On the evening of the third stop of their tour, Ron Pope, Lydia Luce, and Caleb Hearn took the stage at The Kessler Theater in Dallas, Texas, delivering a stunning and memorable performance that left the audience buzzing with excitement.
The night began with Caleb Hearn, who captivated the crowd with his soulful acoustic guitar and powerful voice. He played a mix of original songs and covers, showcasing his impressive range and leaving the audience eager for more. Hearn's warm and engaging stage presence set the tone for the rest of the night, making him the perfect opening act for the talented musicians to follow.
Next up was Lydia Luce, whose hauntingly beautiful voice filled the theater with a mesmerizing sound. Luce's performance was a true showcase of her musical talents. She played a mix of songs from her latest album, Dark River, as well as some older favorites, including the hauntingly beautiful "Sausalito." Luce's set was nothing short of stunning, and the audience was left in awe of her vocal range and emotional depth.
Finally, it was time for the headliner of the night, Ron Pope, to take the stage. Pope kicked off the set with "You're the Reason I Come Home," an energetic and uplifting song that had the audience clapping and dancing along. Throughout the night, Pope played a mix of fan favorites and newer material, including "Wherever You Go” and "My Wildest Dreams." His powerful voice and stage presence filled the theater, and the crowd was completely enraptured by his performance.
One of the standout moments of the night was when Pope brought Lydia Luce back on stage to perform a duet of "A Drop In The Ocean," a hauntingly beautiful ballad that showcased both artists' talents. The chemistry between the two musicians was palpable, and the audience was completely mesmerized by their performance.
Overall, the concert was a truly unforgettable experience, showcasing the incredible talents of three amazing musicians. The Kessler Theater was the perfect venue for the intimate and emotional performance, and the audience left feeling completely satisfied and fulfilled. Anyone who has the chance to catch these musicians on tour should not hesitate to do so – it is an experience that they will never forget.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Hunnypot Live show #485! We have a stacked lineup that is sure to get your ears ringing and your heart pumping. Our co-host for the night is none other than the multi-talented Field Cate, known for his impressive acting career and his skills on the guitar. But first, we have some incredible musical acts that are ready to rock the stage. Hailing from Tacoma, WA, Alex Vile is bringing an electrifying mix of 90's grunge and new age indie. Savannah Pope promises to deliver her classic Rock ethos and soaring vocals. And finally, our headliners for the night need no introduction. Fencer, led by Field Cate's sick vocals and lead guitar, will take the stage and give you a night that you won't soon forget. Listen to the full show at the links above. 4/24/23
Field Cate comes from a family of Hollywood entertainers and has carved out his own successful career in the entertainment industry. From an early age, he was drawn to the stage, performing in musical theater and dance productions. He turned professional at the age of five and began booking print work, independent films, and commercials for big-name brands like McDonald's and Fox.
Field gained recognition for his dramatic roles on hit TV shows such as Without a Trace and Cold Case, but it was his series-regular role on ABC’s Pushing Daisies that earned him a Young Artist Award nomination in 2008. He later lent his voice to the popular Disney DVDs Space Buddies, Santa Buddies, and Treasure Buddies.
Field has used his platform to become involved in charitable pursuits. He has spoken out on behalf of PETA, served as a StarPower Ambassador for the Starlight Children's Foundation, and lent his support to organizations like Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
As an adult, Field is pursuing his passion for music as the lead singer and guitarist of the three-piece, Los Angeles-based rock band Fencer. Despite his impressive lineage, Field has proven to be a talented and versatile performer, continuously pushing the boundaries of his craft.
Tacoma, WA’s Alex Vile began as a solo project in 2021 with singer/guitarist Alexandra Vileniusand has turned into a 4 piece Modern, Indie Grunge band with the addition of Kaelyn Stevens on bass, Leo Quile on lead guitar & Evan Hartungon drums.
With DIY roots and also putting her own twist on the genre she is crafting her own space to thrive in. Alex Vile has played numerous shows in the Northwest and has recorded an album worth of songs with Producer Jim Kaufman(Everclear, Night Riots, Instant Crush).
Currently, Savannah is wrapping Pandemonium - a concept album about mental illness -with Nine Inch Nails / No Doubt / III Teeth producer Sean Beavan, set for release this year. She raised all the funds for the album as well as a tour to follow on Kickstarter.
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Fencer, the self-defined garage opera band, is leading a new era of rock music with their own undeniably, dynamic sound. The Los Angeles-based trio consists of vocalist and guitarist Field Cate, bassist Scott Sauve, and drummer Cameron Sauve. Only two years after their inception, they became fan-favorite openers for notable acts such as Badflower, The Wrecks, and Dead Poet Society.
Tackling the stigma surrounding mental health and its struggles, Field’s emotive and frenetic vulnerability resonates with listeners to further solidify the band’s electric presence. The trio have racked up an impressive 2 million listens across all streaming platforms, despite having not even released their debut album. Field’s synesthesia (seeing music in color), Scott’s vigorous bass-lines, and Cameron’s expertise in self-producing flow together to create an eccentric style that is certain to become rock’s newest novelty.
Carcass’ reputation precedes them - the masters of both grind and melodic death metal, their revolutionizing of death metal back in the early 90s cemented them as a household name, and they’ve never left the limelight since. The Liverpoolian’s support on the Torn Arteries tour came in the form of a death and thrash metal sandwich, with support from Creeping Death, Sacred Reich and Municipal Waste, keeping the tempos high and the music very brutal.
Texans Creeping Death started out the night - a bit early in fact - and set the scene for the carnage that would follow! By a considerable margin the band with the shortest tenure, this old-school influenced death metal squad came out the gates flying with extremely tight musicianship that formed a pit in the crowd with ease. Both guitarists’ skulls pretty much never stop rotating, Trey Pemberton in particular, whose dreads were windmilling at least 99% of the entire time they played.
Veterans Sacred Reich followed - their old school thrash metal approach to being loud a crushing contrast to the death-oriented approach of the music preceding them. This Phoenix quartet come across as fresh as ever, a reminder that the sound that brought it down and started it all remains lethally powerful, especially presented live. As Phil Rind screams like a madman over classic grooves and newer addition Joey Radziwill sends his endless hair careening around the stage, it becomes impossible to not want to smash something nearby and headbang as hard as you can.
Municipal Waste rounded out the support for the night, and what a way to set up the crowd for the main act. The Virginians have been around the block and then a bit more too, and seeing them live you really understand why they’ve seen such success. Theatrical and unhinged would best describe the interplay amongst all the band members onstage, a mad party that’s been unleashed on the world. The circle pit forming in the crowd was almost instant and pretty much never let up as groove after groove shook First Avenue’s ancient walls.
The lights settled, the screen rose, and Carcass took the stage. An old friend of mine described their set as “the best show he saw in 2022”, and it’s not even one song in before it becomes apparent why that is. It seems almost unfair that the band - having released classics in two separate genres and single-handedly changing how people viewed whether loud, intense music could also be melodic and catchy - would also be some of the finest live performers around, but they have that in their bag too. Carcass’ sound translates live beautifully, and this is made all the better by their phenomenal musicianship and stage presence. Bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker in particular is an absolute madman, spending more time raising his bass into the sky than keeping it level. It’s a band where I had to chuckle to myself at simply how absurdly good they were several songs into their set, coming off a rendition of "Buried Dreams" from their landmark album Heartwork. Carcass carried their massacre through all of their albums, playing songs off the aforementioned Heartwork, Surgical Steel, Torn Arteries, and a couple tracks of Necroticism…, and even an oncore track off of Symphonies of Sickness.
Minnesota metalheads have been feasting the past week - with Enslaved’s tour hitting the varsity last week and now with the legendary Carcass rolling through First Avenue with a stacked lineup, who could really ask for anything better from the shows available?
Check out the latest video from X-Raided and King Iso, Legendary. These are two of the best and brightest in the industry, and this video highlights why they are so beloved and respected all over the world!
Stay Strange - Matthew Belter
Excerpts from todays press release below:
(April 21, 2023) Today, underground rap phenomenon and Sacramento native X-Raided joins forces with fellow independent luminary King Iso on a knockout new single and music video entitled “Legendary.” Listen to “Legendary” HERE and watch the music video HERE. It adorns his forthcoming Strange Music debut album, A Prayer In Hell, out June 2, 2023.
Gritty production sets the tone right out of the gate, infusing the track with foreboding energy. Meanwhile, X-Raided makes a declaration with a catchy chant as he proclaims, “On a mission to be legendary, James Taylor, Carole King.” For real, when was the last time you heard folk deities referenced in a militantly magnetic hip-hop banger?! Of course, King Iso pulls up with his own brand of bold post-apocalyptic lyrical fire.
About the song, X-Raided commented, “‘Legendary’ is a mission statement of my energy for this chapter of my career. It’s go time. No excuses. It’s my opportunity as a lyricist to remind people what I’m capable of. Hip-hop is a sport to me. I want to win championships. Now I have the best coach and savage teammates. There are no excuses.”
In the accompanying visual, our heroes face a horde of mutant zombies in pursuit of peace. You need to watch it to find out what happens though…
He added, “The video is me and my dawg King Iso trying to save humanity from a zombie virus. We want to leave a better world for our children, both figuratively and literally. Dopeness is the cure and I Am Legend.”
X-Raided continues a prolific year on the path to A Prayer In Hell. He recently unleashed “Stratus Fear” [feat. Tech N9ne]. So far, it has already posted up over 288K YouTube views on the music video in addition to receiving plugs from the likes of The Hype Magazine and more.
“Stratus Fear” was added to 2 popular music playlists, Rap Heavy Hitters on Apple Music and Alternative Hip-Hopon TIDAL.
A Prayer In Hell follows his journey from over two decades behind bars to re-entry in the world and a new lease on life where no moment will be wasted—as evidenced by his relentless output thus far…
Additionally, he has consistently utilized his platform to uplift. He spoke to TMZabout the important implications of California bill AB-2799, which bars the admission of rap lyrics as evidence against defendants (and could’ve saved him from jail time). The outlet added, “X-Raided wants his experiences steer past, current and future inmates in a better direction.” He chatted with hometown paper The Sacramento Bee too.
Last year, he canvased the country supporting Tech on the Asin9ne Tour in addition to appearing on “Still Right Here” [feat. X-Raided, Garrett Raff, & Simeon], reeling in 1.3 million Spotify streams and 338K YouTube views on the music video.
There are very few Finnish bands that have broken into the mainstream media. There are even fewer that have become household names. But one of those very few is a band called HIM. Even in high school in the mid 2000s, when the internet and music sharing wasn’t as easily available as it is now, I knew of the band HIM. None of my friends listened to them, but we all knew about them. That was notoriety back then. It wasn’t until a couple years ago that I finally got into HIM, and unfortunately to me, they had retired. Even though HIM had retired, lead singer Ville Valo could not be kept from making new music or returning to the stage. Announcing his solo project under the name VV, a tour was announced over a year in advance before any song had been released. I marked my calendar and waited patiently as that year passed to finally see Ville Valo on his Neon Noir Tour with support from Kælan Mikla. By the time I got to the Belasco Theatre, the line was already around multiple blocks as fans have just as eagerly been awaiting this show as I have.
Opening the night was an Icelandic three piece called Kælan Mikla. I had no idea what to expect from this band, but to say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. Classifying themselves as a post-punk dark wave band, and dressing like gothic lolita’s. I was immediately captivated. Lead singer Laufey Soffía was casting a witches spell on the audience as she moved her vocals from melodic melodies to stepping back from the mic and full on screaming at the crowd. Bassist Margrét Rósa Dóru-Harrýsdóttir was getting lost in her own melody as she danced throughout the set, but never lost the groove of each song. Pulling double duty on synthesizer and the flute was Sólveig Matthildur Kristjánsdóttir, who created tantalizing melodies that moved the packed crowd. Kælan Mikla played an enchanting set that included songs like “Stormurinn,” “Kalt,” “Sirenur,” “Næturblom,” “Andvaka,” “Solstodur,” and ending with “Hvitir Sandar.” Kælan Mikla may have come to Los Angeles as unknowns, but they left with a slew of new fans.
Finally, after a year of sitting and waiting, we were just moments away from Ville Valo playing Los Angeles again. Opening the night with “Echolocate Your Love,” Ville stepped onto the stage embodying the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. I then heard the biggest scream I have ever heard in the Belasco Theatre as people lost their minds. I have always heard that Ville Valo had a beautiful baritone voice, and you can hear how deep and sultry it is on record but hearing it in person was candy to the ears. Ville doesn’t move to much on stage, he would rather plant himself at the foot of the stage and lock eyes with every fan in the crowd. When the moment comes that you get to catch his gaze, his piercing green eyes fill your soul with pleasure as if Dracula was trapping you under his spell. But as soon as the moment happens, Ville finds his next passionate fan and you are just left wanting more of this man. The night was a fantastic mix of Ville’s solo album, intertwined with HIM’s biggest hits, including “The Funeral of Hearts,” “Neon Noir,” “Loveletting,” “Buried Alive by Love,” “Baby Lacrimarium,” “Wings of a Butterfly,” “Heartful of Ghosts,” “Join Me in Death,” and “When Love and Death Embrace.” As Ville walked off stage, the crowd was left panting in a puddle of their own sweat. But they were not done. They were not done being engulfed by their desire for Ville Valo. Coming back on stage for a four song encore including “Soul on Fire,” “Salute the Sanguine,” “Poison Girl,” and finishing off the night with “Saturnine Saturnalia.” As the lights came up, crowd cried for more pleasure. The crowd cried as they could have kept going. I’ve never seen a single man leave a crowd so wanting of more.
This was just a normal Tuesday to most people, but for the screaming fans at the Belasco Theatre, they were just given ultimate musical pleasure by a man who knows how to seduce with music. I finally understood why so many people were in love with HIM’s music and Ville Valo especially. The man can just gaze into your eyes, and he knows you are his. The wait until he comes back, could be the longest musical celibacy for many people. But this was not a normal concert, this was a night of romance and pleasure that most people may never truly know.
On Wednesday, April 12th, Tannahill's Tavern in Fort Worth, Texas was transformed into a rocking haven as JXDN headlined the evening's show, supported by Beauty School Dropout. The venue was packed with enthusiastic fans, ready to experience the electrifying performance from two rising stars in the music industry.
As the night started, Beauty School Dropout took the stage, quickly capturing the crowd's attention with their unique blend of alternative and punk rock. The band's energy was contagious, and their catchy hooks and upbeat rhythms had the audience jumping and singing along. They played a variety of songs, including "Stuck in a Rut" and "The Mess I've Made," showcasing their versatility and dynamic sound. The band's frontman engaged with the crowd, encouraging them to let loose and enjoy the music. Overall, Beauty School Dropout's performance was a perfect warm-up to the main event.
After a brief intermission, JXDN appeared on stage, and the energy in the room intensified tenfold. The young artist's commanding presence and incredible vocals were immediately apparent, and he effortlessly connected with the audience. The setlist was a mix of his popular hits, including "Angels & Demons" and "Better Off Dead," and tracks from his latest album, Tell Me About Tomorrow. The crowd sang along to every word, and JXDN even brought a fan on stage to share in the experience for the part of MGK in “Wanna Be”
JXDN's performance was a masterclass in modern pop-punk, with heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums, and infectious choruses. The band's energy was electric, and the audience was swept up in the energy and emotion of the performance. JXDN's voice was on-point throughout the show, and his ability to switch from powerful belting to softer, more intimate moments showcased his range as a vocalist.
Overall, the JXDN and Beauty School Dropout concert at Tannahill's Tavern was an incredible experience. Both artists delivered high-energy, unforgettable performances that left the audience wanting more. JXDN proved himself as a talented musician and performer, and Beauty School Dropout showed that they are a band to watch out for in the future. The show was a perfect blend of pop-punk and rock, and it was clear that everyone in attendance had a great time.
Minnesotans were in for a Nordic one-two treat this Wednesday as Insomnium and Enslaved rolled through the Varsity Theater, marking the first return of each band to North American shores since the pandemic hit back in 2020. Each band (with excellent support from New York City’s Black Anvil) also released an album earlier this year (Anno 1696 for Insomnium and Heimdal for Enslaved) and paired up for a combination of the some of the best black metal and melodic death metal has to offer all in one sweet tour lineup.
Black Anvil opened the show with a bang, the band crowded up to the front of the stage to make space for Enslaved & Insomnium’s stage gear, meaning audience members got an up close and personal experience of the veteran New Yorker’s unique combination of raw, black intensity and their defining melodic edge that sets them apart. Their opening set set the mood for the night - intense, hearts on their sleeves, and completely unapologetic. They cruised their way through roughly half an hour of excellent black metal tunes, leaving listeners a bit darker than when the show began.
Insomnium took the stage next - the Finnish legends are a special band for me. Outside of simply being one of my favorite bands to listen to, they also were the very first band I photographed in a large venue. This show was also the first time they have made back to my area since that show due to the cancellations of the Pandemic. In my mind, Insomnium have been the pinnacle of Melodic Death metal pretty much since their inception, and they bring that unparalleled excellence to their live performances. Their combination of latent folk elements and powerful, emotive songwriting has set them apart for the entire time they have existed as a band. The band released new album Anno 1696 earlier this year - based on a short story written by sadly absent Ville Friman - and set out to tour almost immediately on the material. Their set opened with the first track off of that album (the eponymous titled "1696") and lead directly into the second song off that album ("White Christ"). With a nod to old time fans, they left the new material behind briefly for an incredible live rendition of ""While We Sleep. The rest of the set was a delightful mix of new and old - longtime Insomnium fans made some intense noise when the opening piano notes of "The Gale lead into Mortal Share". They weaved into and out of "Anno 1696" and closed with a few tracks off of Heart Like A Grave, their 2019 release. All in all another fantastic performance by this band, and one I look forward to seeing again (hopefully much sooner).
Finally Enslaved took the stage - a band I had long been hoping to see (and photograph) for a very, very long time! Their combination of progressive and psychedelic soundscapes with black metal has always made them stand out, and it’s blade they’ve been refining the edge of since 2004’s Isa, nearly perfected on Axioma Ethica Odini, and continually pushing and developing in interesting ways. Their latest release - Heimdal - came out just over a month ago and continues their 3 decade streak of never releasing a bad album. You’d think that Enslaved would be motivated to hit the stage and play new track after new track - but not the case! Ivar Bjørnson - primary composer and songwriter - sadly could not attend this tour, so the Nords took to the stage as a four piece, with Grutle Kjellson leading the charge and screaming like a madman almost immediately as the opening notes to "Jettegryta" - off their previous album, Utgard - an album they would return to with their next song before veering wildly into their ancient back catalog and staying there for awhile (a few cuts off of Isa, and two(!) tracks off of Below the Lights including an incredible rendition of "Havenless". They did also play a few songs off of Heimdal, however they mostly hung out in their back catalogue - a treat for fans new and old alike.
Altogether - there is not a more perfect pairing of metal bands out there, and you would be making a mistake if you missed out on this tour! There’s still quite a few tour dates left so grab a ticket!
HUNNYPOT is LA's longest running and most entertaining New Music Discovery podcast/showcase. Come out, laugh, sing, and dance along.
We're getting closer to our 500th show, Listen back with the show audio files above. #484! 4/10/23
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Jennifer Freed founded Trevanna Post in NY, after working as a Production Accountant on major motion pictures on both coasts & internationally. Trevanna Post has been the gold standard for Post Production Accounting for more than 26 years, and has grown from a 2 person office in NYC’s historic Brill Building to a firm with offices in NY, Los Angeles and London, staffed by over 50 people. Trevanna has worked with every major, mini-major and independent studio on over 700 film and television shows.
Trevanna Tracks was born out of Jennifer’s unique perspective on the need for more efficient collaboration between those responsible for getting music licenses negotiated, paid and delivered. Jennifer’s access to veteran Film & TV industry experts enabled her to form a powerful think tank around these issues, and to create a new model for researching, budgeting, tracking, paying and delivering music licenses.
Meet FLASCH! This gender-fluid non-binary artist is taking the Los Angeles music scene by storm with their dynamic and bold energy. Originally from a small town in Minnesota, FLASCH fearlessly follows their dreams and pushes boundaries with their unique perspective. Get ready for a wild ride with the rising star of the non-binary music scene!
Genre-defying recording artist, composer and producer Doll Machine has been electrifying stages with her unique and culture-challenging performances.
With roots in electronic, hip hop, pop, jazz, and punk, doll machine brings forth a new level of artistic authenticity and self expression. She’s co-written with Grammy-nominated Telepopmusik, house legend DJ Robbie Rivera and is currently working on a collaboration with Grammy-winning artist, Really Doe. She’s also the co-founder and creative director of monthly Japantown residency Multi-Player.
Read Doll Machine's recent feature in SPIN Magazine, watch her Day In The Life video.
- From : Los Angeles , CA
- Alternative artist
- Art is my therapy , I let the music speak for itself
Kii Arens (One of the most credible and influential in Los Angeles - a critical driver in the creation of modern pop culture. A contemporary American pop-artist, graphic designer, photographer, director, and musician) and Jessy Greene (Violinist, Cellist, Composer, Singer, Lover of Life), together on stage at last.
The first time I got to see Myles Kennedy or Wolfgang Van Halen, both artists were filling the lineup as part of a legendary guitarist band. For Wolfgang Van Halen I was fortunate enough to see him twice playing bass alongside his father Eddie Van Halen during the Van Halen reunion tour in 2007 & the A Different Kind of Truth tour in 2012. Similarly, I have seen Myles Kennedy fronting Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators, as well as seeing him solo. It felt serendipitous that the Pawns & Kings Tour was announced to be featuring both Mammoth WVH and Alter Bridge. The bands that both artists have really been known for. Bringing Pistols at Dawn as the opener, it was time to head back to the House of Blues Anaheim with my best concert going buddy Brandon McCarthy to see these artists with their main bands.
As the lights dimmed, a single guitar could be heard coming over the loudspeakers. As the guitar riff turned into a full-on solo, out walked guitarist John William James Jr, Shredding and looking like Marty Friedman. The night has barely started, and we were already treated to an intense guitar solo. As vocalist Cris Hodges stepped onto the stage, James’s guitar solo slickly flowed into the opening song of the night “Gauntlet.” Hodges could not wait to be performing in Anaheim as he jumped around the stage like an excited puppy and had the facial expressions to match. Hodges energy was contagious as the crowd could not help but jump and rock out with him. Fellow guitarist Devin Thomas White balanced out the craziness of James & Hodges as he performed with a more stoic demeanor as he let his guitar playing speak for him. The bassist and drummer (who’s names I sadly could not locate), rounded off Pistols at Dawn’s sound and provided a solid low end to the screeching guitars. Playing songs like “Fly,” “Voices,” “The Truth,” and closing with “Under the Surface.” Pistols at Dawn brought the perfect blend of high energy and squeedly-dee guitar licks to start the night for the Pawns & King Tour.
Proving that he is more than just his name, Wolfgang Van Halen was ready to show his hometown just how much of a talented musician he is on his own. Mammoth WVH hit the stage with their opening song “Mammoth,” which started with Wolfie ripping out the opening guitar track. Not only does Wolfie handle lead and rhythm guitar duties through each song, but he is also stepping behind a keyboard from time to time. The man is a musical prodigy as he writes all instrumental parts and lyrics for the whole band. Wolfgang also lives by the philosophy that if a part of the song can’t be played live, he won’t add it to a song. Well Wolfie is just one man, writing music that needs to be played by a full band, and he found a stacked line up of musicians to play with him. Backing Wolfie on guitar is Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan, who get their chances to shine in the spot line with their own mastery of the instrument. Bassist Ronnie Ficarro and drummer Garret Whitlock might be further back on the stage, but they are non the less rocking complimenting every note played in the song. One of the most heartfelt moments during Mammoth WVH set is when they play the song “Distance.” Not only is this song beautiful, but it is Wolfie singing about losing his father. Something that many fans can related to, and I know my buddy Brandon McCarthy and myself couldn’t hold back the tears thinking about our dads who will never be forgotten. Rounding out their set with additional songs like “Mr. Ed,” “You’re to Blame,” “Epiphany,” “Another Celebration at the End of the World,” and closing with “Don’t Back Down.” I love seeing Wolfgang continue to grow and evolve Mammoth WVH as he continues to carve out his own legacy in the music industry.
Alter Bridge was always a band I heard Brandon talking so highly about, but at this point in their career they didn’t tour that much. So, it was a very rare occasion when they would come around to play Southern California. However, the band just put out their newest album Pawns & Kings, which meant it was the perfect time to hit the road again. I was ready to see why Brandon never stops bragging about this band. Opening the night with a song off the new album called “Silver Tongue,” the blending of Mark Tremonti’s opening guitar riffs, as vocalist Myles Kennedy let out a haunting cry, built tension in the crowd. Blasting into the verse, the lights shot up and the crowd erupted for Alter Bridge. Myles Kennedy’s knows how to control his voice with expertise, both layering it into the mix, so it blends with instrumental track, or belting and cutting through to make his presence known. Mark Tremonti stands out with his guitar skills. Managing to balance both the heavier metal type riffs in songs like “Addicted to the Pain,” and playing more melodic melodies for songs like “Blackbird.” Bassist Brian Marshall proves he’s a master of the five-string bass, as his fingers walk over strings with elegance. Drummer Scott Phillips knows how to push the melody when needed, and reigns back in to play the pocket and let the band go wild on their instruments. Alter Bridge played a thrilling hour and forty-five-minute set, consisting of 17 songs like “Ghost of Days Gone By,” “This is War,” “Broken Wings,” “Burn it Down,” “Cry of Achilles,” “In Loving Memory,” “Pawns & Kings,” “Isolation,” “Metallingus,” and coming back for a two song encore with “Open Your Eyes” & “Rise Today.” You can see how much the members of Alter Bridge enjoy playing together, and that joy is reciprocated from every fan in the crowd.
Seeing Wolfgang Van Halen and Myles Kennedy in their element with their main bands was a glorious sight to behold. Let alone on the same bill. This was a night of hard rock and heavy guitar riffs all started by Pistols at Dawn and created a through line as Mammoth WVH took the stage and ending with beauty that is Alter Bridge. I will passionately watch as Wolfie elevates himself in the music scene, as he continues to craft in the musical sandbox he has created. And I wait with bated breath for Alter Bridge to come back soon, as they like to take long breaks between tours. The Pawns & Kings Tour could not have been stacked better.
Hundreds of voices talk amongst themselves while the pre-show playlist attempts to drown them out. Within seconds, the chatter turns to cheers that have the ability to easily blow out an eardrum. That’s the effect that Michigander has on his audience.
Jason Singer, aka Michigander, is an indie rock artist who played the second show of his tour at The Echo in Los Angeles on April 1. His tour is 21 shows long and supports the release of his fourth EP, It Will Never Be The Same, which was released on March 31. Singer’s band consists of Aaron Senor on drums, Jake LeMond on guitar, and Connor Robertson on bass. Joining his tour is Abby Holliday and special guest BEL, who joined only for this LA show.
BEL took to the stage first with just her acoustic guitar. She was able to quickly win over the crowd with her charisma, relatable jokes, crowd involvement and detailed, honest music. She started off her set with “Jet Lag,” a song from her 2022 EP, Jet Lag. She also played her most recent single, “Woman on Fire,” which was released on March 31. She ended her set with “Are You Okay,” which came out in Feb, and was able to hype up the crowd by getting them to sing along with her in preparation for Abby Holliday.
After a brief intermission, Abby Holliday hit the stage with a powerful rendition of her song “when we’re far apart i fall apart,” from her 2021 debut album. Her heavily instrumented and electronic-esque music had a very different vibe to BEL’s music. Holliday’s raw and dramatic, yet energetic music set the tone for Michigander’s exciting setlist. She played all the songs from her sophomore EP, IDK WHAT I WANT, and ended her set with her 2021 single, “Better By Now,” which included crowd participation, leaving the audience wanting more.
Finally, Michigander and his band made their anticipated entrance while Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” roared from the speakers (most likely related to Singer’s broken leg, which caused him to postpone the tour and delay the release of his EP). He kicked off his set with “Stay Out of It,” a single from his latest EP. This vibrant and optimistic song set the tone for the remainder of the show.
During “Cannonball,” the band walked off the stage before the last chorus and left Michigander on stage, alone, with his acoustic guitar, singing with and sharing a heartfelt moment with all of the audience members. After he finished the song, Michigander expressed his thanks to the audience.
“This is weird because for so long I’ve been in a van, traveling around the country and playing to nobody. Now, I’m really far from home and there’s people. The weird part about it is that I wrote most of these songs in my bedroom, and now I’m playing them here, hundreds, maybe thousands of miles away from home and having y’all sing and stand for this whole time is pretty cool,” Singer expressed.
During this time, he also announced the next song he was going to perform, which was “Nineties,” the first Michigander song ever released, and a surprise song that was not on the written setlist. The at-capacity venue was beautifully silent as the audience hung onto every word that Michigander sang, only accompanied by a small whisper as the audience sang quietly along, allowing Michigander’s voice to fill the space between the audience and the venue’s high ceilings. Towards the end of the song, the band joined Michigander on stage again to end the passionate song.
Michigander ended his set with “Superglue,” a song that while filming the music video for, caused him to break his leg in three places, ultimately postponing this tour and his latest EP release as he focused on rehabilitation. Ending his hour-long set with a song that must have caused him lots of physical pain (while filming the music video, at least) was an extreme power play and showed the audience how he is recovered, back better than ever, and ready to continue his tour and provide people across the country with a night that they won’t forget, just like he did in Los Angeles.
Overall, the night was a beautiful blend of indie artists that each had a clear tone and message with their music. The Echo’s intimate location mixed with Michigander’s unmatched energy made the night unforgettable and makes this tour one that no one will want to miss.
-Kate Kotlyar