Live from the Pitt

This week, Pittsburgh welcomed Sammy Rae & The Friends and Kaina to Mr. Smalls Theatre for a sold-out stop on their CAMP tour. This tour has been a special one for SR&TF, as they aren’t touring over a new album or anything specific, so they chose to go all-out on a tour theme instead! The excitement from the fans for this show was reflected in ticket sales when it sold out weeks in advance. I was thankful to be considered for a photo pass and the opportunity to share this review, as this was my second time seeing SR&TF (first time was this past June at Bonnaroo!) and I thought I knew what I was walking in to. What I didn’t know was I would be experiencing one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. More to come there…  

Opening for Sammy Rae was Kaina, a pop artist from Chicago, Illinois. To be honest, I was hesitant when she came out and was relatively low-energy, knowing the typical crowd for a Sammy Rae & The Friends show. My initial thought was that the crowd may not like her music after being so pumped up for the headliner. Thankfully, I was wrong! Kaina’s set took the audience on a journey through a diverse range of emotions and musical styles, and was the perfect soft warm up for the crazy that was to follow. 

The night began with the hauntingly beautiful “Sweetness,” a slow, cool jam featuring a mesmerizing tenor solo that left the crowd in awe. The chorus was pretty easy to learn with the lyrics “I could give a little sweetness” repeating, but just when you thought you had the song figured out, the key changed – one of my favorite ways to keep a crowd’s attention! Kaina’s lyrics were raw and relatable, and inbetween songs she discussed her feelings with the crowd, saying “I have a lot of feelings to share” and “I cried last night,” resonating deeply with the audience as they nodded in agreement. She took a moment to teach the crowd the lyrics to her instantly catchy song “Good Feeling” and we all had a great time singing along. 

The band, consisting of bass, keys, and drums, along with juuuust the right amount of backing tracks, allowed Kaina’s gorgeous lower deep voice to shine through. “Casita” added a Latin flair to the evening with its Spanish lyrics, and Kaina humorously mentioned wanting to sound like the Cheetah Girls. The infectious energy of “Apple,” the most upbeat song of the night, had everyone on their feet. Throughout the performance, the band’s impeccable musicianship left a lasting impression, truly knocking everyone’s socks off. 

Kaina was on a short run with Sammy Rae & The Friends that only consisted of a handful of shows, but I’m excited to follow along and see where she ends up next! 

Following Kaina’s set was a short changeover to put us all in a camping mood, complete with stagehands dressed as campers to add a charming little touch to the stage. Small details like Pittsburgh being included on the directional sign and microphone stands wrapped in friendship bracelets filled the stage, and the crowd’s enthusiastic “WATER WATER WATER” chant while one of the stagehands passed out water bottles for the performers created an electric atmosphere that had everyone fully engaged and giving their all before the show even began. 

After much anticipation, the band (minus Sammy Rae) entered the stage holding small bright lanterns and huge bright smiles on their faces. The lead singer followed shortly behind, playfully covering up her new Pittsburgh Pirates hat so that she could show us in a big reveal. If you know Pittsburgh, you know the crowd went wild for that.  

The next two hours were a blur. The friends danced, jumped, and cheered through classics like “Talk It Up” and “Denim Jacket” (where Sammy borrowed a fan’s jacket for her performance), and we got to learn a part to “Coming Home Song” and sing along. As the band introduced “Jackie Onassis”, two fans in the front shared their poster that said “MARRIED MY JACKIE ONASSIS YESTERDAY”, which of course brought the room to tears! The crowd was exceptionally kind and friendly, reflecting the essence of Sammy’s “I wanna be friends with you” ethos. When the crowd playfully booed one of the saxophone players for being from Miami (initially at Sammy’s direction, might I add), Sammy quickly stepped in with a reminder to spread friendship, demonstrating that “The Friends” in the band’s name was no gimmick, but a real life experience that they want us all to take home with us. 

I especially enjoyed hearing a new acoustic version of “The Feeling” that was arranged specifically for this tour, featuring C-bass on cajon and the rest of the Friends on various alternate instruments. They played all of the crowd favorites, and the sight of Sammy crowd surfing was the icing on the cake, making it a night to remember. We even took a moment to stop and breathe together, with a seamless transition from soft quiet breaths to “Closer To You” that took our newfound breath right away from us all over again. 

To say I’m blown away by this performance is an extreme understatement. From the downbeat to the moment they left the stage, they didn’t have to ask for the crowd’s attention once – they already had us there and begging for more. 

To view more photos from the show, click on the album below.

Sunday October 1st, Lil Yachty stopped the bus on his Field Trip Tour in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Not only was he accompanied by his newly pieced band of all super talented females, he also showed up with openers, Nick Hakim and Concrete Family to set the stage for what seemed to be a sold out concert at the Roxain Theatre. When I arrived to find a parking spot, I noticed the line to get in was two blocks long, it then wrapped around to the back-alley way with fans looking to cap off their weekend with a great show. That’s exactly what they got from start to finish.

First things first, the energy was off the charts before the first opener even came out. The crowd was constantly chanting “Yachty!, Yachty!” while head banging and even crowd surfing to music from the opening playlist leading up to the first set. Concrete family was a collective group of newer rappers who each took turns performing some of their songs, coming out on stage one at a time. Although, they all stayed out onstage to support one another and interact with the crowd, making sure to keep them engaged. The collective group of rappers consisting of Camp, Draft Day, Moe and Karrahbooo, provided a high energy performance filled with raw and authentic lyrics. Respectfully, the crowd seemed to enjoy their set and showed love to the group.

Nick Hakim followed Concrete Family and brought a completely different flavor to the stage. He provided a unique blend of R&B and indie rock, with a smooth voice and heartfelt lyrics. He had a much more intimate production for his set, with very low lights. Nick was accompanied by a guitarist and a bassist on stage, with the bassist providing backup vocals. I personally enjoyed his performance and will be looking out for future projects from Nick. Unfortunately I am not sure the crowd felt the same way. They seemed to have mixed emotions and at some points, a few fans were yelling for Yachty to “come out already”.

After a brief intermission the lights dimmed and Yachty’s spectacular visual effects began while his all female band entered the stage. Yachty recently put this band together before his tour started which consists of vocalists Lea Grace Swinson and Romana R. Saintil, guitarist Quenequia Graves, bassist Teja Veal, drummer Monica Carter, and finally pianist Kennedy Avery Smith. Once Yachty and his band performed their entrance song, Yachty quieted everyone down to talk to the fans. He said “Anyone got a belt? I can’t perform without a belt, I don’t got one on me.” Countless belts started flying over my head to get to Yachty. One fan threw a Louis Vuitton belt, and Yachty said “Dang, someone threw a Louis?? You might not get this back after the show!” After sharing the funny moment with the fans, he resumed his performance. Yachty covered a wide variety of songs, from his harmonic ones with the band, all the way to some of his older drill style music by himself. Once he was ready for his band to return to close out the night, he made sure to pay homage to Pittsburgh by having everyone enter stage wearing a variety of Pittsburgh sports jerseys, including himself.

It’s safe to say Lil Yachty’s concert at the Roxian theatre was a night filled with incredible music, astonishing visuals and overall production. Not to mention his tour merch is awesome. I would say if you have the chance to catch Lil Yachty live on any of the upcoming dates for The Field Trip Tour, definitely consider going!

On the heels of their most recent album release, Movements hit the road with Heart to Gold, Softcult, and Mannequin Pussy. The newest album RUCKUS! released on August 18, 2023. The bands previous releases have all been fantastic, and this one is no different.

The night kicked off with Heart to Gold from Minnesota. This was a fantastic set to kick off the night, these guys absolutely rock. I missed this band the last time they played in Pittsburgh, so it was nice getting the chance to catch them this time.

The second band of the night was Softcult from Canada. I had only briefly touched on this bands discography before seeing them. The whole band seemed to be having the time of their lives on stage. The energy was incredible.

Philadelphia punk band Mannequin Pussy was the final band to play before the headliner. This set absolutely rocked. I had listened to this band a handful of times, and wasn’t quite sure what to expect from them. Everything about their set was fantastic. I would absolutely see this band again if I got the chance.

The final set of the night was California based band, Movements. I caught this band for the first time a few years ago when they opened for Knuckle Puck. Since then, the band has released a ton of new music. The evolution of their sound both on and off stage has been amazing to watch. This band brought a bag of songs to appeal to fans old and new. Songs from their new album RUCKUS! sounded fantastic live. I was hoping to hear a few songs from their 2017 album Feel Something and the band delivered with more than I could have imagined. The crowd was engaged for the entire set, even singing along loudly to the acoustic song “Fever Dream.”

All four bands were great, this was an absolutely perfect show.

Words and Photos by Tom Randall (www.instagram.com/trandallphoto)

On September 20th, at Roxain Theatre in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, Senses Fail performed a record that is rarely played by them. They brought back to life their 3rd studio album from 2008, Life is Not a Waiting Room. I couldn’t have been more eager to hear this album live.

The opener for the concert was a metalcore band called Thousand Below from San Diego, California. Up next was Holding Absence, a Welsh rock band from Cardiff, Whales. I’ve never heard of either band before heading into the night, but it’s safe to say they made it known who they are for everybody listening to them for the first time. Both bands showcased their unique styles and engaged the audience effectively. Overall they put on super solid shows and set the tone for the night.

As Senses Fail graced the stage, the energy in the room surged. From the first note, it was evident that the band was there to pour their hearts out. The lead singers raw, emotional vocals resonated with fans along with his superior stage presence. At times Buddy Nielsen would just start whipping his mic in the air by the chord, swinging it around, while dancing in the midst of the music. Not only did the band play Life is Not a Waiting Room in its entirety, but they also practically played a whole other set including a ton of their hits. Each song carried its own emotional weight, and the bands passionate delivery made for a memorable experience. It took me right back to my teenage days and I loved every minute of it. In the midst of the massive overall setlist, the band took a few moments to connect and engage with the crowd through conversation. Senses fail has been around for a long time and it showed in the love from the crowd. They mentioned how they never want Senses Fail fans to fade as the band ages. Quite frankly, I don’t think that’s possible, Senses Fail Rocks!

Tione Merritt, known to most of the world as Lil Tjay, hasn’t been on tour since 2021. This was when he toured for his second album called ‘Destined 2 Win’. For those who don’t know much about Lil Tjay, he was shot seven times in New Jersey of June 2022. Since surviving the tragic incident, LIL TJAY is back and better than ever. In 2022 he released a single along with a music video, called ‘Beat The Odds’. The video shows him in the hospital, writing and recording all while recovering. Fast track to now, he’s on tour for his third studio album, ‘222’.

This past Thursday, September 21 2023, Lil Tjay kicked off the ‘Beast The Odds Tour’ at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He performed at the UPMC Events Center located at Robert Morris University. The main opener for the night was a local artist named Fedd The God. Fedd is loved by Pittsburghs hip-hop fans, as he is signed to Taylor Gang Entertainment Record Label, founded by Pittsburgh legend Wiz Khalifa. Fedd kicked off the evening with an electrifying performance that set the tone for the night. What made his set particularly memorable was his fearless interaction with the crowd. He jumped off the pitt barrier, into the sea of fans! Every fan had their cell phone out for selfies with Fed.

Like Lil Tjay, another New York Native rapper Fivio Foreign, followed up Fedds performance with one of his own and further fueled the excitement. Fivio made sure to perform ‘Demons’, one of his biggest songs to date which he was a collaborator on, with no other than Drake. After performing some of his other hits, Lil Tjay took to the stage. With a mix of his chart-topping hits and new tracks, he demonstrated his lyrical prowess and stage presence. My personal favorite of the night was one he is featured on called ‘Mood Swings” which is the late Pop Smokes song. After a few songs, Lil Tjay brought Fivio Foreign back on stage to collaborate. The pair of New York rappers chemistry was undeniable, and it was a highlight of the evening, with the crowd erupting in cheers.

Overall, the Lil Tjay concert at the UPMC Events Center was a night to remember for Pittsburgh hip-hop fans. This is a tour you definitely do not want to miss, and it is just the beginning. Be sure to check Live Nation for upcoming tour dates. https://www.livenation.com/artist/K8vZ9179_Vf/lil-tjay-events

Neon Trees has been one of my favorite bands since around 2017, and I’ve been patiently (or sometimes not so patiently) waiting for them to go on tour. And finally it happened. Neon Trees kicked off their first tour since 2015 in San Francisco to the excitement of everyone there. Tyler Glenn is a dynamic and engaging lead singer, and being the first show on this tour there was some running around and changing of setlists (and reprinting of them) up and through the first song. Beyond that, you couldn’t tell that this pop rock band hasn’t toured in over 5 years. For me this was a big check off the bucket list.

Photos and review by Stephen Baksis

On the evening of September 7th, 2023, The Crafthouse Stage Bar and Grill in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, witnessed a nostalgic revival as the The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus took the stage. For many in the audience, myself included, this show was a trip down memory lane to our teenage years, and it did not disappoint. Before the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, were two bands I have never heard of before, but nonetheless were awesome performances. First up was a band called 3ree all the way from Australia, followed by a band called Bad Luck from New York City.

I have never been to The Crafthouse before and it was a much smaller, more intimate venue than I had expected. When The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus finally took stage, the floor below the dinning area was jam-packed. As the lights dimmed and the familiar chords of their classic hits filled the air, the crowd erupted in cheers. It was a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of their music.

One standout moment of the night was when the band invited not only a local fan, but drummer onto the stage to join them in playing a song. They stated that this is something the band had never done before. This gesture of camaraderie and support for local talent added a special touch to the evening, creating a unique connection between the band and the Pittsburgh audience. Below are two pictures I captured that features the Pittsburgh Native rocking out with the band, while also sharing a moment of pure joy with the lead singer, Ronnie Winter.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus not only delivered on nostalgia but also proved that their music remains timeless. Songs like “Face Down” and “Your Guardian Angel” resonated just as powerfully now as they did back in the day. The band’s amazing performance and Ronnie Winter’s charismatic stage presence made this a night to remember. Being able to witness and capture some moments from the night on my camera was an awesome feeling, and definitely a full circle moment for me, having grown up listening to these guys. This concert was not just a show, it was a reunion of sorts, reminding us why we fell in love with their music in the first place.

On September 3rd Deadlands played at Preserving Underground in New Kensington for the first time. This was one of the stops on their first tour ever, which was nothing but a success. With support from Truckstop and For Those In Question, it’s easy to say that the night was incredible. 

Kicking off the show was Truckstop with insane vocals and incredible riffs. The audience quickly matched the bands energy with mosh pits and cheering throughout their entire set. 

Next up was Pittsburgh-based For Those In Question. While I only got to experience the final song of their set as I was taking portraits for Deadlands, what I saw was amazing. Katie McInnes (lead singer) had a beautiful stage presence and had an even better voice. From what I could tell, the crowd was absolutely loving what the band had to offer. 

As soon as Deadlands took the stage things got wild. Their set was incredible with a banger after a banger. They played songs including “House of Cards”, an unreleased song, and the fan favorite “Crushed”. The part of their set that got the biggest reaction was the mashup of covers including “Holly Roller” by Spiritbox, “Bulls in the Bronx” by Pierce The Veil, “Shadow Moses” by Bring Me The Horizon, and “Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence. Since most of us found the band from Kasey Karlsen’s (lead singer) covers on TikTok, this was definitely the highlight of the show. The crowd never stopped cheering and there were several mosh pits throughout the band’s time on stage. It’s safe to say that Deadland’s certainly knows how to put on a show that is a must see. 

Deadland’s latest single “House of Cards” is now available on all streaming platforms.