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.
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.
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.
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.
Cage the Elephant’s The Neon Pill Tour featuring Young the Giant came through Blossom Music Center in Cleveland on Monday September 9th alongside openers Willow Avalon and Bakar. This incredible lineup had the massive crowd dancing on the lawn throughout the night.
Young the Giant’s set included a wide range of their music including massive hits such as “Cough Syrup,” “Mind Over Matter,” and closing out with “My Body.” Lead vocalist Sameer Gadhia delivered a breathtaking and deeply moving performance. Following Young the Giant, Cage the Elephant came in hot (literally) with an intense pyrotechnic display during their first song “Broken Boy.” Although lead vocalist Matt Shultz is currently bound to a scooter due to a recently broken foot, he found unique ways to use his knee scooter throughout the show and delivered an incredible high-energy performance. Cage the Elephant had the crowd singing along throughout the set, closing out with “Cigarette Daydreams” and “Come a Little Closer.”
If you have a chance to catch the Neon Pill Tour featuring Young the Giant and Cage the Elephant- run (or scoot) to get your ticket! Check out photos below.
New Found Glory celebrated 20 years of their 2004 album Catalyst on Thursday in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to the full album, the band had the crowd singing along to several Disney covers including “Part of Your World” from the Little Mermaid and “Let It Go” from Frozen. Their high energy performance was topped off with their hit “My Friends Over You,” complete with a shower of confetti. Check out photos from the outstanding performance below.
To quote Isabel ‘Belly’ Conklin from the Amazon TV show The Summer I Turned Pretty, “Last summer felt like a dream.” Or in this case, “August 13, 2024 felt like a dream.”
Not just for me, but for the fans who were anxiously and excitedly waiting to see Joshua Bassett at The Fillmore in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s not Joshua’s first time in the city as he performed at The Underground last year on his Complicated tour. As per usual, Joshua never disappoints when it comes to his performances. He returned to the city where it was not only a night about fun and excitement on his tour The Golden Years but also about peace and forgiveness. Though Bassett returned to Charlotte with a different theme and mood of his performance, he still brought joy, happiness, and passion to his music.
Opening for Bassett was the energetic Thomas Day, who was also a contestant on Season 15 of America’s Got Talent. Appearing on stage before us like lightning, Day performed his heart out. After seeing how incredibly talented he was, I can honestly wholeheartedly say, Thomas Day will definitely be an artist that I will be adding to my playlists on Spotify!
About a few minutes later, Bassett appeared beaming with so much energy as he sweetly greeted fans throughout his entire performance. With his songs like “The Golden Years,” “Secret,” “Biting My Tongue,” “Life Line,” “She Said He Said She Said,” and more, every fan was either dancing or singing his lyrics back to him. Throughout his set, he even made a few small trips around the venue, greeting and meeting his fans. Another highlight of the night included Basset even bringing back Thomas Day to the stage to sing a cover of a Beatles song, “Yesterday.“
Bassett and his fans took turns in teaching each other something new. Though he gave us insight into his life, struggles, and life advice, at one instance and in return, his fans gave him dance lessons. While performing “Circles,” two fans taught him line dancing, which he happily partook in.
Bassett was even transparent with his fans of his struggles. A common theme I have noticed in his performances and in his music is reflection, typically healing, being grateful for certain lifelines in our lives, and surrounding yourself with amazing people. Though these are certainly great lessons for us to learn, he even threw in another one: forgiveness, and how it is always important to learn from our past mistakes and perhaps our golden years, and continue to move forward.
Overall, it was a night that I nor the fans will never forget. I especially enjoy how open and honest Bassett always is about his struggles as a means to reassure his fans that they are not alone. His songs and performances always seem to give them comfort and a safe place, myself included. I hope to look forward to more animated performances by Bassett the next time he comes back to the Queen City!
The Golden Years Album Review:
Since it has his album release, even on the car rides home, I continuously listened to The Golden Years. The album was released on July 26, a few days before Bassett kicked off his headlining tour with the same name. At first I somewhat struggled to find the words to describe this album, but now I definitely found them: Emotionally mature, honest, relief, and reflection.
Since its release I could not help but wonder: where was this album when I needed it most?
Bassett reflects on the past few years of his life, the good, the bad, the happy, the sad. In the album, he not only reflects on the golden years of his life but also on certain heartbreak, with some regret, which is something that I know most of us do. He even channels the roller coaster being fine one minute, but not fine the next. Through song, he exemplifies what healing is like realistically.
In the past, Bassett has been open and honest with his fans with his struggles, and always finding the good in every situation. Though he channels his feelings and honesty into song, notably past songs like “different” and “would you love me now,” the songs on The Golden Years now constructs those feelings and creates such a heartfelt and honest album. It is an album that I believe most people can either relate to or even find solace in.
Overall, The Golden Years not only reflects on the highs and lows of the past few years of Bassett’s life but also his achievements and his personal growth as an artist and as a person.
The album presents itself with such emotional maturity, a deep sigh of relief, letting go, and looking forward to what’s to come.
Pink kicked off the North American leg of her Summer Carnival tour on August 10th to upwards of 50,000 fans at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. She had initially announced her Summer Carnival tour in 2022, and to the ecstatic delight of all St. Louisans, she extended her tour into 2024 and included Missouri on the list.
Ask anybody who has been to one of Pink’s concerts and you’ll know that her shows are always worth seeing. The energy, the songs you know and love, the incredible acrobatics, the pyrotechnics, and the dancers all add up to an unforgettable performance that you’ll be unable to look away from. But it’s not entirely a showy circus – Pink finds the perfect balance of awe-inspiring feats and personal connection during more toned-down songs, leaving you with no doubts about her prowess as a vocalist, athlete, and performer while being a genuinely uplifting human.
Pink opened her show with aerial acrobatic stunts while singing “Get the Party Started,” which, of course, did get the two hour long party going with lots of excitement and dancing. Every song that followed was one that everybody knew the words to, and even if you didn’t listen to much of Pink’s extensive discography prior to the show, you were still guaranteed a great time as she played hit after hit after hit.
One of the sweetest aspects of the show was seeing how much of a family everybody involved with the tour is. Pink would joke with and tease the musicians and crew, and the lighthearted banter added to the overall positivity and warmth that emanated from the stage and filled the arena. Other touching moments included when Pink covered Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” and couples kissed to cheers when they saw themselves on the stage screens, as well as when Pink told us she had her niece and nephew in the crowd before she sang the emotional song “When I Get There” honoring her late father.
At the end of the night, Pink made her way around the dome via the flying contraption that launched her around the massive space, allowing fans up in the upper terraces to see her up close as she sang and waved and flipped before returning smoothly to the ground and waving goodbye.
Pink will continue her tour through the next few months with a variety of acts, including Sheryl Crow and The Script who both played in St. Louis ahead of Pink (coverage still to come.) Take a look through more photos of the night and relive the excitement!
As summer is starting to come to a close, the love that I personally have for music and concerts are definitely not. Especially for music that is all of the following: for dancing, beyond relatable, upbeat, and some that incorporates a ukulele. Luckily for me, mxmtoon’s show at the Underground in Charlotte, North Carolina had all three.
Before mxmtoon took the stage on July 29, singer Emma Harner opened for her show, where she not only dazzled us with her talent but also continuously made several references to the animated TV show, Voltron. Harner’s music and presence on stage was both charming and hilarious as she cracked jokes with the audience in between the songs that she was performing.
Harner was not the only one that has captured my attention. As mxmtoon began her set, she was beyond ready to perform and share her music and art with the audience. The audience, in turn, was ready to celebrate her music through either singing to her lyrics, wearing cowboy hats, or both. Throughout her performance, dances were danced and stories were exchanged — tales of crushes, break-ups that make you want to move out of the state that you are living in, and the trauma and love of proudly coming out.
If anything, mxmtoon’s Summer Show at The Underground was a chaotic yet laid back night that I was overall happy to attend. With the performances by both Harner and mxmtoon, the venue that night became a place that was both fun yet comforting.
The start of summer solstice brought indie rock veterans Vampire Weekend to Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle — delivering a captivating performance that spanned their genre-bending discography. Kicking off the night with original members Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, and Chris Tomson performing “Hold You Now” from 2019’s Father of the Bride,the trio filled the arena with excitement as they jammed beneath the glimmer of their spotlights, and a black curtain emblazoned with “Vampire Weekend” served as their backdrop.
Together, the three performed “Cousins” and “Holiday” from 2010’s Contra before transitioning to newer release “Ice Cream Piano” from the tour’s namesake album Only God Was Above Us.Reaching mid-song triggered the release of their curtain to reveal a gray and sepia-toned backdrop of a large futuristic cavern, matching the band’s monochromatic outfits. Joining them were additional touring members on keys, guitar, saxophone, strings and percussion, as well as an interpretive dancer to complement the ensemble.
Playing fan-favorites like “Step,” “M79,” “Campus,” “Oxford Comma,” “Diane Young,” “A-Punk,” and concluding with “Hope,” the band returned to the stage for an encore and took audience requests for any non-Vampire Weekend songs to attempt. In what was warned as either “the best or worst part of the show” by Koenig, the results were chaotic and hilarious partial covers of Radiohead’s “Creep,” The Cure’s “Just like Heaven,” The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” and a rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” — cut short by Koenig, who didn’t want to butcher the beloved song in front of the latter band’s hometown. Vampire Weekend’s energy was infectious and effervescent, with Koenig’s witty banter and charming stage presence winning over the entire crowd.
As the show came to a close, the arena was drenched with hues of blue and gold as the band ended the night with a grand finale of “Walcott,” culminating a night filled with beautiful soundscapes, and a spectacular welcome to the summer season.
Fans across North America can catch Vampire Weekend’s Only God Was Above Us tour as it continues through October. More information on tickets and the rest of tour dates can be found on the band’s website.
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