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Concert Photography Reviews

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness at the House of Blues in Cleveland

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness performed a truly unique concert experience at the House of Blues in Cleveland Ohio on Saturday December 2nd for his New Friends tour. Andrew McMahon, formerly of the band Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin, began releasing music under Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness back in 2014 and has continued releasing incredible music.

McMahon delivered a phenomenal high-energy show from start to finish. This dynamic set had multiple guests onstage, frequent visits to the crowd, and even featured a fan onstage for the song “Highdive.” The show was complete with stunning camping visuals, a kooky park ranger, shadow puppets, marshmallows, and last but not least – a crowdsurfing llama. A major highlight of the show was when McMahon invited members from Wildermiss and Michigander onstage for a performance of “New Friends” all while tossing marshmallows to the crowd. If Andrew McMahon and his llama are set to crowdsurf through your town, don’t miss out. Check out the gallery below for photos from the show.

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Concert Photography Reviews

Shakey Graves at Roadrunner Boston

Shakey Graves’ live performance at Roadrunner in Boston was nothing short of a sonic revelation, an electrifying journey through the soulful intersection of folk, blues, and rock. The venue pulsed with energy as Shakey Graves. His raw, gravelly vocals soared through the air, weaving tales of heartbreak, resilience, and wanderlust. Backed by a phenomenal band, the performance was at once an intimate affair with a genuine rock vibe.

Shakey Graves was poignant and sincere while playing but in between songs he joked and related to the crowd. He alerted the venue that there was a theme for the night and then midset asked if the crowd had guessed the theme. People tossed out guesses, but the game ended when someone from the audience yelled out, “David Lee Roth.” Shakey Graves laughed and agreed leaving us to wonder whether or not that was the actual theme. All this to say, he has a dynamic stage presence and genuine charisma showcasing himself as a captivating storyteller, effortlessly inviting the crowd into his musical world.

The concert was a masterclass in genre-blurring brilliance, leaving an indelible mark on all fortunate enough to witness this spellbinding performance.

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Concert Photography Reviews

Coco Jones performs at The Underground in Charlotte

Coco Jones not only knows how to put on an amazing performance on-screen, but also dazzled her audience at her sold out show at the Underground in Charlotte, North Carolina on the second leg of her first headlining tour named What I Didn’t Tell You. 

Jones’ supporting act Haben gave a heavenly and melodious performance and the audience a glimpse into her new music, and then Ebony Riley gave a soulful and upbeat performance and was not afraid of sharing with the audience of her life experiences. Riley had also made inspiring and thoughtful dedication to her foster parents, who were present during her performance, through her song “Save Me.”

As Jones took the stage, the audience, who were with her through her Disney days and/or new music career, were ecstatic to see her perform. Talent and beauty radiated the stage as Jones performed music from her album What I Didn’t Tell You, such as “ICU,” “Double Back,” and “Caliber.”  At one point of the show, despite what seemed to be slight technical difficulty on stage, Jones continued the show by singing a capella to the audience, including some of her earlier music such as “Holla at the DJ.” 

Overall, the show was everything I personally expected it to be: to see such talented artists grow through their music as they continue to navigate their way through their careers. For Haben and Ebony Riley to give such beautiful and vulnerable and soulful performances was inspiring as they continue to express their experiences through song. For Coco Jones, it was nostalgic, yet amazing to see her grow from a teenager on Disney Channel to a young woman touring on her first headlining show. 

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Concert Photography Reviews

Suki Waterhouse in Charlotte

Suki Waterhouse, with her talented openers, Danielle Durack and Carol Ades, performed at The Amp Ballantyne in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 6th. All three of the singers put on an unforgettable set showcasing their individual talent.

First Danielle Durack took the stage with her acoustic guitar. With her beautiful voice she connected with the audience winning the hearts of the crowd. Next, it was Carol Ades, who with her playful energy and emotional music, made for a fun and yet heartfelt set.

Then it was time for Suki Waterhouse to grace the crowd with her presence as she headlined the show. She came out in a sparkly jumpsuit and it felt as if she was glistening among the stars in the sky that night. Her performance was full of passion as she danced around on stage, flipping her hair, singing, putting on a fantastic show. It was a magical night full of empowering female artists. It was evident that all three of the performers really love what they do and enjoy perfecting their craft. The audience left the show on a high after attending a concert that was worthy of being remembered.

Photos and article by Sarah Sturgis.

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Concert Photography Reviews

P1Harmony at Opry House

February 12, 2023 was a night to remember – and not because of the Super Bowl – as P1Harmony became the first K-pop band to play the historic Grand Ole Opry in Music City. Their setlist included songs across their discography, including “Back Down” and “BFF” from their latest EP Harmony: Set In, as well as favorites from past releases such as “Doom Du Doom” and “Follow Me,” the latter in which the crowd was delightfully shocked when streamer cannons shot off towards the end of the song.

Being in Nashville, the band naturally thought to give a shout out to country music. Soul decided to sing an a capella rendition of “Home on the Range,” which was hilarious and at the same time beautiful, and the entire audience sang along with smiles on their faces.

The band acknowledged that it was Super Bowl Sunday, and everyone could have been at home watching Rihanna play. But they weren’t, so P1Harmony was grateful to their fans for being there. Judging by the cheers, deafening screams, and dancing throughout the concert, we don’t think it was a tough decision for them.

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Concert Photography Reviews

Tove Lo // Dirt Femme Tour

Tove Lo kicked off her North American Dirt Femme Tour in Music City with a sold out show at the historic Ryman Auditorium. She started the night with high energy, opening with “Pineapple Slice” before moving into “Attention Whore,” both songs off of her latest album Dirt Femme. She then laid down some ground rules for us before continuing, which included dancing with her, crying with her, and feeling sexy at least once.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the wardrobe! Tove Lo started the night in her iconic golden piece most notably featuring faux nudity, and later changed into a sparkling, fringe-covered outfit with rips all the way up and down the pants. Tove Lo commented on her wardrobe after singing “Grapefruit,” a powerful song about her past experience with disordered eating and her relationship with her body. She told us how it was a long journey, but “I’m glad I did the work,” and that now she is clearly “comfortable being half-naked on stage.” She reminded us that her concerts were a place where she wants everyone to be themselves, resulting in cheers and hugs in the audience.

The setlist included songs from each of her albums, but a highlight of the night was when Nashville was treated to being the first to hear a brand new song called “Borderline” – which we can confidently say is a banger and you’ll want to add it to your playlist when it comes out in a couple of days!

When Tove Lo came out for her encores, we were surprised by the third outfit of the night, this one all metallic! As she took the stage again, she told us that she had met a man in Nashville the day before and asked him what he wanted to hear at the show. So the crowd was blessed to hear “Stranger” played live for the first time ever, before Tove Lo closed out the night with the song that started it all – “Habits (Stay High)” – and the beginning of Dirt Femme – “No One Dies From Love.” These two were significant to end the night with, as Tove Lo noted that “Habits” was released independently, and Dirt Femme is her first album as an indie artist, bringing her full circle.

If you weren’t with us in Nashville last night dancing and singing and banging on the benches of the Ryman, we hope you’re catching this show during the rest of the tour!

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Reviews

Sara Kays at Launchpad

American singer-songwriter and TikTok sensation, Sara Kays, opened for MAX at Launchpad in Albuquerque, NM on Wednesday night, giving us a taste of the intimate show that was coming next.

Throughout her set, Sara’s artistry as a solo songwriter shined through her beautifully raw and soft vocals. She also displayed her talent as a guitarist and ukulele player through her soulful acoustic set. She played a mix of both previously released and new songs and surprised the crowd with a cover of a “song about bugs!”

“I think you all know this one,” Sara said before she started to sing Owl City’s “Firefly.” And as soon as she began singing it, the crowd went wild!

Throughout her set, Sara was super interactive with the crowd, telling them about her inspiration behind her lyrics. “Have you ever been walking on the sidewalk with a group of friends, and there’s not enough space for all of you to walk side by side, so you have to step off or walk behind everyone else?” Sara asked the crowd. “Yes!” they replied. “Well, that’s never been me, but this next song is about you guys,” Sara jokingly said causing the crowd to burst out in laughter before she began playing “Chosen Last.”

Next, Sara played a song that resonated with many individuals in the crowd. She explained that the lyrics summarized her experiences with body dysmorphia and wanting to fit into society’s standards of beauty. “Let’s get in our feels before MAX comes out and makes us forget sad,” she said as she began a beautifully emotional performance of “Smaller Than This.”

“Before MAX comes on, I have one more sad song for you guys” she said before ending her set with the song that started it all for her, “Remember That Night.

Sara Kays put on a great opening show for those who came to see MAX in Albuquerque. Not only was her performance, vocally, musically, and lyrically, on par, but her interaction with the crowd was intimate, relatable, and fun. Sara Kays is a force to be reckoned with and we can’t wait to see what comes next from her!

Make sure to stream Sara Kay’s here and give her a follow on socials @sarakaysmusic.

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Reviews

MAX at Launchpad

Have you ever listened to MAX’s “Basement Party” and wondered what it would be like to be at that party with him? Well, MAX took the stage at Launchpad in Albuquerque, NM on Wednesday night and to say that it was the best basement party is truly an understatement!

The show started with a beautiful set by Sara Kays, which got the crowd up on their feet and ready for the big show coming next. The venue buzzed with anticipation and excitement as the lights started to flash, signaling MAX’s arrival to the stage. The crowd went wild as he ran on stage and started his set singing “Wasabi” from his newest album, Color Vision.

“The vibes are so good in here! You’re a small crowd, but you are LOUD! I like it, I like it,” MAX told the audience. With a crowd of about a hundred people, those who attended experienced a super intimate show. MAX constantly interacted with the fans, whether that be drawing out some tattoo designs on a poster, taking a selfie with a fan, or just having fun conversations with everyone throughout the show.  

It truly felt as though we were just hanging out with MAX and having a little party, dancing and singing along to our favorite songs. The crowd became a part of each song as MAX gave them a chance to shout out the lyrics, resulting in a constant back and forth between them all night.

Before he went down memory lane with a nostalgic track from Nickelodeon’s Rags, Max sincerely thanked everyone there saying, “whether you’ve been with me since the very beginning, starting ten years ago, or if you’re a new fan, I’m so grateful for every single one of you!” He went on to sing the intro of “Someday” for his OG fans.

“This next song is definitely fitting for this venue, its small and it feels like we’re having a ‘Basement Party,’Max told the crowd. And this track had everyone jumping and having a good time. Before performing one of his most popular songs, he said “For the next one, I want to see a sea of lights because this song is called ‘Lights Down Low.’” When MAX thought the crowd couldn’t get any louder, they proved him wrong during this song!

If you are ever looking to attend a show that will leave you a hundred and ten percent satisfied, MAX is the way to go. MAX really knows how to put on a performance that will only leave you wanting more! Make sure to stream MAX’s music here and catch him live in a city near you. He puts on a show that you surely won’t want to miss!

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Reviews

Noah Cyrus at The Historic El Rey Theater

After four years, Noah Cyrus has returned to the stage for The Hardest Part Tour, and we’ve never been more excited! On Wednesday night, Noah performed for a sold-out crowd at The Historic El Rey Theater in Albuquerque, NM with a beautiful and heartfelt opening performance by gigi.

Excitement and anticipation circulated through the crowd as they chanted “Noah! Noah! Noah!” moments before the singer came on stage. Noah made an entrance with the first song on the setlist, Noah (Stand Still), wearing a stunning red leather dress. With a minimally dressed stage, Noah and her riveting vocals were surely the stars of the show.

The setlist mainly included songs from her debut studio album, The Hardest Part which was released last month, as well as from THE END OF EVERYTHING released in 2020.  Noah surprised the crowd by playing Again and Make Me (Cry) for her OG fans. The smaller venue allowed the crowd to feel a more intimate and personal connection with Noah as they sang along with her.

Throughout the night, Noah stopped between songs saying, “I am so happy to be on stage with you guys.” She was not afraid to get personal while sharing her struggles and mental battles that led to the creation of her new album, saying, “I was almost afraid and felt like I was running away from creating this album, but I was really just running away from myself. I had a lot of time to work on myself while writing this album.”

Noah ended the show with a three-song encore that included an emotional performance of Lonely where everyone in the crowd sang their heart out. Noah put on a great show for her fans and left them wanting more by the end of it.

Make sure to stream Noah’s album The Hardest Part here and catch her live in a city near you. She puts on a show that you surely won’t want to miss!

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Concert Photography Reviews

Jeremy Zucker and Babygirl

Jeremy Zucker returned to New York City for the first time since moving to L.A. on Thursday, November 18. Performing at Terminal 5, the artist was supported by the fast-rising Toronto-based pop punk band, Babygirl.

Describing their music as “pop songs with sad guitars”, Babygirl has quickly amassed a dedicated following. With a pocket of enthusiastic fans packed into the front of the crowd, the band played singles such as “Easy” and “Million Dollar Bed” from their latest EP, Losers Weepers. Their fans sang back every word without missing a beat, singing particularly loudly for Babygirl’s 2018 hit, “I Wish I Never Met You”. In between songs, the crowd professed their love for the band and screamed in support. 

As the night progressed, the anticipation grew for the packed Terminal 5 crowd. Chants of “Jeremy! Jeremy! Jeremy!” began filling the room as Jeremy Zucker’s set time approached. As the lights dimmed and Zucker’s intro song rang out, deafening screams filled the air.

The New Jersey-born artist initially gained major traction within the music scene during his senior year of college in 2018. Torn between completing his degree and pursuing music full time, Zucker chose to finish off college and immediately went on tour upon graduating. It’s safe to say this choice has not held the artist back whatsoever — since that time, he’s amassed an incredible 5.3 million global streams and sold 3 million albums.

Unable to tour his 2020 album, Love Is Not Dying due to the global pandemic, and releasing a new album, Crusher in 2021, Zucker performed a carefully curated mix of the two albums with other singles interspersed. Starting with “we’re fucked, it’s fine” off of Love Is Not Dying, Zucker managed to contain the wildly enthusiastic crowd during the opening number. Zucker then transitioned into “Therapist” off of Crusher — the more upbeat song perfectly matched the audience’s excitement and allowed the artist to showcase some of his dance moves. Though Zucker faced sound issues as the set progressed, he did not skip a beat and continued on.  

Towards the end of the night, Zucker took a break to call out the fact that he grew up right across the pond from New York City. Pointing to the second level, he gushed that his family and close friends were all in attendance, making the night extra special for him. One of the close friends was fellow musician, Chelsea Cutler, who came out to perform “you were good to me” off of their joint EP, Brent. 

It’s safe to say the audience thoroughly enjoyed the night, as almost each and every face was lit up with a smile as the crowd dispersed from the venue. 

Photos and article by Ana Medvedeva