Kentucky-based rock band Cage The Elephant brought their energetic performance to RV Style Resorts Inn Amphitheater in Ridgefield, WA on June 23. The night started off with a stellar supporting lineup consisting of Willow Avalon, Bakar and Young the Giant.
Kickstarting the night with a lively performance of “Broken Boy,” the energy was vibrant from the get-go as soon as the headliner took the stage. Known for their raw energy and blues-infused sound, Cage The Elephant treated the Portland-area crowd to a soulful and compelling show filled with production that featured stunning pyrotechnics, lasers, visuals and a set list that spanned their entire discography. They performed a blend of new and old songs from their latest album Neon Pill including the track “Rainbow” as well as fan favorites “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” “Trouble,” and “Cigarette Daydreams.” The crowd illuminated the amphitheater with lights during the encore, and Cage The Elephant ended the night with their classic hit “Come a Little Closer.”
The band’s energy was electric, and frontman Matt Shultz’s magnetic stage presence wasn’t complete without several of his signature stage jumps — captivating the crowd deeper with each engaging song.
Fans across North America can catch the Neon Pill tour as it continues through the fall. More information on tickets and the rest of tour can be found on their website.
On Saturday June 29th, The Used performed at TempleLive in Cleveland Ohio. The Used is an emo/screamo band active since 2000 that significantly shaped emo music in the early 2000s with their self-titled album (2002) and wildly successful album In Love and Death (2004). Their set consisted of many deeply loved songs spanning their extensive career with fans screaming along to major hits such as “The Taste of Ink.” The Used’s newest album MEDZ was recently released. Check out photos from their set below.
The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles was filled with the warm comfort of a campfire under the stars this May when Nashville group Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors performed to a welcoming LA crowd.
While onstage, Drew Holcomb shared his admiration of the City of Los Angeles for all that it is, good and gritty. Audience members were treated to an impromptu untitled song which Drew wrote just before taking the stage, speaking about a girl from LA who had a certain magic to her but longed for change in her life. Drew constantly addressed and connected with the crowd, sharing personal stories and overall making himself feel like a friend to all. The band performed songs from their recent release Strangers No More, which they performed the night prior on Jimmy Kimmel Live as a part of their tour. The band’s Americana sound shines brightest on “Find Your People,” and as the name suggests, the crowd was filled with friendly folks that all came together to sing along and jam on that Saturday night.
The first weekend of May in Redondo Beach was full of sunshine, good music, and just a bit of wind for good measure. This year’s BeachLife Festival was the 6th iteration, boasting a 3-day lineup blending reggae, rock, latin, alternative, soul, and folk together across 4 stages. Luckily this year, I was able to catch all of the action and attend BeachLife Festival 2024!
Many brand names were on display at interactive booths, such as The Los Angeles Kings, Jack Daniel’s, Kona Big Wave, Gray Whale Gin, BodyGlove Apparel, Grillo’s Pickles, IKON Pass, Cutwater, LaMarca Prosecco, Gelato Pure Water, Golden Road Brewing Co., and Sketchers VIP Booth, with several other food and beverage brands offered throughout the festival grounds, including free merch!
I was very excited to see what BeachLife was all about. Below is a rundown of all of the performances I saw over that weekend:
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FRIDAY, MAY 3rd
Seal
One of the ultimate stage personas in music, Seal took the HighTide (main) stage for an iconic sunset performance. Coming out to a cover of T. Rex’s hard-rocking “20th Century Boy,” Seal commanded the stage with his strong performance and blazing all-white outfit. His cadence towards the BeachLife audience was compassionate and human, choosing to perform several songs from within the crowd, and speaking about how important connection and love is to “the human experience,” making direct eye contact with members of the crowd. Once the crowd had enough time to digest his evocative monologue, Seal gave his performance of the world-famous “Kiss From A Rose” as the California sun shimmered through the palm trees and cascaded down into night time.
Dirty Heads
Few bands embody the California spirit like Dirty Heads. Blending elements of rock, reggae, and hip-hop, the SoCal-native group displayed quite the ensemble onstage at LowTide (second stage), with electric/acoustic guitars, drums, synthesizers, trumpets, and trombones all coming together for their set. Vocalists Jared “Dirty J” Watson and Dustin “Duddy B” Bushnell traded off verses and choruses for most of the set, combining each individual’s unique sound. They began their set with “Heavy Water” and transitioned into the bass-heavy banger “Medusa” to get the crowd bouncing. Their setlist also included fan-favorites “Oxygen,” “Vacation,” and “Lay Me Down,” but did not include my personal favorite “Stand Tall.”
Surfer Blood
Overlapping with Dirty Heads, I was able to catch the last half of Surfer Blood’s set over at Riptide (Tito’s) stage. Surfer Blood is a surf-rock group from West Palm Beach, Florida, and claim that they are “the cleanest and nicest band in existence” according to their website–and honestly after watching their set, I believe it. The intimate stage layout allowed lead vocalist/guitarst John Paul Pitts to interact with the crowd in a casual way, giving their whole show a local garage show-feel. My standout song was their closer “Swim” which feels like the soundtrack to your favorite summer memory at the beach.
SATURDAY, MAY 4th
Steel Pulse
For true reggae fans, this set was the perfect way to start Day 2. Steel Pulse is a roots reggae band hailing from across the pond in England, due to members Basil Gabbidon’s (guitarist/vocalist) and David Hinds’s (lead vocals/guitar) heavy influence from Bob Marley & The Wailers. Steel Pulse is a group rooted in music history, initially forming in 1975 during the UK’s growing punk rock scene, finding a common ground in their shared views on racial injustice, human freedom, and unification for all. Steel Pulse shared several songs from their 2019 release Mass Manipulation, such as “Rize” and spoke directly to the crowd in hopes to spread the band’s message of “bettering mankind through music” and “halting the disarray of humanity by rejecting false ideals and breaking down the walls of systemic greed.” Their soulful grooves, poignant political lyricism, and unforgettable stage outfits made them a “can’t miss” show for Saturday’s slate.
Pepper
Fan-favorite Hawaiian reggae band Pepper has been rocking in the music scene since 1996. Bringing all of that good energy from Hawaii to San Diego where the band is currently located, the three-piece group features lead singer/guitarist Kaleo Wassman, bassist Bret Bollinger, and drummer Yesod Williams. The band opened with rock/reggae blend “Back Home” which got the crowd on the feet from the beginning. The rest of their set was full of surprises, including their hits “B.O.O.T.,” “Stone Love,” and “Ashes,” new songs such as “Tides” from their 2024 album Makai, and even closing their set with a cover of the 80s ballad “Careless Whisper” by George Michael– Pepper style. The band also made a nod to the date of their show landing on May The 4th [the colloquial Star Wars holiday] and led into their song “Stormtrooper.”
Santigold
The multi-genre Santigold has found her way in a variety of lineups, finding a home with almost any crowd due to her hypnotic melodies and one-of-a-kind stage presence. While Saturday’s weather began cloudy and overcast, even the sunshine couldn’t resist catching Santigold’s performance, and decided to shine through during her set. Santi White, known by her artist name, mentioned that she had been battling a bad cold during the show, but knew that the show must go on as she delivered a high-energy performance, with the help of her backing band and performance dancers that got the crowd involved– literally. There was never a down-time for Santigold’s set as she began with “L.E.S. Artistes” and and effortlessly transitioned to her many hits like “GO!,” “Run the Road,” “Lights Out,” and “Chasing Shadows.” She then brought out many fans from the crowd to dance along to “Creator,” even bringing her children out on stage to participate in the jamboree. Lastly, she electrified the crowd by closing with her well-known indie anthem “Disparate Youth.”
Local Natives
Hailing from next door over in Orange County, CA, Local Natives embraced the SoCal crowd with their wonderful harmonies and striking guitar tones. Indie fans joined in and sang along to songs as the band began with “I Saw You Close Your Eyes” and “Megaton Mile.” Lead vocalist/guitarist Taylor Rice kept the vibe going with a variety of songs from their albums over the years, including “Coins,” “NYE” and “Wide Eyes” before reintroducing BeachLife Festival-featured artist Jordana back to the stage for the smooth “Dark Days.” Local Natives’s set was the perfect mix of great melodies and mellow mood that allowed people in the crowd to dance and sing, and others to chill out and lay on the grass to enjoy some rest. The band finished with their anthem “When Am I Gonna Lose You.”
Incubus
While walking around the BeachLife grounds, I spotted countless Incubus merch items, whether they were purchased at the fest or were from fans’ personal closets (I was guilty of purchasing a hoodie myself.) The buzz ahead of their set was palpable; as the sun set for Day 2, the anticipation for their set to begin gravitated everyone towards HighTide stage as a large crowd loomed 30 minutes before the band took the stage. Finally, Incubus took the stage to “Quicksand,” a deeper cut that hypnotized the crowd leading into their next song “Nice To Know You” which felt like a seismic shift in tone that emulated the rocking waves of the ocean on a stormy night.
Throughout the set, Incubus oscillated back-and-forth in tone, casting a whirlwind of rock energy over the audience for some of their hits like “Pardon Me,” “Anna Molly,” “Vitamin,” “Circles,” and “Stellar,” and then slowing it down to a swaying melody with songs like “I Miss You,” and their iconic hit “Drive.” The band also left room for several interesting covers, including the Beatles’s “Come Together,” Portishead’s “Glory Box,” David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” and “Riders On The Storm” by The Doors which transitioned Incubus’s own into “Are You In?” perfectly. Lead singer Brandon Boyd shared his love for growing up in Southern California and how much it has meant for him and the band to still be playing shows like this now. The band recently revisited one of their most iconic albums and rerecorded it, producing Morning View XXIII with fresh ears and a more matured perspective. After a monumental show, the band contrasted their closing songs, with heavy hitter “Wish You Were Here” leading into “Aqueous Transmission” to close the night and “zen out” the crowd before sending them home for Day 3.
SUNDAY, MAY 5th
Atlas Genius
Australia’s own Atlas Genius began Day 3 for a noon show on the HighTide stage, waking the crowd up with infectious indie rock hooks. Vocalist/guitarist Keith Jeffrey from Adelaide, Australia pulled from a variety of upbeat songs such as “If So” and “Molecules” before giving the audience a taste of his new upcoming record by playing a track titled “63 Days.” In line with the unspoken common theme of BeachLife Festival, Atlas Genius also featured a few 80s covers like “Don’t You Want Me” by The Human League and “You Spin Me Round” by Dead or Alive. Lastly, he ended with his hit “Trojans.” After his set, I was able to sit down with Keith and discuss the new album, playing in the United States, changes in music culture, and what it’s like to have TWO songs featured in the illustrious FIFA video game soundtrack, so more on that is soon to come!
BeachLife Festival veterans Sugar Ray have played every single lineup since the festival’s debut in 2019, and the group still can’t seem to get enough! Lead singer Mark McGrath dished out jokes as easily as their beach party hits, wasting no opportunities to crack a joke and connect with the crowd in between songs. Fans came to expect their hits like “Someday,” “Into Yesterday,” “Fly” and “Every Morning,” but I did not expect Mark’s genuine remarks of gratitude to the crowd, thanking his fans for sticking with him through the 90s mirage of frosted tips and radio hits alike. The Newport Beach native also payed homage to true Ska roots, performing a cover of “What’s Gone Wrong” by local legends The Untouchables.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Perhaps one of the top vocal performance I’ve seen in person, vocalist Paul Janeway of St. Paul & The Broken Bones absolutely blew me away. Bringing the soul of Birmingham, Alabama to Southern California, the crowd at BeachLife Festival couldn’t help but stare in awe of Janeway’s incredible range, along with the band’s full harmonious and multi-instrumental sound. Songs like “Call Me” and “Apollo” displayed their full blend of funk, soul, and blues. Many fans left their set as new fans of St. Paul & The Broken Bones.
Tito Puente Jr.
From Puerto Rico to Redondo Beach, Tito Puente Jr. honored the legacy of his late father by making the crowd sing and dance to his Caribbean grooves. Fittingly on the Tito’s stage, lead percussionist Tito Puente Jr. spread joy with songs like “Salsa Na’Ma”, as well as borrowing from his father’s hits with “Oye Como Va.” With Tito’s music playing and a drink in hand, you might as well be dancing in the streets of old San Juan.
Courtney Barnett
New age rock icon Courtney Barnett brought folk and blues to the HighTide stage among engaged fans. A product of Melbourne, Australia, Barnett has been featured in some of the biggest music festival lineups across the globe over the past decade. Her enthralling mix of easy going folk rock and punchy garage rock always keeps fans on their toes. Her true stardom shone through on songs like “Avant Gardener,” “History Eraser,” “Nameless, Faceless,” and her closing track “Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go To The Party.” Her head-banging guitar breaks told the crowd that she feels at home onstage.
ZZ Top
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, rock legends ZZ Top need no sort of introduction. Their rock/blues tone is absolutely irreplaceable, and with people filling up the entire LowTide stage, the crowd was ready to rock. The onstage band consisted of drummer Frank Beard and lead singer/guitarist Billy Gibbons since 1969, adding bassist Elwood Francis to fill in for member Dusty Hill, who passed away in 2021.Their setlist contained many monumental hits, including ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’, ‘Just Got Paid’, ‘Jesus Just Left Chicago’, ‘Legs’, and ‘Sharp Dressed Man’, and opting to tease the crowd by only playing the first few notes of ‘La Grange’ before the BeachLife Festival team made a shocking announcement.
Unfortunately, this is where BeachLife Festival 2024 ended. Due to high winds monitored by the event team, an announcement was made for festival-goers to exit the grounds for everyone’s safety immediately. They declared the festival would wait one hour to reassess conditions with hopes that the wind would die down, but later stated that the conditions were still unsafe to continue and officially closed the festival, missing out on remaining acts such as Fleet Foxes, Trey Anastasio, Classic Tab, and My Morning Jacket. The BeachLife Festival team apologized for the inconvenience, and assured that this was in the best interest and safety of everybody attending.
While this marked a bummer for the end of the individual day, this mishap did not cast a shadow over my experience that weekend. I learned that BeachLife Festival is a very homegrown experience and celebrates the South Bay communities of Redondo, Manhattan, and Hermosa Beach by coming together to celebrate together for a weekend. That grassroots effect is felt throughout the festival, from the vendors to the attendees to the artists. I got the chance to meet several friendly strangers, hear some awesome music, and enjoy the many accommodations that BeachLife Festival promised and delivered on. Being a first-time BeachLifer, I can guarantee I’ll have my eyes on next year’s lineup announcement.
Fans of the pop rock space may know the name Hardcastle from a few of their well-known hits. In 2019, the Nashville-based band was gaining heavy traction, joining The Band Camino on a sold-out national tour. Unfortunately, COVID impacted the world shortly after the tour concluded, and subsequently, the band. With the group going their separate ways, singer and guitarist Graham Laderman decided to realign with his artistic vision and set his sights on beginning anew in Los Angeles.
Since then, Graham has assembled a surrounding team, including managers, producers, and new bandmates, to venture into new musical territory. With a few upcoming shows and new music locked and loaded, Hardcastle is gearing up for a righteous return to the stage (and headphones). I got a chance to interview Graham at his recent Los Angeles show at Paramount LA and asked him a few questions about his musical journey.
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So before we get into it, you have to tell me what happened with your hand here.
Without going into too much detail, a car hit another car at an intersection, and I was sort of caught in the mess. I looked up, and there was just a car flying at me, and then everything went black. I didn’t lose consciousness, but I closed my eyes and sort of tensed up–when I opened my eyes the world slowly came back into focus and there was a ringing in my ear. I started checking my head after and was just thinking “Oh my god, I’m alive,” and I looked down at my hand and just saw a lot of blood. I had to get 11 stitches in my thumb and it kind of looks like Frankenstein. It’s very visceral when I talk about it, to be honest.
Wow, that’s insane. I’m happy that you’re okay cause that sounds like it could have been a lot worse for you. Obviously, you were dealing with a lot of shock, and then went to the hospital I assume, but how long after the initial hit did you think “Oh shit, I have shows coming up?”
Immediately. It was the next thing I thought about after realizing I was alive and that my head wasn’t bleeding. Still, despite the stitches and the arm brace, I’m just happy to be here.
How is it affecting the string of shows you have coming up?
Well, I definitely can’t play guitar, which is going to feel so different. I’ve played since middle school and I’ve always been so connected to it ever since I started. I’ve been building out my pedal board and started getting into a lot of capabilities for live shows, and it was feeling like a big culmination of a lot of years, especially now working with a five-piece band and really getting close to how things sound on the record. Now, it’s opened my perception to “Who am I without a guitar?” I have to really tap into a new area as a singer. A week ago I was thinking that I’d never put my guitar down, but I’m excited to get in touch with my power as a frontman and see where it goes. It’s a growing experience, for sure.
Right, I like your optimism there. Let’s hope that your next artistic change doesn’t come at the hands of an accident like this again though, yeah?
Haha, definitely. I like to think of it this way– you have this energy, and you can spend it in a lot of different ways. I’ve just been trying to spend that energy looking into what the opportunity is here.
I want to hear about being raised up in the Nashville music scene from a stylistic influence perspective, how does that experience carry on with you still?
So I moved to Nashville from Atlanta in 2016. In high school [in Atlanta] I was kind of playing this ‘Foo Fighters meets southern rock’, and I was just having fun and didn’t know anything about anything. I’d write half a song, and book shows and just make up the rest onstage, because I just wanted to play so badly.
When I made it to Nashville, I got into the songwriting program at Belmont for a year and a half before I dropped out, but I realized that writing lyrics was amazing, and that songwriting could be the center of gravity for the things that I wanted to do. I just started collaborating with a lot of people and co-writing with my bandmates at the time [Val Hoyt, Noah Christian, and Miles Laderman, Graham’s brother], and some early stuff with Old Sea Brigade [Ben Cramer]. I was such a hardcore The 1975 fan and got exposed to more pop music, whereas back in Atlanta I was kind of more anti-pop in a way haha. It just really helped to expand my sound and led to songs like “Back To You” and “Mundane.” We started to work with The Band Camino on those tours and show trades, and they’ve always been great at making those anthemic pop-rock songs, so getting to tour with them was a big influence. Somewhere in there though, I started to lose myself a bit, because I was trying to be so many things.
Yeah, being in a big music market like Nashville, there are so many different avenues a person can go. With Nashville especially, it goes a lot further than just country music, which is where people often stop at. I liked your term of anthemic pop rock to describe it, but there’s a lot going on over there. On to your LA move, how do you carry that experience over here?
The first thing that comes to mind is the power and process of collaboration and co-writing. When it came to writing the songs on the new record, I had some great help in my corner and narrowed the album down from a ton of songs. I also was just able to find myself again, which has been great. I was always the kid daydreaming in class about being out here in LA.
Is it what you thought it would be?
So far, it feels like I’m living that dream I’d think about when I should have been paying attention in class. A few months ago, I was in the studio recording a song that’s on the new record called “Down,” and I got to work with Rob Cavallo who’s produced for some of my favorite albums of all time, and I’m holding his guitar–if you listen to “Iris” or “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” it’s THAT guitar. We mic’d the guitar and muted the placeholder electric we had on the track, and I was literally living what I would be daydreaming about. I’m getting chills talking about it right now! It’s just all unreal.
Bring me up to speed with yourself, and with Hardcastle now– what are you excited about, and what has changed/felt new?
Over a year ago, I connected with Rob and Lisa Cavallo with Done Deal Management. Lisa has just been truly a life-changing mentor, and from the first moment I sat across from her at the table, I felt seen and encouraged to be myself wherever that takes me. I would start having A&R meetings with Rob which was crazy, and HE encouraged me to be myself too, even if it’s left of center. I was also in a place where I was ready and open to receive that kind of advice. Then I got back into the songwriting part and reconnected with the stuff that first turned me on to music, like back when I was a kid in the back of my dad’s car. I guess for a while, I had lost the connection to that ‘spark’–but fast forward to now after being in the studio, I have this record that’s everything I’ve ever wanted and that represents me and all of the people I’ve worked with for Hardcastle, whatever that entity is. I feel completely represented.
What would you like to tell Hardcastle fans about this new phase?
Overall I think it will be different, but it’s a return to center for me. You’ll hear it when you hear it!
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Through this band transition, Graham has kept busy under the Hardcastle moniker. He released the track ‘Malibu’ in 2023. Before that, Hardcastle collaborated with LA-based singer/songwriter Lorelei Marcell on a single called “Flashbacks,” releasing both a studio-recorded version, as well as a stripped-down acoustic version. 2022 brought fans 2 EPs– Hundred Million Seconds released in October, as well as One More in June. In between the EP releases, September 2022 brought listeners two additional singles “Holding on to You” and “Murphy’s Law”. While Graham’s strong songwriting and instrumental arrangement is present in all of his work, he leans heavier into the bedroom pop/pop rock genres.
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Currently, ‘Mundane’ and ‘Back To You’ are both around 5M plays on Spotify. Did either of those songs feel different during creation, and what are your thoughts on them now being a few years out?
When I wrote those songs, they both came as ideas while I was writing in my room on this $50 piano that I was borrowing from Val. Mikey Reaves, Val Hoyt, and Ben Cramer were collaborators that helped me fully realize ‘Mundane’. Owen Lewis, too, was a big part of the production. And then Madelyne Morris was my co-writer on ‘Back To You’. Although, it initially felt like those melodies just started coming out of me, kind of spiritually.
So you felt it right off the bat that they were special?
Yeah, and when all of those were popping off, it was everything. I just kept thinking about how lucky I was. After a while during that ‘lost’ period for me, the meaning and impact of those songs were sort of lost on me, too, but now that I got this going I look back on those songs with the same fondness and admiration.
I mean, that’s how I’m here right now! I remember I was put onto “Mundane” around 2020, and then have been sort of following you guys from then on. When I saw the show billing for Hardcastle @ Paramount LA I knew I could have an opportunity to do this chat here. It’s cool that those songs are part of the reason we’re talking now.
Exactly! That’s why those songs are amazing. I’m glad that they had an impact on people.
If you could tell past Graham anything, what would it be?
It’s clichè for a reason, but just keep going. Open your mind to new possibilities and give yourself some grace, and that’s really it. It’s a long journey, and you really don’t know how it’s all going to go. Earlier on, I thought I knew how it would all go, and that kind of poisoned the well a bit for me.
What about future Graham? What would you say to him?
Probably just to stay connected to joy. Trust that that’s a worthy investment, even if it’s something you can’t quantify or qualify.
Just to wrap it up here, and kind of a fun one to end on–who was your first concert, and best concert?
Oh, man! My first concert was Wilco with my family in Atlanta. I was raised on that band, and we saw them a couple of times in Atlanta. Every second of every day was Wilco, haha.
The one that jumped out at me when you said “best concert”–I remember Val and I camped out early in the morning to see Foo Fighters at Centennial Olympic Park. I remember the doors opened and we sprinted up to the barricade and got way up close. Actually, we tried to throw our demo CD at [Dave Grohl.]
That’s hilarious! How old were you?
I think I was a sophomore in high school. I remember thinking this could be our moment, like “Put us on stage right now!”
Amazing. Any other thoughts you had before we call it a wrap?
If anyone wants to bring us on tour, we’re looking to do that!
You heard it here first, everyone! Hardcastle is ready! Thank you for your time, Graham.
This was so fun, thank you!
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Hardcastle gave fans incredible onstage energy, thanks to Noah Christian (bass), Raul “Perro” Murillo (guitar), Aram Behshid (drums), Zeph Park (keys, guitar), and frontman/singer and interview guest Graham Laderman. Hardcastle has always had their roots in rock, but opts for an edgier sound that feels like it fits in your favorite 2000s alternative rock playlist on your iPod. The band performed fan-favorite “Mundane,” but left the rest of the setlist for their new and unreleased tracks, in addition to Perro surprising fans with a cover of the popular Spanish pop rock song “Lamento Boliviano.” Fans can expect Hardcastle’s new sound slated for release in May of this year, with the full record expected in early Fall 2024.
On March 23rd, Maisie Peters wrapped up her final Australian show of “The Good Witch Tour” in Melbourne at Margaret Court Arena. The 23 year old British singer-songwriter put on an impressive performance with 19 of her hits and with support acts Dylan and local superstar Gretta Ray.
Gretta Ray was first to take the stage. Her performance was a testament to her artistry, seamlessly blending folk, pop, and indie elements to create a sound that was both familiar and refreshing. Tracks like “Drive” and “Dear Seventeen” evoked a wave of emotion from the audience, showcasing Gretta’s ability to connect on a deeply personal level.
Dylan was next in line to perform and the way she embraced the stage was like a rockstar but in a pop star’s body. Throughout her set, Dylan showcased a remarkable ability to perform and interact with the crowd; she even gave us the backstory for the lyrics behind the song “You’re not Harry Styles” which, as you guessed, is based on an ex-boyfriend.
However, it was Maisie Peters who truly commanded the show with her infectious energy and magnetic presence. From the moment she appeared and dressed in her signature style, Maisie captivated the audience with her impressive performance as she belted out fan favourites like “Blonde” and “Lost the break up,” which echoed through the arena.
But it wasn’t just Maisie’s undeniable talent that would be remembered for the night, it was her authenticity and vulnerability that truly resonated with the audience. Maisie invited the crowd into her world with open arms, forging a genuine connection that transcended the confines of the arena.
As the final notes of “Good Witch” echoed through the venue, it was evident that Maisie had left an everlasting mark on everyone in attendance. With her spellbinding performance and unwavering sincerity. I went this gig only knowing a few songs from Maisie, but I can comfortably say that after seeing her show she has gained a new fan.
Singer Paul Klein and drummer Jake Goss of LANY filled our hearts on the night of Wednesday, February 28th during their first of two shows in Austin Texas at the ACL Live Moody Theater. Known as America’s Band, LANY gave an enchanting and lively performance of their hit songs from throughout the years including “XXL” and “Malibu Nights.” The crowd was immersed in an other-worldly set, lighting the venue in colors resembling their various albums. For fans and newcomers, attending a LANY concert is an opportunity to be part of a shared emotional journey, underscored by the band’s dynamic performance and the communal experience of live music.
The “A Beautiful Blur: The World Tour” will continue across North America, South America, Australia, and will finish in New Zealand.
Indie rock band Cold War Kids played an outstanding show at The House of Blues in Cleveland on Monday February 26th alongside opener Joe P. This tour supports their self-titled 10th studio album released in late 2023. The Cold War Kids covered a wide range of their music and kept the crowd energized throughout the show. Beloved classics such as “Hang Me Out to Dry” had the whole venue singing along. Check out photos from the show below.
Multi-Instrumentalist rock powerhouse Ty Segall made a stop in Los Angeles at The Wiltern this past Saturday, 2/23 as a part of his 2024 US tour, Ty, along with his backing group The Freedom Band, electrified the crowd with their improvisational orchestration and winding extended versions of their songs.
The majority of the tracks played came from Segall’s most recent album Three Bells, released in January 2024, starting off the setlist with complex tracks like “The Bell,” “Void,” and “I Hear.” Ty’s unique utilization of guitar tones and textures create auditory mazes to stun and amaze listeners, taking inspiration from several decades of rock, such as the fuzzy rock riffs of the ’70s and occasional harsh grunge akin to ’90s acts. Segall, an Orange County native, found an opportunity to flex his versatility on the SoCal stage by crushing riffs on songs like “Watcher,” then quickly switching to more melodic tracks like “To You.” He completed the electrifying set with “Love Fuzz” as the encore track, much to the ovation from the head-banging audience.
Ty Segall and The Freedom Band march on through the rest of their tour, ending the US leg on 5/11 in Sacramento. The tour continues on to Europe, playing 14 shows from June to September. For fans of a killer rock show, there’s plenty of opportunities to catch Ty coming to a city near you! Readers can check out his new album Three Bells on Spotify, Apple Music, and other music services.
The Devil Wears Prada and Fit for a King brought their co-headlining Metalcore Dropouts Tour to the House of Blues in Cleveland Ohio on January 21st. Opening bands, AVOID and Counterparts, warmed up the crowd for an overall outstanding show. Check out photos from the show below.
crowdsurfermag.com 