2015 Concerts | Pop Punk Please

Cold War Kids Concert Review and Photos

March 8, 2015

Cold War Kids stopped on March 7 in Austin, TX to play Stubb’s on the last night of their U.S. tour. More photos from the show can be seen here.

Austin locals The Vanity opened the show with a rocking punch. Vocalist Alex Dugan was a crowd entertainer, passionately yelling and jumping around. Between their alternative rock sound and their entertaining performance, it was clear that these guys have the potential to go far.

Next up was Elliot Moss, getting the crowd warmed up with his unique alternative electronic music. Most akin to Odesza and Disclosure, Moss takes a more relaxed and rock-based approach to electronic music, using guitar and baritone saxophone to shape his sound.

Finally Cold War Kids took the stage with “All This Could Be Yours,” the opening track from their latest album Hold My Home. Immediately, they got the crowd hyped with fan favorite “Miracle Mile.” Every member gave it their all. Frontman Nathan Willett sang soulfully while skillfully switching between tambourine, guitar and piano. Bassist Matt Maust swung every which way across stage, never standing still in one place. Meanwhile Dann Gallucci jammed on guitar and sang along every word, even when he was not contributing to back-up vocals.

Willett said how excited they all were to be in Austin for the last night of tour. Austin is one of their favorite cities and it felt right for the band and everyone in the crowd.

The hour and 20 minute set was accompanied by a psychedelic lights show, adding to the rock vibes. Performing a mix of new song from Hold My Home and old favorites, the crowd danced and sang along every second.

Read article

Like 2529

Taking Back Sunday Tour Review and Photos

Concert Reviews, Photos, Pop Punk Artists, Uncategorized

February 24, 2015

Taking Back Sunday stopped in Austin, TX at Emo’s on Feb. 20 for a night of high-energy rocking. The Menzingers and letlive. opened the show. Click the photos below to see more of each band or go here.

The Menzingers have been around since 2006, but are making the rounds in the pop punk scene since the release of their last album Rented World in 2014. They brought the energy to the sold out show, jumping all over stage and getting the crowd pumped up for the night.

letlive. has been on my bucket list to see for awhile now. I’ve heard stories about their reckless, insane, energetic show, but I was not prepared for the reality of it. Before the first song was over, Jason Butler, vocalist, jumped off stage and made his way through the crowd. Unexpected fans searched for him eagerly, and those lucky enough to be near him screamed along to the song, while others took selfies or watched on with smiles from ear to ear. The rest of the set continued with manic actions from Butler, breaking a lamp on stage and climbing speakers all while fervently singing and screaming lyrics. The rest of the band, feeding off each others’ energy, supported him with solid instrumentals. The set was truly a spectacle that is bound to be unique every night.

Finally it was the time of night fans had been waiting hours for. Taking Back Sunday took the stage and wasted no time to get straight to rocking, which they did a lot of that night. It was clear many of these fans have been waiting a long time to see Taking Back Sunday, who for many, could be called their favorite band. There was not a soul in the crowd who wasn’t singing every word. It is always a pleasure to see a veteran band deliver a performance with precision and passion from years of touring.

Read article

2 2631

Lights Lit Up the Night with Her Performance – Concert Review and Photos

Concert Reviews, Indie Artists, New Music, Photos, Pop Artists

February 22, 2015

Lights stopped in Austin on Feb. 21 at Emo’s as part of her Little Machines Tour across the U.S. It has been years since the last time she has played in Austin, and the fans made it count. All photos from the show can be found here.

Although the show was not sold out, fans of all ages still packed the house for an evening of singing and dancing. X Ambassadors, opening the show, showed off their rocking talent. They brought their all and left nothing behind, passionately delivering each song with vigor.

Lights took the stage at 9:00 p.m. to a roaring crowd, starting it off slow with an intro to “Muscle Memory,” quickly picking up the pace for this retro-dance anthem.

Lights delivered an hour and fifteen minute set filled with songs from Little Machines as well as old favorites from Siberia. Her loyal fans soaked up every second of it, giving back the energy she put into her performance. Trading keyboard for guitar throughout the night, she never missed a beat.

Song after song, Lights upheld her electric energy that radiated throughout the room. Her genuine happiness to be playing to the crowd in Austin was matched by adoring fans signing every word back to her like nothing else in the world mattered. And Lights even took the time between songs to address that state of mind – she realized the importance of living in the moment and appreciating what you have here and now. The message is translated in “Running With the Boys,” which emulates the innocence of the carefree mind of a child.

Lights killed the set, going above and beyond vocally. Her albums display her songwriting and lyrical skills while her smooth voice to bring it to life. Where many singers fall short live, Lights pierces the show with powerful projecting vocals that shine through the smokey room. It is an impressive and extraordinary feat to have an artist so well-rounded in every aspect of performance from musicianship and vocal clarity to endurance to crowd captivation and entertainment.

Halfway through the set she slowed it down for a solo love ballad on her piano, and fans came together in appreciation and admiration. The rest of the night was a high-energy dance party until it was over all too soon. Giving a full-force finale of “Up We Go” and “Oil and Water,” Lights said goodbye with nothing but smiles and love for the Austin crowd, and the promise to come back soon.

Read article

Like 2069

Motion City Soundtrack

Photos, Pop Punk Artists, Uncategorized

February 12, 2015

Motion City Soundtrack stopped in Austin at Emo’s on Feb. 7 for the Commit This To Memory 10 Year Anniversary Tour with TEAM* and Driver Friendly. See all photos here.