In 2005, the band Chiodos released an album titled All’s Well That Ends Well. Twenty years later, Craig Owens brings the album out of retirement for a tour celebrating the twentieth birthday of the album. You can’t celebrate an album like that without an incredible cast, and this tour lineup did not disappoint. Opening the show was The Callous Daoboys, Emmure, and Hawthorne Heights.
The night was filled with four incredible sets, with every band keeping the energy high throughout the night. I had been a fan of the Daoboys for a while, and this was my first opportunity seeing them play live. Emmure brought the classic metalcore feel, bringing the crowd to another level. Hawthorne Heights was a perfect band before the headliner. This is a band I’ve seen quite a few times in person, and they are always a fun band to see.
Chiodos ended the night, playing through the tracks of the album. Hearing some of these old tracks live was something I thought I’d never see, so it was a very exciting night. Due to the sold out nature of the show, I was limited to only one song in the photo pit for their set. However, I still got to enjoy the show from the balcony once I was finished.
Photos and words by Tom Randall (www.instagram.com/trandallphoto)
With a completely sold out show at Spirit Hall, The Linda Lindas played an unforgettable concert that shows their ability to create powerful and impactful music. This modern riot grrrl punk group formed in 2018 in Los Angeles and gained the attention of punk icon Kathleen Hanna when she witnessed them play a gig. After witnessing the band play the iconic song “Rebel Girl”, Hanna asked the band to open for Bikini Kill in 2019 at the Hollywood Palladium.
The band’s success took off from there where they played songs for the Netflix movie “Moxie”. They also earned praise from well known musicians like Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea and Rage Against The Machines’ Tom Morello. After releasing their song “Racists, Sexist Boy” the band signed with label Epitaph Records.
Over the past couple of years, The Linda’s Lindas have built themselves an impressive resume including opening for Paramore, The Rolling Stones, and Green Day. With the release of their album, “No Obligations”, the band has ventured out on their own North American tour.
To add to their shocking success, each member of the band doesn’t exceed the age of 20 years old. At one point in their set, the band joked with concert goers that they had the opportunity to buy band merch from the musicians’ very own mothers.
The gig opened with Baltimore grunge and punk rock band Pink Shift. With a high energy presence, concert goers wasted no time engaging in the positively demanding sound that the band was creating. Lead singer, Ashrita Kumar, reminded listeners of the importance of music and how it can be a welcoming space for all while also being a form of activism where systemic and political issues can be creatively addressed.
This energy perfectly amped up the crowd for the powerhouse that was to come from the headliners. Leading up to The Linda Linda’s set, I observed the surrounding crowd, and realized that this was truly a special group of people.
Due to the young age of the band itself, this was one of the most diverse audiences I have been a part of at a concert. Around me, I saw kids of all genders decked out in merch, eyeliner, and pink headphones, ready to see gen-Z awesomeness at its best.
When the first notes of “No Obligation” rang out, there was an undeniable joy radiating from the vast array of viewers in the pit. Parents encouraged their middle school kids to wiggle their way closer to the stage while groups of adults head banged along to the youthful punk rock.
The band played through their full album along with covers of songs by Green Day, Talking Heads, Los Prisoneros, and the highly anticipated finale, “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill. Over the past couple years, the Linda Lindas have become a refreshing presence in the punk rock music industry and with time, they will only get better and better.
Photos by: Abigail McNatt Review by: Chris “Oberrated” Ober
There was certainly No Vacancy at the Thunderbird Café & Music Hall on Friday, April 25, 2025. Nightly brought their “Nightly Live on Tour” show to Pittsburgh for their 13th stop on the road, and along with them were rockers MICO and Brooke Alexx. For what was sure to be an electric night of music, the near-sold-out Thunderbird was alive and well for a Friday night filled with energy and good tunes.
Leading the charge was soon-to-be birthday girl, Brooke Alexx. When I tell you an impact was made on this crowd immediately, I mean it. Brooke Alexx has headliner energy, and she maintained that energy and aura for her whole set. From hitting every note vocally and physically to genuinely connecting with the crowd, to her overall cheery and positive disposition… she had the crowd hooked. With every song, she shared an intimate or vulnerable story connecting herself with the music and concert goers alike. Her performance was one I will not soon forget, possibly not just for the night, but for the year. Brooke Alexx has the makings of a popstar, and it cannot be denied.
Second on the bill was Toronto native MICO. There must have been something in the Pittsburgh air because both Brooke and MICO came out of the gate SANGIN! MICO had pipes from the very start. Not only was the Toronto singer pouring his heart into ever note, but he also turned up his stage presence, especially for a solo performance (noting he typically performs with a full band). Solo or not, as I said, MICO had the perfect mix of grace and comedy. A perfect cocktail for a memorable and enjoyable performance that was surely the vibe that the audience was feeling. There was never a doubt in MICO’s set that this guy loves life when he’s performing.
Last but certainly not least, our headliners, Nightly, took the stage under the cover of a neon pink/purple lit fog. After a brief audio introduction, the opening chords and tunes of “tv shows” began to play. Instantaneously, the crowd from wall-to-wall and floor-to-floor began to sing every word back to the band, grooving along to their alternative sounds. It was apparent to me how much the band loved the love they were receiving as it looked as if they were taking it all in for the first three songs as they peered into the crowd with smiles on their faces.
Nightly continued to serenade the crowd with both old and new hits, especially songs from their recently released album songs to drive to. They also had some fun with the crowd, mixing in some blended covers like their mix of “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer with “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter. Later, they played their version of “All Star” by Smash Mouth which elicited laughter and cheers alike from the crowd. This cover came shortly after an intimate acoustic set where Nightly gave options to the crowd of what songs they should play to which the crowd chose “older” and “No Vacancy“, a personal favorite of mine. I must say though, as if Nightly designed it that way (which they probably did, let’s be real), after this acoustic set concluded, Nightly turned up the energy with the final handful of songs and truly had this audience moving and grooving until it was time to be kicked out of the venue.
With a perfect wrap-up to the night, Nightly performed their final song, “Where Do We Go From Here“, which felt like the perfect question for the audience to ask themselves. How do you top a night like this? Nightly was welcomed with open arms here in Pittsburgh for a night that they seemed to love deeply and genuinely. As the band left the stage, they were gifted with a bouquet of roses from an adoring fan. They gave their bows, and before everyone knew it, this night was gleefully and sadly over.
Bravo to the three-headed monster that is Brooke Alexx, MICO, and Nightly. I was genuinely excited to watch and review this show, but I had no idea what I was in store for, especially from Brooke Alexx and MICO, two artists I hadn’t heard of before. Give your ears a gift and listen to Big(ger) Mouth, Internet hometown hero, and songs to drive to.
Florida based Indie rock band, Flipturn, was greeted with a joyous welcome by loving fans at Stage AE on April 10, 2025 for the Burnout Days tour. Making their return 2 years after playing at Thunderbird on Super Bowl Sunday, the band expanded upon their ethereal and dreamscape vibe to create an energetic performance that proves the talent and versatility this band brings to the music scene.
Rock band, The Stews, opened the show with a hard hitting and high energy presence that left fans inevitably amped due to their passionate stage presence. Following that strong opening, Flipturn started their set with the opening track of Burnout Days “Juno”. This track utilizes a synth player and guitar riff combination that feels like their quintessential beloved sound. It was then followed by fellow Burnout Days tracks “Inner Wave” and “Burnout Days”. The band utilized playful lighting to amplify their electrifying stage presence, making it nearly impossible for concert goers to not be invested in the show. They also played a good combination of songs from their growing discography, allowing fans to sing well known tracks like “August” and “Sad Disco” alongside lead singer Dillon Basse, while experiencing newer songs from their newest album.
Having witnessed them at Thunderbird 2 years ago, and now at Stage AE, it feels unreal to be able to watch their sound grow in ways that honor their unique musicality, while also expanding upon it in ways that feel newer yet true to themselves. I look forward to watching them continue to make a name for themselves in the indie rock music industry and beyond.
December is always a wonderful month for concerts. Often, shows are one offs and have a combination of artists that you won’t otherwise see touring together. This year in the Bay Area, Andy Grammer delivered an electrifying performance at Alice 97.3’s “Alice in Winterland” concert, held at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, California. Taking the stage at 8:45 PM, Grammer captivated the audience with a dynamic setlist that showcased his signature blend of pop and soul. He opened with the uplifting anthem “Keep Your Head Up,” and continued with fan favorites like “Fresh Eyes” and “Honey, I’m Good”, each song highlighting his engaging stage presence and vocal prowess. He concluded his set with the catchy “Fine by Me,” leaving the audience in high spirits. Grammer’s interaction with the audience was warm and heartfelt, with his performance a testament to his artistry and ability to connect with fans, making the night a memorable highlight of the holiday season. The event also featured performances by OneRepublic and Haven Madison, contributing to a festive and memorable night of music.
To see more photos, check out the Flickr gallery below!
California-based funky pop artist Remi Wolf played at Stage AE on September 26, 2024. Making a stop in Pittsburgh, the BIG IDEAS tour promotes her newest album. Remi played many songs off BIG IDEAS, bringing in lots of energy. The sold-out venue had fans from the front to the back doors moving all night long connecting to every lyric while echoing them back onto the glowing stage. Remi Wolf had amazing light design with spot lights lining the back of the set, programed with movements to follow the flows of the performance. This night had a warm and welcoming aura to it and we highly reccomend seeing Remi Wolf on the second leg of this tour!
Photos and Words by Madalyn Schaller. If reposting please credit @madalyns.photos and @livefromthepitt412
This past Sunday, October 13th, COIN performed in Pittsburgh at the Roxian Theatre as part of their “I’m Not Afraid of Tour Anymore” tour.
Aidan Bissett opened the show to excited fans in the crowd singing his songs back to him, and even received a bouquet of handmade crochet flowers from one person. “I love a handmade gift because it shows how much time and effort you put in,” he spoke into the microphone to the fan.
I can totally see why he opened on this tour. I thought that his music matched the lighthearted indie pop and sweet,dreamy vocals vibe of COIN’s earlier records. Aidan’s stage presence was incredibly charming, too. He was totally giving rockstar boyfriend/boy-next-door energy, especially with that cheetah print cardigan. His energetic performance felt like the perfect warm-up for the crowd before the headliner. About 45 minutes later around 9:15, COIN took the stage.
This was actually my second time seeing them, with my first being last year at Wonderworks Music Festival at Hartwood Acres outside Pittsburgh. I volunteered to sell merch in exchange for access to the festival before my shift during the headliners in order to see them play. Seeing COIN again confirmed the same feeling I had as when I saw them perform last time: They’re just one of those bands that sound even better live.
For example, I don’t usually listen to the song “Let It All Out” because it just wasn’t one of my favorites, but after seeing them perform it live I left like I finally heard and understood the song in a way I hadn’t before. Being able to see them on their own tour was definitely a totally different experience than last time. I loved the stage design they had going on, although I still never really figured out why they had a tarp across the stage. The band was surrounded by lights that matched up with the music, so the lights would be changing at the same time as the drum beats which allowed for a really captivating experience. I felt like all my senses were engaged at some points, including scent if you count the smell of sweat. (It was very hot in there.)
COIN did participate in a trend I’ve noticed in recent years of artists performing different surprise songs for every show on their tour, and I’m not really sure how I feel about the concept as a whole. On the one hand, it’s a great way to have a chance to hear deep cut favorites, but on the other hand, it almost never works out in my favor in terms of what song I want to hear. Except this time it totally did because the song I wanted them to play was “Heart Eyes”, and guess what they played? HEART EYES! I looked up the setlist from their previous show in Columbus and saw that they played the song, so I wasn’t expecting them to play it two shows in a row. I was in the middle of working my way around the crowd to get photos from a new angle when the lead singer, Chase Lawrence, announced it as the next song they were playing. Stopped dead in my tracks by the announcement, I put my camera down to reminisce and enjoy watching them perform a song I’ve liked since high school.
Although the show wasn’t sold out, the crowd was just as loud as sold out shows I’ve attended at this venue in the past. Everyone was loudly singing along to the upbeat songs, but managed to stay almost silent during the slower moments in the set. This felt like a true testament to COIN’s ability to engage and connect with their fanbase in a genuinely personal way. Their energy and the way they move with the music like they can feel it pulsing through their veins were infectious. I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to end their show than with Chase stating simply, “We are COIN, and so are you.”
On September 30th, 2024, Sammy Rae & the Friends took Pittsburgh by storm as they kicked off their highly anticipated tour of their new album, “Something for Everybody”. The energy in the venue was high, especially as the band easily doubled their crowd size compared to their previous performance at Mr. Smalls almost exactly one year ago. Though it was the first show of the tour, and a touch of nerves was expected, fans were more than willing to forgive any silly mistakes that occurred. Sammy expressed her lifelong love of Pittsburgh due to having family in the area and said she felt comfortable messing up in front of this crowd, because she knew we would be kind to them. From the moment they stepped onto the stage, the band created an atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation that resonated throughout the night.
The concert opened on a high note with the powerful track “Thieves,” highlighted by dramatic spotlights that set the tone for an unforgettable evening. The small but mighty lighting package effectively elevated the overall experience, adding production value on track with the growing band. The band expertly weaved in a mix of new material while simultaneously paying homage to the music that paved the way for their success. Three back-to-back classics brought the crowd to a high, showcasing the depth and versatility of their repertoire, which fans justifiably went wild for.
One of the standout moments of the night came during a beautiful rendition of “David,” where Sammy shared the touching backstory behind the song, leaving the audience in awe of the connection she fostered with her music. Though they covered “Hold the Line,” which had its moments, I wish that the band had opted for “Denim Jacket” or “Whatever We Feel” instead, as I left the show wishing they had played more of their classics. As the concert came to a close with the emotional “Coming Home Song,” tears were shed, and joy filled the air. It was a night to remember, illustrating why Sammy Rae & the Friends continue to capture hearts wherever they perform. It has been so fun following them from smaller rooms to much larger ones, and I’m excited to see where they play next time they’re in town!
Photos: Abigail McNatt Review: Chris “Oberrated” Ober
Do you like theatrical music featuring the highest of music notes being hit by incredible voices? Do you like 6, 8, and 9 minute long power epics? How about insane light productions that create some of the most memorable sights to be seen on a concert stage? Well, Pittsburgh was in for a treat on Thursday, October 3, as Marianas Trench took their “The Force of Nature” tour to The Roxian Theatre. Tagging along for the ride was pop-centric artist PIAO, and the icon herself, Cassadee Pope. The three together would be on course for putting a show together that would enthrall the audience where they stood.
First to the stage was PIAO (pronounced like “piano”, just remove the “n”!) PIAO hit the stage with energy! Her first few songs felt like a blend of your usual pop anthems but also add in the sounds and flair of the best K-pop/J-pop bands you know. After some impressive vocals, infectious chorus lines, and some crisp dance breakdowns within the first batch of songs, PIAO showed her versatility as she slowed down the pace with “Anticipatory Grief,” and my personal favorite of the night, “Haunted by Potential“, where she fully dropped the track and featured an intimate performance behind a piano and sang about not being able to capitalize on known potential. A story that seemed to resonate well with the crowd. After PIAO proved she was far more than just a pop star, she was ready to bring the energy back up and finish her set strong with more fast-paced songs, including a cover of the fan-favorite Paramore track, ‘Still Into You,’ where she channeled Hayley Williams’ energy effortlessly. In the blink of an eye, PIAO had finished warming up the crowd, and a national superstar was ready to grace the theater with her presence.
“The Voice” season 3 winner, former lead singer of Hey Monday, and former country music star—these are just a few of the many accolades associated with Cassadee Pope. But on this night, she was the pop punk princess, just months removed from the release of her album, Hereditary. The crowd buzzed with anticipation before she took the stage, and from where I stood, the energy was electric once she arrived. Between those jumping non-stop throughout her set, others scream-singing every word, and everyone completely captivated by Cassadee’s talent, it was clear she owned the room. I mean, seriously, I don’t think she missed a single note. Her performance was truly something special, and this was especially footnoted when Cassadee snuck in a performance of “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked”, to which she was met with possibly the loudest singalong of her whole set. To which she noted, “Marianas Trench is pretty theatrical, so I felt this would go over well. What do you all think?” Where the crowd then responded with raucous approval. This kind of energy persisted through the rest of Pope’s set, and it was quite one to experience. At this point, the Roxian Theatre was so ready to welcome Marianas Trench to the stage.
It has been a long five years since Marianas Trench graced Pittsburgh, and from the sounds of the crowd, they were well aware of the time passed since seeing their favorite Canadian band. In no time at all, the familiar opening track, “A Normal Life” from their newest album Haven, which was just released on August 30, began to ring through the crowd. If there’s one thing that sets MT apart from your typical rock band, it’s their incredible theatrical style. From the production to the unique instruments used in their tracks, and especially lead singer Josh Ramsey’s wondrous voice, capable of hitting both the highest and longest notes, they stand out. A Marianas Trench show is truly a spectacle, and I firmly believe it’s impossible for them to deliver anything less.
Marianas Trench brought the lightning and thunder in more ways than one. While the second song of the night is titled exactly that, the energy and noise was reminiscent of a rolling storm. Aside from featuring plenty of their newest songs off their hot new album Haven, they had to include numerous tracks from their impressive discography which spans all the way back to 1999. But not just any tracks, we are talking the best of the best like, “Desperate Measures”, “All to Myself”, “Haven’t Had Enough”, as well as a blend of “Cross My Heart” with “Celebrity Status”. Now the excitement does not come solely from the “best of” list out of Marianas Trench’s library, but it also comes from the showmanship of Josh Ramsey. Josh is known for his high notes and energy, but what stands out every single time and also when comparing to many other bands is how much Josh loves to interact with the crowd. From sending out quick-witted quips to the many things yelled out from the crowd to him quite literally marching his way through the audience while singing “Haven’t Had Enough”. Josh uses not only the whole stage but the whole venue, and all in attendance love him all the more for it.
On a typical concert night, by the end of a band’s set, they would head backstage and then the audience would summon them right on back for a final encore of a song or two. However, note that I said “typical”. Marianas Trench is anything but that. The final song of the night came, and it was no ordinary song, it was none other than the self-titled track that the album was named after, “Haven”. is a nearly 9-minute epic, featuring diverse verses that showcase each band member’s talents, and culminating in a final, roaring crescendo of voices. Of course, Josh’s voice takes center stage, as he delivers the final “life” of the song in a way only he can. As the band takes their bows, the elation in the room could be felt by the way the hair stuck up on my arms. The crowd being left in a screaming state, cheering on Josh and Marianas Trench. While the other half of the audience not screaming were simply left stunned at the final epic. Do me a favor, MT, don’t make Pittsburgh and myself wait another 5 years to experience this again, sound good?
Hailing from Rochester, NY, Joywave is possibly the most chaotic band that I closely follow. Example: in 2016, they release an “album” which was the same song (Destruction) 10x, each with a different intro. I originally started following Joywave after seeing them open for Bastille in 2018. To this day, they’re possibly the favorite of all the openers that I’ve seen.
Promoting their fifth studio album, this tour includes a giant animatronic cat (see photos) that I absolutely didn’t notice until it started moving and Daniel started petting it. The show itself was the high energy and chaos that I’ve come to expect from this band. Lastly, to close out the night, Joywave ended with the aforementioned Destruction. Twice.
