2007.

The band’s 2024 tour features several names to accompany them, including NYC group Quarters of Change and Florida indie rock band Flipturn, as well as Petey, an indie/emo artist from Midwestern America. Petey, currently based in California, opened the night at YouTube Theater, with his unique blend of indie/garage rock and vocal elements of emo rock. Petey also brought a touch of his comedic side in between songs during his set, relating back to his popular social media persona of the same name. His setlist included his popular tracks “We Go On Walks” and the aptly-named “California”, before ending the night on a solid note with the complex track “DON’T TELL THE BOYS”.

Two Door Cinema Club then commanded the stage with high-energy hits “This Is The Life” and “I Can Talk” from their debut album, followed by “Sleep Alone” from their 2012 sophomore album Beacon. The band’s sound, led by Alex Trimble (lead vocals, guitar) is irresistible to not dance to, completed by chirpy quick riffs by Sam Halliday (lead guitar) and catchy basslines (Kevin Baird, bass/synth) to keep it all together. Oddly enough, the band’s set did not feature their newest 2024 single “Happy Customers”— but with plenty of songs to choose from, Two Door Cinema Club closed out their set with beloved jams such as “Changing Of The Seasons”, “Something Good Can Work,” “Undercover Martyn,” and their ultimate closing “What You Know” which has been featured many times in pop culture over the past decade and a half.

For now, the band looks to finish their US tour on October 3rd in Nashville before heading overseas again for a co-headlining tour with Declan McKenna in November and December featuring several show dates in Australia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

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Concert Photography

Hippo Campus debut ‘Flood’ at legendary Troubadour

Although their debut studio album Landmark released in 2017, Minnesota indie rock band Hippo Campus has been on the scene for almost a decade, performing under several different pseudonyms and versions. Coinciding with that bands’ 2024 album release Flood, Hippo Campus brought their energy to the iconic Troubadour in West Hollywood, playing the unreleased album in its entirety days before its official release— as well as several other songs from their albums, performing over 2 hours of music.

Flood proved to be an solid step in the right direction for the band, and translated well to the stage. Expansive and earnest, the album is full of solid indie hooks that are most present on songs like “Paranoid” and “Forget It” while leaving space for more mellow tunes like “Corduroy”. A solid progression for the band, Flood‘s debut live performance did not disappoint for the first-time listeners in the audience (or the second-time listeners… a copy of the album had been leaked several days before the released, which the band joked about onstage).

Co-Frontmen Jake Luppen (lead vocals, guitar) and Nathan Stocker (lead guitar, vocals) had a lot to say about the crowd’s nonstop energy, sharing their preference for these smaller/more intimate shows. Many times throughout their set, the crowd’s applause would swell for minutes on end, as the band could do nothing but stand back for a beat and smile in appreciation.

After they blazed through Flood, the band decided to bring back fans to their Landmark and Bambi days for the band’s encore, performing songs like “Bang Bang,” “Bubbles,” and “Violet”. In an unexpected second encore, the band allowed the crowd to vote for their final send-off, capping the night with a ultra-high energy version of “Buttercup.

The Troubadour might just have a little bit of magic inside those doors. Along with the legendary acts that began there and would go on to become phenoms and icons in the music world, the unique pit + wraparound terrace makes for a one-of-a-kind experience, coupled with its vintage and aged charm. Hippo Campus was able to tap into whatever magic the Troubadour contains to deliver an amazing show for their sold-out crowd.

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Concert Photography

Cigarettes After Sex X’s World Tour in San Antonio

Cigarettes After Sex’s X’s World Tour made a stop in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, September 17th, casting a spell on the crowd with their signature blend of ambient, soft, and melancholic melodies.

The set list featured fan-favorite hits such as “X’s,” “Apocalypse,” and “K,” with each track deepening the connection between the band and their audience. As the night unfolded, Greg Gonzalez’s delicate vocals wove themes of love and desire that resonated deeply on a personal level, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The audience was visibly moved, singing along to the music and responding with loud cheers.

The intimate soundscapes, paired with the minimalistic instrumentals, filled the entire arena with emotion. It was an amazing night for fans, new and old, present at the show. 

Check out our photos of the Cigarettes After Sex X’s World Tour below.