October 31, 2024
By: Jenafur Schlangen
Attending Kat Von D’s live performance at new music venue, The Offset, in Chicago was an unexpected delight that I didn’t know I needed. As someone who had only seen her through the lens of her makeup artistry and television persona, I walked in with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Would she be just another celebrity trying to dabble in music, or could she genuinely captivate an audience?
From the moment she stepped on stage, any doubts melted away. The energy in the venue was electric, and Kat commanded it effortlessly. Her presence was magnetic, and it was clear she wasn’t just performing; she was sharing a piece of her soul with the audience. The first few chords of her opening song sent a wave of excitement through the crowd, and I found myself swept up in the moment.
Her voice—rich and emotive—was a pleasant surprise. It carried an authenticity that felt refreshingly raw, far removed from the polished studio versions I had heard before. Each note resonated with depth, and her lyrical storytelling drew me in, painting vivid images that lingered long after the last song faded. The setlist was a perfect blend of haunting melodies and powerful anthems, showcasing her versatility as an artist. See/hear for yourself with the video/photo gallery below!
What struck me most was her genuine connection with the audience. Between songs, she shared anecdotes and insights that revealed her passion for music and the stories behind her craft. It felt personal, as if she was inviting us into her world. The crowd, in turn, was supportive and enthusiastic, creating a palpable sense of community that made the experience even more special.
As the night unfolded, I found myself completely immersed. The visuals were stunning, enhancing each performance with captivating artistry that echoed her background in tattooing and design. It was more than just a concert; it was a full sensory experience.
Walking out of the venue, I couldn’t help but smile, feeling uplifted and inspired. Sometimes, the best surprises come from the most unexpected places, and this performance was a beautiful reminder of that truth.
]]>The Concord Music Hall, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and top-notch sound system, provides an ideal setting for the duo’s dynamic performance. Concertgoers can anticipate an immersive experience with impressive visuals and lighting complementing the high-energy music. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to their sound, this event promises to be an unforgettable night of dancing and musical euphoria.
We’ll be there. Stay tuned!
New York NY
by Shrithik Karthik
American singer and songwriter d4vd is set to light up NYC with a unique show in partnership with Gov Ball After Dark at Irving Plaza on June 11th. This special event marks his second performance in the city on tour, following his electrifying live show at Gov Ball on June 8th.
After being a fan of him for a few years, this is a pleasant surprise. He announced his tour a few months ago in March, and after seeing only one date for a NYC show compared to his last tour, which had more than one, I wondered if he would add another show. It turned out to be confirmed with this partnership with Gov Ball that we will have one more show right after the festival!
D4vd exploded in popularity in the past 2 years after the release of Romantic Homicide, which, fun fact, he made in his bedroom closet! Since then, he has released several other songs, which have done well on Spotify, Apple Music, and more. Here With Me is another one of his songs, and it has over a billion streams on Spotify, which is an incredible achievement. With this show in NYC, I highly encourage everyone to show out and go see him if they can get tickets! His shows are always so fantastic because of just how much energy he has and his stage presence. Another thing that I really love about his shows is his set design. It is always so lovely to see artists go all out with their set design, and with all the light bars, the sound effects, and more, his is a must-see.
As a long-time fan, I can’t contain my excitement for D4VD’s return to my city. Check out his tour dates to see if he’s coming to a city near you, and join me in experiencing his electrifying performances!
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]]>Together, these three acts delivered an electrifying performance that spanned decades of music, leaving fans exhilarated and craving more. It was a celebration of the past, present, and future of industrial rock, reminding us why this genre continues to captivate audiences nationwide. Speaking of which, the tour continues and the link to upcoming dates can be found here: TOUR DATES
For more information on I Ya Toyah, as well as the official websites of Cold and Orgy, please see the links at the bottom of this page.
Official Links:
Orgy
Cold
I Ya Toyah
Louisville Palace
Louisville, KY
March 28, 2024
By Shrithik Karthik
ONEUS came to Louisville on March 28, 2024, to perform at the Louisville Palace and they put on an unforgettable show. The choreography, the music, the energy, and the excitement from the crowd were electric. Playing a mix of their music that was slow-paced and then fast combined with the intense visuals and lasers created such a vibrant energy through the venue.
The show started sharp at 7:30 which I thought was such a nice touch, there were no openers, but starting on time is quite rare nowadays. Instantly they danced, they sang, and they went crazy. All the artists were wearing headsets and with all the dancing they did that was the right decision. They were insanely active on that stage, but when they took breaks, they knew to make it as interactive as possible. After a few minutes of incredible dancing, they stopped to interact with the audience and talk to us directly. This was cool to experience from the crowd and during these breaks the group would talk to us in Korean and the translator would speak back to the crowd in English to understand them which was very nice. They would talk about how hard they worked with the choreography, their time on tour, some inside jokes about the group, and more. The audience loved hearing them speak so intimately and it was a nice touch as well.
The crowd was by far one of the funniest parts of the show, they were so reactive to the group. Since it was a primarily female audience, whenever one of the members of the group did a seductive dance move the audience would scream, and at the end of the songs they would even bark which I thought was very funny. They ate everything up no matter what the group did. Having a very devoted audience is important because it makes the artists perform so much better. After all, they feel like there is a real purpose behind it. I’ve gone to shows where the audience was so bored and the artists wouldn’t give it their all. This however was nothing like that, ONEUS gave it their all the entire time from start to finish which was so fun to see
This being my first K-Pop show I didn’t know what to expect, but wow was it fun. It was so cool to see such a lively and devoted fanbase go crazy at everything the group did and they put on a fantastic show. Can’t wait to go to more shows just like this one. They have a few more shows on tour so make sure to check them out if they’re coming to a city near you.
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This year the lineup of artists contains some of the biggest names in the music industry with Post Malone, Rauw Alejandro, The Killers, 21 Savage, SZA, and Peso Pluma. Post Malone was one of the headliners in 2021 and he returns this year with three more albums added to his catalog and he will definitely put on an incredible show. SZA has been on an incredible run recently going on a huge extended world tour this year and last year, and her songs have garnered well over a billion plays in 2023 alone. Peso Pluma has gained heavy traction only recently in 2023 with the release of his song Ella Baila Sola which has gone viral on practically every major platform. 21 Savage also returns to Gov Ball this year as the headliner after performing in 2021. With his new release of his album “american dream” he will put on a performance you will not want to miss out. These artists cover a huge range of music including Latin R&B, Rap, Rock, and more.
Incredible food options exist all around the festival this year with over 50 food options in 2023 and even more expected this year. Located in the heart of New York City, Governors Ball will be three days of fantastic energy and fun. With a beautiful park and so much to explore there will be lots of room to move around. Getting to the festival is very simple and convenient with options such as trains, buses, and the airport is close by as well. This year comes with the addition of one-day, two-day and three-day tickets which allow people to choose which days they want to attend and get the most bang for their back. Be sure to bring your best friends, your best energy, sing your heart out, and get ready to have the time of your life this year at Governors Ball 2024. Grab your tickets right now on the official website governorsballmusicfestival.com/
Be on the lookout for any news on the social media pages.
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The colossal lineup features over 65 artists across five stages, including System of a Down, Slipknot, Bring Me The Horizon, A Perfect Circle, Alice In Chains, Danny Elfman, Bad Omens, Sleep Token, Knocked Loose, and many more.
The festival begins at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 27th and will end at Midnight. That’s thirteen full hours of live music amazingness at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds!
BE THERE!
Sick New World Official Website —-> CLICK HERE!
By: Jenafur Schlangen
In a world where electronic music reigns supreme, Slander emerged at Byline Bank (“Aragon”) Ballroom as maestros of the bass, orchestrating a sonic spectacle that transcended the boundaries of traditional EDM. The duo, consisting of Derek Andersen and Scott Land, delivered a performance on November 25th that was nothing short of a pulsating journey through the realms of euphoria and energy.
From the moment Slander took the stage, a wave of anticipation swept through the crowd. As the first bassline dropped, it was clear that this was not going to be an ordinary EDM experience. Slander’s command of the electronic landscape, combined with their penchant for genre-blurring experimentation, created an atmosphere that was both exhilarating and unpredictable.
The stage production was nothing short of mesmerizing, with a synchronized light show and visuals that heightened the sensory experience. The duo’s dynamic stage presence, coupled with the visual spectacle, created a synergy that elevated the performance to a multi-sensory extravaganza. It was not just a concert; it was a full-blown audio-visual journey.
What set this group apart is Slander’s ability to cater to a diverse audience. The duo seamlessly blended mainstream hits with underground gems, creating an inclusive atmosphere that resonated with both seasoned electronic music enthusiasts and casual concertgoers. This versatility showcased Slander’s understanding of their audience and their commitment to delivering an unforgettable experience for all.
In conclusion, Slander’s latest live performance in Chicago was a sonic odyssey—a journey through the vast and dynamic landscape of electronic music. Derek Andersen and Scott Land’s mastery of production, coupled with an unwavering connection to their audience, solidified Slander as architects of sonic euphoria.
Official Website: Slander
]]>Charleston (WV) Coliseum
November 4th.
by Michelle Waters
Tool, an iconic band who has filled stadiums for decades, with their intelligent and entrancing mixes of prog rock
and metal, played to a sold out show at the Charleston. (WV) Coliseum Saturday, November 4th.
It’s not often that I encourage folks to get a seat further back from the stage. But with the mesmerizing light and multimedia show that takes place throughout the whole set, it’s really helpful to take it all in. Plus, frontman Maynard ends up staying on a platform far away from front stage (except for a brief acoustic performance toward the end of the show), so there’s little chance for interaction with him, if that’s your goal.
With Maynard (James Keenan) being known for being a bit…difficult, I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder, heading into concert. But truthfully, his silly banter with the crowd, and the love the rest of the band had for each other won me over. Tool has
spent a long time building their fanbase, and their fanbase returns those efforts with unstoppable loyalty. The otherworldly video and light show, the meditative trance of the music, it swept the whole crowd into a trance that no one wanted to end.
Tool songs are often long, and sometimes spiral into brand new jams. So when Isay they played a full 12 song set (8 songs a 12 minute intermission, and a 4 song “finale”), it felt full. Fans from each decade of fandom heard something to their liking, with songs ranging from debut album Undertow’s opening track, “Intolerance”, to songs from their most recent studio album, Fear Innoculum:
Pneuma, title track Fear Innoculum, and Invincible, and the confetti-inducing Chocolate Chip Trip (by the way, if you see the confetti drop, make sure to grab some of it up. The confetti is a puzzle, and they have different designs).
Other highlights during the set included comedian Rory Scovel joining the band for a performance of Intolerance, Danny Carey drumming our faces off, tight performances all-around, and an acoustic breakdown during the latter part of the set. The full set list follows:
Fear Innoculum
Jambi
The Pot
Rosetta Stoned
Pneuma
Descending
Intolerance
The Grudge
Chocolate Chip Trip
Culling Voices
Invincible
Stinkfist
Opening act was one man band, Steel Beans, from Washington.
Community College
Kirtland Ohio
Michelle Waters
As summer rolled through the campus of Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio the average festival goer might at first be confused by the music they heard coming from the multi-stage setup at Wonderstruck Festival.
Through a conscious decision, the once more pop and rock-focused fest has begun to morph into a wider variety of performances, including hip-hop and country music. In an effort to reach a wider audience, this is truly set to become the event for people who say they “Love all kinds of music”. After the sheets or rain let up halfway through day 1 of Wonderstruck, music lovers began to peel off their ponchos and trade in those protective layers for sunscreen. Yes, one of the coolest little discoveries I found at Wonderstruck this year was a crew walking around and spraying people with an airbrush gun loaded with sunscreen.
Paris Jackson
No matter your musical interests, you were sure to find something new to enjoy. Local artists were featured-mainly on the smaller Radd Stage, off to the side of festival grounds. Artists like Maybe, Mac Saturn, local favorites Wavrunner and The Vindys, Michael (Jackson)’s daughter, Paris, and true performers like Siena Liggins and Leah Kate all lit up the smallest stage of the three.
Echosmith
Looking for something eclectic? Indie artists, rock artists and hip-hop artists all rotated performances on the middle, White Claw stage. Here’s you could find artists such as Tall Tall Trees, Echosmith, The Struts, and Flo Rida on Saturday of the two-day festival. On day 2, this stage’s performance schedule included The Beaches, Tai Verdes and Nelly.
Walker Hayes
The largest stage, while at first listening seemed to feature mainly country artists, also included crowd favorites Coin, Khalid and Hembree. Folks who stuck around to the end of country star Walker Hayes’ performance on Saturday (night 1) got to see a rare live duo performance of he and Flo Rida performing their famous song, High Heels. How often do you get to attend an event where country and hip hop are so equally represented that this was possible?
Also under question was the possibility of The Struts joining forces with Paris Jackson for a duo of Low Key in Love, but that didn’t pan out. It could have been because the set schedule got a bit jumbled. But you can often only do so much with live performances. I didn’t hear anyone complaining, and really only heard how cool it was to check out such a diverse rotation of music in one place.
Check out a galley of bands Michelle photographed during the weekend.
I’ll definitely be checking out this festival again, next year. The “Wonder Series” also includes several other stops with Wonderbus (Columbus), Wonderroad (Indianapolis) and Wonderworks (Pittsburgh), and all events feature a completely different lineup.
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