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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 5 days

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Fastball – City Winery – Philadelphia, PA – April 19, 2024

30 Years of Fastball were condensed into one action-packed night at the Philly City Winery, previewing the upcoming album Sonic Ranch and tapping their substantial songbook for an evening of terrific power pop-rock.

The band, formed in the early 1990s in Austin, Texas and featuring the same central trio – singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Tony Scalzo, singer/songwriter/guitarist Miles Zuniga and drummer Joey Shuffield. They were joined onstage by guitarist and keyboardist Dave Scher, a fellow Austin native.

Fastball climbed into the show with a burning take on “Fire Escape.” The power chords came out to play with the rocking midtempo jam “Warm Fuzzy Feeling.” Then they blew through a fun but slightly creepy version of the psychedelic-rock-tinged “Charlie, The Methodone Man,” which the band cheerfully acknowledged from the stage had their dumbest lyrics. Not that there is anything wrong with dumb lyrics, they insisted, as Scalzo demonstrated by singing a snippet of Manfred Mann’s classic single “Do Wah Diddy.” (“There she was just a-walkin' down the street, singin' 'Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do.'”)

They followed up by the scathing – but surprisingly tuneful – personal rebuke “Hummingbird” from the upcoming album, in which Zuniga derided the delusional beliefs of a frenemy over a wonderfully catchy folk-rock base. Similarly cutting was another Sonic Ranch tune, the reverb-heavy “America” which took a look at the American political divide over a spy-theme cool driving melody.

The band also took on the sweet harmonies of “All I Was Looking For Was You,” and played a cool medley of the band’s “Love Comes in Waves” matched up with rock classics by Led Zeppelin (“D’yer Mak’er”) and the Steve Miller Band (“The Joker.”) Fastball toyed with styles with the folk-rocky “I Will Never Let You Down” and country vibed “The Girl You Pretended to Be.”

The power pop was strong on a live version of their current single – and preview of the upcoming album – “Rather Be Me Than You.” Then they took on the soulful Stax feel of “Growing, Growing Gone” and “On and On” – another pop-tastic preview of the upcoming record.

Leading into the encore, Fastball pulled out their two biggest hits. Still packing a punch was the gorgeous love-lost ballad “Out of My Head” (which was not only a big hit for Fastball, but also had a renewed life with five-ten years ago when the chorus was extensively used as the base of Machine Gun Kelly and Camila Cabello’s smash “Bad Things.”)

Then the main act closed out on their biggest hit, the whimsical “The Way,” about a true story of an elderly couple which disappeared. Although the real-life story turned out later to be more tragic, Scalzo’s lyrics imagined a sweet outcome for the heroes. (Also, am I the only person in the world who thinks the song is musically a dead-ringer for a sped-up version of Tom Jones’ old murder ballad “Delilah” – particularly in the intro?)

After a brief break, the band got back up for an encore, slamming the night closed with “Daydream” and a rocking take on “Sooner or Later.”

Thirty years of great pop came and went in the blink of an eye.

Jay S. Jacobs

#Fastball #2024 #Concert Reviews #City Winery #Philadelphia #Jay S. Jacobs

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 6 days

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Real Estate – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – April 16, 2024

Real Estate is a New Jersey based indie-rock alternative band who made their debut in 2009. Albums over the years include Real Estate, Days, Atlas, In Mind, The Main Thing, and Daniel. Since then, there have been some lineup changes with new members, but they still ring true to their dream pop, tranquil, gentle, wistful sounds. With support from artists like Florry, Marina Allen, and Water From Your Eyes, you can catch the band with one of these artists on tour throughout the month of May.

Real Estate headlined the stage on a Tuesday night show in Philly at Union Transfer. The band has been touring for their latest album release, Daniel. Even with the changes over the years, along with exploring new sounds, Real Estate’s roots still showed when it came to their dreamy melodies.

Most of their songs start off with a simple, acoustic guitar riff, and then chime into a dreamy plethora of synth sounds, drum fills and harmonies, leaving an all-around ethereal atmosphere. The crowd was full of smiles, swaying and bouncing along to the music that almost portrays a sense of summer nostalgia. The band also played some hits from their earlier albums that the crowd sang choruses along to, one of them being the song “Real” off of 2011 album Days.

Cecilia Orlando

#Real Estate #2024 #Concert Reviews #Union Transfer #Philadelphia #Cecilia Orlando

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 14 days

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Caroline Rose – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – April 12, 2024

Union Transfer was the place to be on Friday as Caroline Rose brought their North American tour to Philly. It was a beautiful evening that was even better if you had tickets to this show. Singer-songwriter Caroline Rose was nominated for Best Recording Package at the 2024 Grammy Awards for their latest album, The Art of Forgetting. This tour is an incredible work of art, the stage presence Caroline holds for their fans is something you rarely see. The crowd was so excited for the night.

Caroline began the set with the song “Tell Me What You Want,” one of their more popular songs off the new album. The audience, so diverse in age, were all going equally insane for the singer. After a few more songs off the same album, Caroline had some dialogue with the audience in between songs. The concert turned into what felt like a comedy show, them joking around with the crew and the audience laughing along.

The concert felt so intimate with how close the singer seemed to be with the crowd, belting their hearts out during the songs and joking along together in between them. The switch between the more mellow songs like “Stockholm Syndrome” off their newest album and the more upbeat songs off their older albums like Loner and Superstar. They left the stage with “Cry!” a powerful and loud song to almost end the night.

Coming back onstage strong with the encore, Caroline played “I Took a Ride,” a magical, synth-heavy, moody number. Then, “The Kiss,” an angelic way to end the show, these two songs back-to-back flowed so well and gave the audience a beautiful end to the show. The audience was in awe of Rose as they ended the set. Nonstop applause and cheering for the band and lead singer as they exited the stage.

It was an incredible show, complete with a variety from Caroline’s discography, new and old, and the audience loved it. Such a tasteful show, full of amazing music, lots of laughs, and lots of love in the audience. A beautiful night at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer. I highly recommend going out to a Caroline Rose show.

Maria Gilles

#Caroline Rose #2024 #Concert Reviews #Union Transfer #Philadelphia #Maria Gilles

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 27 days

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Tiny Habits & Beane – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL – March 29, 2024

From singing in stairwells to headlining their first tour together, Tiny Habits is a band formed by three best friends who share the same love and passion for music.

Tiny Habits is a group of singer-songwriters who met at Berklee College of Music and started singing and writing together in 2022. They just released their first EP, “Tiny Things,” in 2023 and are now doing their first headlining tour.

They played a sold-out show in Chicago this past Friday at one of the iconic venues, Lincoln Hall. Heading into the venue you could already feel the excitement from all the fans and hear all of them talking about what songs they wanted to hear.

The show started with the amazing and talented singer-songwriter, Beane. He got the crowd’s attention from his beautiful angelic vocals filling the room. You could tell he was feeling the love the crowd was giving him from the beginning to the end of his set.

Finally, what all the fans were waiting for, Tiny Habits, took the stage. Their harmonies filled the room as everyone turned their attention to them and only them. The crowd never left the band throughout the whole show. They covered songs from “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish to “Landslide” by the iconic Fleetwood Mac. The show was one to remember for sure. We can’t forget their favorite songs of the night, “Flicker,” “People Always Change,” and the definite favorite of the night, “Tiny Things” which brought the show to an end.

This show was definitely one for the books for me. Tiny Habits is touring all over this year, if you need a show to see add this group to your list!

Emily Kaprowski

#Tiny Habits #2024 #Concert Reviews #Lincoln Hall #Chicago #Emily Koprowski

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 1 month

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Jack and Jack & Sammy Wilk – The Foundry – Philadelphia, PA – March 20, 2024

It was an exciting night at the Foundry this week as Jack and Jack stopped by Philadelphia for an incredible night on their “No Place Like Home” tour. It has been about five years since Jack and Jack performed in Philadelphia, so fans were ecstatic to see their favorite pop-rap duo take the stage once more! Joined by Sammy Wilk and Sk8, Jack and Jack gave Philadelphia a night to remember.

First to take the stage was Sammy Wilk, whose set got the crowd hyped up and ready for the night to begin. Starting off his set with “Mexico,” “Drugs,” and “Saturday (The Wedding Song),” Sammy’s smooth vocals and upbeat instrumentals had the crowd singing and dancing along the entire time. He continued his set with an unreleased song, “Mrs. Perfect,” followed by a long-time favorite, “Aye Ma,” and songs “Come Get Lost,” “Could Be,” “Light Up,” and “Best Friend.” Sammy’s energy stayed consistent throughout his entire set, and the excitement in the crowd throughout his performance was palpable.

At around 9pm, it was time for Jack and Jack – a.k.a. Jack Gilinsky and Jack Johnson – to take the stage. As the lights went low, the screams and cheers from the crowd were deafening! They started their set with some tracks from their latest album released earlier this month titled Home, including “I Thought I Was Dead,” “Stuttering,” my personal favorite: “Bonnie and I,” and “Control.” With the album coming out just three weeks ago, fans knew every word by heart. Jack Gilinsky’s rich vocals combined with Jack Johnson’s upbeat rap skills have always made for an incredible performance, and tonight was no exception. Their stage presence was captivating as they interacted with the crowd, and took advantage of every inch of the stage, creating an energetic and lively atmosphere.

Jack and Jack serenaded the crowd with a beautiful acoustic moment in the set as they covered The Kid Laroi’s “Where Does Your Spirit Go,” as well as acoustic versions of their own tracks, “Beg,” “Daydreaming,” and a cover of Jonas Blue’s “Rise.” After a mellow acoustic break, the energy picked right back up as they went on to perform “Home,” the title track of their latest album, before beginning a large medley of some of their fan-favorite throwback songs. As the medley began, screams filled the room as fans sang their hearts out to every single word, struck by the nostalgia of these tracks. The medley consisted of “Flights,” “Paradise (Never Change),” “Wrong Ones,” “California,” “Wild Life,” “Cold Hearted,” “Groove,” and “Tides.”

They finished their set on a great note, with “Ecstasy,” “French Love Story,” “2 Cigarettes,” and brought out Sammy Wilk to perform “Paranoid,” before bringing out Sk8 to finish the night with their iconic hit song, “Like That.” Overall, it was an incredibly fun and energetic night with Jack and Jack. After being a fan since their start and seeing them grow throughout their career, it was wonderful to see them take the stage again. Be sure to stream their latest album Home available on all streaming platforms!

Emma Fox

#Jack and Jack #2024 #Concert Reviews #The Foundry #Philadelphia #Emma Fox #Kaylee Marie

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 1 month

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Grouplove – Palace Theatre – St. Paul, MN – March 15, 2024

Alternative indie band Grouplove hit the road again for their Rock and Roll You Won't Save Me Tour and made their 11th stop in St. Paul. The tour kicked off on February 28th, 2024, in Seattle, WA.

Grouplove is a band that has consistently been one of my favorite bands for the past 7-8 years, so to say I was excited to be covering this show would be an understatement. Their stage set-up was intricate and intentional, and it definitely set the scene for the amazing visuals and lights that were to follow. Finally, the lights dimmed, and the crowd knew it was time. From the minute the band hit the stage, everyone could tell that we were in for a special show. The energy was through the roof from the start of the show until the encore at the end.

When the time in the set came for them to perform their number one song, “Tongue Tied,” everyone from the GA floor to the tops of the balcony was on their feet with their hands up, singing every word. It made me smile to look around and feel the energy of everyone celebrating such a high-energy and genuine performance. Being able to see Grouplove live felt very full circle and will definitely go down as one of my favorite performances.

Maddy Loch

#Grouplove #2024 #Concert Reviews #Palace Theatre #St. Paul #Maddy Loch

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 1 month

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Mitch Rowland & Harris Harper – Theatre of the Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA – March 15, 2024

On Friday, TLA in Philadelphia welcomed the incredibly talented Mitch Rowland to the stage for a night on his first ever headline tour. Mitch was joined by Harris Harper on this tour, fans gathered eagerly for a night of truly beautiful music.

Harris Harper was first to take the stage, joined by her brother, CJ Harper. Their voices paired together beautifully, as their mellow and pure vocals and instrumentals rang through the venue. Fans were captivated by Harris’ sweet tone instantly, as her voice and energy were both soft and gentle. This was a beautiful and calming start to the night as their set came to a close.

After a short break, it was time for Mitch Rowland to take the stage. His presence was met with screams and cheers from the crowd as Mitch and his band, including his wife Sarah Jones on drums, took their places and the night began. Mitch played the entirety of his debut album, Come June in full, and fans sang along to every word.

Mitch interacted with the crowd, discussing meanings of the songs before they were played, and paying tribute to each band member on stage. Each song was performed beautifully, his rich vocals serenading the crowd. Mitch took a moment to express his gratitude to the fans for coming out to support him, before briefly exiting the stage and coming back on for an encore, where Mitch and his band performed a cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’.”

Overall, the performance was beautiful, and a great tribute to his incredible well-rounded talent as an artist! Be sure to stream Mitch Rowland’s debut album, Come June!

Emma Fox

#Mitch Rowland #Harris Harper #2024 #Concert Reviews #TLA #Philadelphia #Emma Fox

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 2 months

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Kid Bloom & RMR – The Foundry – Philadelphia, PA – March 8, 2024

Kid Bloom, also known as Lennon Kloser, graced the stage for an incredibly exciting night on his “Inner Light” tour. Joined by RMR, Kid Bloom blew us away with his talent, making for a wonderful performance.

First to take the stage was RMR, whose energy and passion immediately made an impression on the crowd. Fans who were familiar with RMR sang along to every word, while the others danced along, immediately captivated by his stage presence. He performed songs including “Rascal,” “Dealer,” and “Beautiful Chaos.”

After a quick break, it was time for Kid Bloom to take the stage! The packed venue went wild as Kid Bloom and his band – consisting of Mihailo Lukic, Brennan Benko, and Eian McNeely – took the stage. Kid Bloom began his set with “Cowboy,” “Have U Seen Her,” “Dead Butterflies,” and “Walk With Me.” His smooth and rich vocals filled the room, as fans sang and danced along to every word. Kid Bloom had recently released his new EP, “Inner Light (Phase 1)” in February, so fans were eager to hear the new songs performed live.

The set continued with “I Fell In Love Again,” “Baby You’re Alright,” “That’s What Happens,” and “4 The Best,” incorporating some new songs, unreleased music, as well as some throwbacks in his setlist as well. The chemistry between each of the members on stage was so much fun to watch, as the energy radiating from the stage was captivating. Fans continued to cheer and sing along throughout his full set, as the vibe in the room was upbeat and Kid Bloom’s energy was contagious. He wrapped up his set with “Hold In, Hold On,” “I Kissed a Girl” and “She Kissed Me,” “Different State of Mind,” and “More Life.”

It is always so much fun to see Kid Bloom take the stage, and this time was no different! His growth as an artist and performer is clear with each live performance, and I can’t wait to see what else he has in store with the full-length album of Inner Light coming soon.

Emma Fox

#Kid Bloom #RMR #2024 #Concert Reviews #The Foundry #Philadelphia #Emma Fox

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 2 months

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Jack Antinoff – REC Philly – Philadelphia, PA – March 4, 2024

Jack Antonoff performed to a small crowd at REC Philly last night, with an intimate six-song acoustic set from his band Bleachers. (See bottom of article for setlist.) Since his musical debut as lead singer in his original band Steel Train in 2002, the New Jersey native has been very active. Notable runs include his involvement in the band Fun as a multi-instrumental role, playing guitar, drums, piano and vocals, as well as songwriting with notable artists such as Taylor Swift, Lana Del Ray and Lorde.

Even before Fun’s hiatus in 2015, Antonoff formed the band Bleachers in 2014. With popular hits such as “Rollercoaster,” “I Wanna Get Better” and “Don’t Take The Money,” all of which sit above 100 million streams on Spotify. In just a decade, Bleachers have had seven headlining tours and two opening act positions on tour.

In recent news, Antonoff has collected yet another Grammy Award in the category “Producer/ Non-Classical” as well as his involvement in the Album of The Year, Midnights by Taylor Swift. With 10 Grammys in 24 nominations, he has accomplished a lot in his still growing career. With one song (“I Wanna Get Better”) claiming a certified RIAA Platinum title and two songs (“Rollercoaster” and “Don’t Take The Money”) claiming a certified RIAA Gold title, Bleachers has proven their place in the music industry.

Set list: I Wanna Get Better / Goodmorning / 45 / Me Before You (Live Debut) / Like A River Runs / Modern Girl/How Dare You Want More

Evan Albuck

#Jack Antinoff #2024 #Concert Reviews #REC Philly #Philadelphia #Evan Albuck

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 2 months

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Night Lovell, Haarper & Germ – The Brooklyn Bowl – Philadelphia, PA – March 1, 2024

This was Night Lovell’s first headlining tour and the event brought together artists known for their contributions to underground hip-hop, dark trap, and various other subgenres. This was a unique lineup created for fans who love and enjoy the darker side of rap.

Night Lovell, mostly recognized for his deep voice and dark atmospheric production, headlined the event. His music is usually characterized by dark rap and obtained a massive following due to his blend of lyrical depth and haunting sounds. His performance was overall electric and had the crowd going wild. He played new songs off his most recent album as well as performing some of his hits with the Suicideboys and $not.

Haarper, known for his dark trap-style music was the second opener of the night. He had a very unique way of controlling the crowd… trolling would be the best way to describe it. He was just having some fun with the crowd, and they seemed to enjoy it. He also performed his most listened-to songs, and everyone enjoyed him and his energy.

Germ was the opener. He is mostly known for his punk rap style, and he was super popular with the crowd. Germ performed pretty much all of his hits along with his songs with the Suicideboys. He even played a couple of newer songs as well.

The performances from all three artists were amazing and they did not disappoint. The crowd was electric the entire night and the artists performed with a lot of energy. At the end of the show, Haarper and Germ ended up meeting some of the fans that were waiting for them and signed a couple of things along with taking some pictures.

Joshua Kanner

#Night Lovell #Haarper #Germ #2024 #Concert Review #The Brooklyn Bowl #Philadelphia #Joshua Kanner

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 2 months

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Madi Diaz – World Café Live – Philadelphia, PA – February 28, 2024

Madi Diaz’s recent show in Philadelphia proved to be a moving experience, captivating the audience with her mesmerizing vocals and dynamic stage presence. Diaz got her break as a solo artist after releasing History of a Feeling in 2021. Writing songs for Kesha, Little Big Town, and touring with Harry Styles also contribute to her resume.

Philadelphia was one of the first shows on the Weird Faith Tour, named after Diaz’s most recent album, which came out this year. The setlist for the show started with “Same Risk,” the first track on the album. Madi writes songs about love in ways that feel new and clever. She gives us insight into her life through her music and isn’t afraid to show her vulnerability.

One of the most impressive aspects of Diaz’s performance was her ability to connect with the audience on a deeply emotional level. There was an authenticity to her delivery that resonated with the room. Her lyrics, filled with introspection and raw emotion, served as a reminder of the power of music to evoke human experiences.

Before most of the songs she performed that night, Madi gave her listeners a glimpse into what the song was inspired by. Her short introductions only added to the experience of hearing her perform along with showing her relatability. Backed up by her drummer, Diaz performed her 19 song setlist using three different guitars. The encore ended perfectly with the song “Weird Faith,” which summarized the theme of the night.

Overall, Madi Diaz’s concert was a testament to her talent as a musician and performer. With her soul-stirring vocals and songwriting prowess, she left a lasting impression on all those who attended.

Emily DiMarcangelo

#Madi Diaz #2024 #Concert Reviews #World Café Live #Philadelphia #Emily DiMarcangelo

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 2 months

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Cold War Kids – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN – February 24, 2024

California indie rock band Cold War Kids made their 15th stop on tour at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Since they formed their band in 2004, they've released 12 albums and one live album.

To say I was excited for this show is an understatement. Cold War Kids has been a staple indie band for me since high school and with every album they've released, I keep coming back and enjoying their music. By the time I arrived at the venue, it was packed, and you could feel the energy radiating off of each individual. When the lights went dark and the band took the stage, it was an immediate blast of positive power, not only from the crowd but from the band as well. You could tell that they were excited to be there and play a fun show. That's such a fun feeling, especially from a band that isn't new to the music scene.

Their set started with "You Already Know" which was included on the New Age Norms 2 album released in 2020. New Age Norms 2 is a part of a trio of albums released over the span of three years. This tour was not only meant to celebrate their new 12-song self-titled album released in 2023, but also to celebrate and pay tribute to 20 years as a band. Their set was a fun mix of a little bit of everything, from every album and every era and accompanied by the perfect stage energy and lighting set up to match the vigor of each song. Overall, their Minneapolis show was the perfect ode to 20 years of Cold War Kids and a great celebration of their recently released album. Cold War Kids are definitely a band I'm more than excited to have seen.

Maddy Loch

#Cold War Kids #2024 #Concert Reviews #First Avenue #Minneapolis #Maddy Loch

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 2 months

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Mehro & King Isis – Milkboy – Philadelphia, PA – February 24, 2024

Saturday the incredibly talented Mehro took to the stage at Milkboy for an amazing stop on his Reason to Live tour. Fans gathered eagerly in the tightly packed room, excited for a night full of immense talent and great music. Joined by King Isis, Mehro gave fans a well-rounded and captivating performance, without a doubt leaving them with a night to remember.

The first to take the stage was King Isis. They started the show on a very strong note as their powerful vocals and raw talent filled the room. This was King Isis’s first ever tour, and it was a joy to see them take the stage. Their set consisted of “Make It Up,” a cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” an unreleased track titled “Never Really,” “4Leaf Clover,” and a cover of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever.” They took time to meet fans after their performance, and overall started the show with great energy and set the tone for the night well.

As the lights went low, Mehro took the stage. He started off his set with an excellent selection of songs, including “Dopamine,” “Like You’re God,” “Not Alone,” and “Pirate Song.” Mehro engaged the crowd immediately, leading them through a deep breathing exercise, and encouraging fans to introduce themselves to those that they didn’t know in the crowd. Mehro’s energy was infectious, and he managed to captivate the fans throughout the entire show, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

As Mehro’s set continued, he performed “Hideous,” “Hurt,” “Ketamine,” “Chance With You,” and “Perfume.” His vocals were smooth and powerful, and his energy and passion on stage commanded the room. Mehro’s lyrics are compelling and relatable, as they discuss topics such as relationships, heartbreak, and the mysteries of life. The connection the crowd had to these lyrics was clear, as fans sang and danced along to each song. Mehro finished up his set with “Lady Parts and Mannequins,” “Pretty Kids,” and “Exploding.”

Overall, this was a show full of tremendous music, and was a clear testament to Mehro’s talent and passion as an artist. Be sure to check out a show near you on the Reason to Live tour, and stream Mehro’s latest album, Dark Corners and Alchemy.

Emma Fox

#Mehro #King Isis #2024 #Concert Reviews #Milkboy #Philadelphia #Emma Fox

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 2 months

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Ryan Beatty – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY – February 24, 2024

Ryan Beatty graced Brooklyn Steel with an enchanting performance on February 24, 2024, as part of his Calico Tour. The night unfolded into a mesmerizing experience, showcasing Beatty's exceptional vocal talent and a live band that brought his ethereal sound to life.

The atmosphere at Brooklyn Steel was charged with anticipation as Beatty took the stage, accompanied by his extraordinary live band, no opener needed. From the first notes of "Ribbons," it became evident that the audience was in for a treat. Beatty, with his eyes closed and headphones on, created an intimate space on stage where his soulful voice and emotive lyrics took center stage.

Throughout the performance, Beatty remained seated on the stage, immersed in his music, and sang into the microphone with a captivating vulnerability. The simplicity of his stage presence allowed the audience to focus entirely on the raw and emotive quality of his voice. It was a unique and intimate experience that created a profound connection between the artist and his fans.

In a heartfelt moment, Beatty expressed his gratitude to the audience, conveying a desire for his family to witness the night. This genuine sentiment added an extra layer of intimacy to the performance.

The setlist was a carefully curated selection of tracks from Beatty's discography, each delivered with a passion and authenticity that transcended the recorded versions. Standouts included the soulful "Andromeda," and the dreamy "Bruises off the Peach" and "White Teeth." The live renditions of these songs showcased Beatty's vocal prowess and the seamless synergy with his talented band.

As the night unfolded, the enchanting atmosphere reached its peak during the encore, featuring the hauntingly beautiful "Little Faith." His closing performance left the audience in awe, solidifying the magic of the Calico Tour.

Tyler Michael DiValerio

#Ryan Beatty #2024 #Concert Reviews #Brooklyn Steel #Brooklyn #Tyler Michael DiValerio

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 2 months

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Portugal. The Man – The Stone Pony – Asbury Park, NJ – February 23, 2024

Portugal. The Man – an alternative rock band originally from Alaska, now based in Portland, Oregon – brought their most recent tour to Asbury Park to the iconic music venue The Stone Pony. Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, the legendary club is where artists like Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi got their start. It Is a legendary club ﬁlled with lots of history. A sold-out show at the indoor stage with an age-diverse crowd unlike I’ve seen before at any show.

The night started with the incredible Philly based opening act, SNACKTIME. The group formed just recently during the COVID-19 Pandemic, performing small street shows in places around Philly like Rittenhouse Square. The band is made of seven members, with jazz, soul, funk, pop, hip-hop, and R&B inﬂuences which are heard in all their music.

The band had almost every instrument you could think of up on that stage. Saxophones, trumpets, trombones, drums, guitar, and even a sousaphone! They paid tribute to Bon Jovi by singing “Livin’ On A Prayer,” deﬁnitely a crowd favorite. Their energy was infectious, and the crowd loved them, some even there just to see them! They left the stage, introducing Portugal. The Man.

Before Portugal. The Man came out, the band had Lakota Harden come out onto the stage to discuss her story about growing up as an Indigenous young girl and how rock n roll saved her life. She is an activist for Indigenous rights and welcomed an Indigenous father and daughter to share a song welcoming the crowd to the show. It was an amazing and unique way to kick oﬀ an already great show.

The band came out strong with a long instrumental set with the crowd going insane with excitement. With such a large discography and their ﬁrst album dating back to 2008, they had so many songs and such little time to perform all of them. Their setlist was incredible, with a great mix of songs oﬀ their newest album, Chris Black Changed My Life and their older albums like Evil Friends and The Satanic Satanist. Their stage presence was unique as they seemed to really care about just the live music and not the glitz and glam of performing. They were in their element and focused solely on putting on a good live show.

The band had their opening act, SNACKTIME, back on stage to help them out with some songs with horns. “So Young,” the ﬁrst song they performed oﬀ their album Woodstock, was a crowd favorite. The crowd was packed wall to wall but that didn’t stop anyone from having a fun time. The fans were jumping and dancing around with loved ones and strangers brought together by their music. The band started wrapping up their set with their biggest hit “Feel It Still” oﬀ their album Woodstock, which won the award for Best Pop Duo/Group performance at the 60th annual Grammy Awards in 2019. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Top 100 chart eight months after its release and went 7x platinum in the US.

This was the loudest the crowd was the whole night, people dancing and screaming throughout the entire song. The show was incredible and at such an amazing venue with a great history in the music industry. A show with Portugal. The Man is one you will not want to miss.

Maria Gilles

#Portugal. The Man #2024 #Concert Reviews #The Stone Pony #Asbury Park #Maria Gilles

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 2 months

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Indigo De Souza & Truth Club – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN – February 14, 2024

On the fourth stop of Indigo De Souza's 2024 tour, she stopped in Minneapolis on Valentines Day, which set the vibe perfectly for her show to follow. On her tour she continues to celebrate not only her new album All of This Will End which was released in April of 2023, but also pay tribute to her previous two albums Any Shape You Take, and I Love My Mom. In an Instagram post announcing the additional tour dates, She mentioned these dates would be full of old songs as well as new songs, creating the perfect celebration of her "intimate and anxious indie rock music."

To kick off the show, Alt-rock band Truth Club took the stage with their excited energy and their setlists written on paper plates. Regardless that they were down a bandmate due to sickness, they filled their time with positive energy, lots of smiles, laughter, and a killer set. I had never heard of Truth Club before this show, but I do plan on keeping an eye out for this band in the future and hopefully will get to see them visit Minneapolis soon with a full band. While watching the audience throughout their set, you could definitely feel the excitement radiating throughout the packed room. If you paid enough attention, you could even spot Indigo herself jamming out on the side of the stage as the band worked through their set. While their songs were a little more guitar led than Indigo's, I think Truth Club delivered the perfect performance to kick off this Valentine's Day show.

Indigo De Souza who grew up in North Carolina (as did Truth Club) released her first EP “Boys” in 2016 with her first self-released album I Love My Mom following shortly after in 2018. Her music is raw and intimate as it covers anxiety, relationships, deep emotions, and feeling detached. Her discography comprises topics surrounding death quite frequently as her music explores loss and mortality as an abstract concept. The heightened energy following Truth Club's set did not go unnoticed as the crowd (and me) waited for Indigo to take the stage. Individuals were adorned in Valentine's Day themed makeup, glitter, and an array of colors. Looking around the vibe of the crowd definitely set the scene for an unforgettable show.

When Indigo finally took the stage, she jumped right into the Valentines Day spirit by singing "Be My Love", a song about commitment and unconditional love. The rest of her set was full of ambient lighting, vulnerability, rawness and nothing but love for the individuals who filled the room. While I wasn't familiar with much of her music prior to the show, Indigo De Souza delivered a beautiful show, and she is definitely someone I plan to keep on my radar as she continues to put out future music that highlights all the emotions circulating the universe.

Maddy Loch

#Indigo De Souza #Truth Club #2024 #Concert Reviews #First Avenue #Minneapolis #Maddy Loch

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Briston Maroney & Phoebe Go – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN – February 10, 2024

Tennessee singer and songwriter Briston Maroney brought the energy during his sold-out show at the legendary First Avenue. The Ultrapure World Tour kicked off October 31st, 2023, in Brighton, UK, and as the tour moved from city to city, it's been nothing but sold-out shows, venue upgrades, festivals, high energy, and excitement.

Starting off the show was Indie Alternative artist Phoebe Go. Phoebe is no stranger to the music world, as she was a part of indie dream-pop band Snakadaktal in the 2010s and has been well versed in the music community for the last 14 years. She released her first solo five-song EP “Player” in 2022 followed by her two singles "Something You Were Trying" in 2023 and "7-up" in 2024. When the Australian artist took the stage, she was illuminated by soft warm lighting as she filled the room with a beautiful and raw set consisting of honest and genuine emotion and soft yet strong vocals. As she wrapped up her set, I'd say she definitely set the bar high for the performance to follow.

Once Briston hit the stage, the room was electric. The room was packed with fans of all ages, excitedly awaiting Briston to take the stage. Once he did the room exploded, bright and colorful light filled the space and bounced off the iridescent stage set up. He kicked off his set with "Body," "Small Talk," and "Chaos Party." Two of those songs were featured on his Ultrapure album released in 2023. In his 18-song set, Briston covered hits from his albums Sunflower: Deluxe and Ultrapure. He even visited his EPs “Carnival” and “Indiana.”

You could tell from the energy and the volume of the crowd alone that this show was different from any show on his tour. To make it even more special, Briston welcomed Jake Luppen from Minnesota band Hippo Campus on stage to cover "Boys Don't Cry" by The Cure. Before his encore, Briston sang his well-known and loved song "Freakin’ Out on the Interstate" before he ended his show with "Sink; Swim" and "Ultrapure" itself. To say I was excited for this show is an understatement. Briston Maroney truly knows how to bring an amazing show and feed off the energy of his crowds. Definitely a tour worth seeing."

Maddy Loch

#Briston Maroney #Phoebe Go #2024 #Concert Reviews #First Avenue #Minneapolis #Maddy Loch

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