The Ice Cold Winter tour, featuring Highly Suspect with support from Dead Poet Society, made it’s way into the Steel City. The Roxian Theater was SOLD OUT when these bands came to town. It didn’t take long for me to see why. Going into the night, I hadn’t heard much of either band. I had a friend in college who LOVED Highly Suspect, so I had some familiarity with them. Dead Poet Society is a band I have listened to only a handful of times, but never really took the time to deep dive into.
It was a pretty quick night with just two bands on the bill. Dead Poet Society opened up the night with some incredible energy. DPS had just recently released their most recent studio album “-!-” in 2021. These tracks were the ones that stood out to me the most during the show. I enjoyed .CoDa. and .intoodeep. the most from their set. DPS capped off their set with lead singer Jack hopping off the stage and diving into the crowd.
The headliner for the night was Highly Suspect. The crowd started to get a little antsy as their set time drew closer, as everyone was excited for what was to come. The lights went down and the theater filled with cheers and yells from the crowd. This was a band I have only heard a few times leading up to the night, so while I was not familiar with the songs, I was loving the energy. This band had everything a photographer could dream of: awesome lights, great energy and some KILLER outfits.
On February 11, 2023 singer-songwriter Adam Melchor played an excellent show at the Thunderbird Music Hall in Pittsburgh, PA for his Here Goes Nothing Tour. This tour was announced along with Adam’s debut album Here Goes Nothing last August, so all of his fans have been anticipating this experience for quite a while!
Words by Ella Donovan along with photos by Madalyn Schaller, if re-posting please credit @livefromthepitt412.
To open the show, the Ohio-based singer Cassidy King played an acoustic set of her original songs. Even though she did not have a full band playing behind her, Cassidy captivated the crowd with her stage presence and energy. In between songs, she was very well-spoken and made sure to have personal interactions with crowd members. Cassidy then went on to do a cover of “Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore, which quickly invigorated the audience. It was a great cover choice for her; her range and vocal style matched very well with the Pop Rock sound of the song. As her set came to an end, she definitely was able to capture the attention of many potential fans.
About a half hour later, Adam Melchor’s band began to trickle onto stage. Members included Matt Olson on the drums, Alex Foote on bass and keys, and Danny Spadaro on guitar. Throughout the show, Adam switched between his guitar, trumpet and piano. For their first song, they played “I’m Afraid I Love You,” which is the first song on his recent album. As soon as they played the first few notes, the crowd went wild. Pretty much every single song on the setlist received this same reaction! As the show went on, Adam played a few songs from the beloved Melchor Lullabye Hotline Vol. 1 such as “Moon in the Morning” and “Start Forgetting Death.” He went on to explain that these songs were all a result of being stuck at home during the pandemic. Each time Adam would speak between songs, he gave the audience the backstories of the songs he played. These quick explanations of why and how he wrote certain songs was very insightful and interesting to learn.
In the middle of the set, during the song “Rest of My Night,” Adam brought the crowd together by teaching them a phrase to sing. After a few rounds of singing “there goes the rest of my night” together, he encouraged us to put our arms around each other. It was a very wholesome moment in the show, and helped create a sense of community between all of the fans. Adam wanted us to all become friends and have the best time possible!
Towards the end of the show, Adam and the band played the hit songs “Joyride,” “Real Estate,” and “Lightyear.” All three of these songs were beautifully played, especially when you could hear the crowd singing along. Everyone had been anxiously waiting for these to be played, and finally their wait was over. After they ended the last song, the band came together for a group bow to thank the audience.
The overall environment that Adam Melchor creates at his shows is so welcoming, loving and playful. This was my third time seeing him play live, and each time he has increasingly improved his performance. He was already amazing the first time I saw him, but I think having a full band supporting him during the show was a great decision. Also, Adam’s vocals have continued to blow my mind. Each show he has shown a level of vocal control and range that consistently impresses me! Adam Melchor and his band are only a third of the way through this North American tour and have many more upcoming dates. Go see if you can make it to a show, and be sure to stream Here Goes Nothing on your favorite platform!
To view more photos from the show click on the image below:
The Commonheart, a Pittsburgh staple, closed out 2022 with a sold out headliner show at Mr. Smalls Theatre with special guest Ames Harding & the Mirage. The Commonheart partnered with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Operation Warm to bring brand-new coats and shoes to children in need. Check out a few photos from the show below!
Touchė Amoré is a band I have wanted to see live for a few years. I was lucky enough to catch them on a short two day tour run with Frail Body and Heavenly Blue. This small two day trip began in in Cleveland at Mahall’s, and ended the day after in Pittsburgh at Spirit Hall. Touché was previously touring with Screaming Females the week before.
All three bands brought incredible energy to the stage. Heavenly Blue played first, and put on a killer set to open the night. I hadn’t listened to this band leading up to the show, but still enjoyed their set. The second band to play was Frail Body from Illinois. I’ve heard this band a couple times leading up to the show, and had enjoyed the little that I had listened to. These guys brought great energy to the stage, and the crowd opened up a little bit more during their set.
Touché Amoré is a band that I heavily admire. I think all of their releases have been fantastic, from their self titled album from 2008, to their most recent release Lament from 2020. The band played a blend of songs spanning a couple different albums. I was most excited to hear songs off the bands 2016 album Stage Four, an album that has meant a lot to me since I heard it back in 2019. This album talks about the death of lead singer, Jeremy Bolm’s mother, who passed away from cancer. I also lost my mother to cancer when I was 11, so this album has always stuck with me. That album displays so much heart, its impossible to not love.
Their set was fantastic, and was much worth the wait. This set was pretty difficult to shoot, as the crowd was as rowdy as ever. The band opened with the opening track of Stage Four, “Flowers and You.” The crowd responded almost immediately, screaming and moshing. Everyone was having a great time, and the energy was kept up through the entire set. I was also very excited to hear a couple songs off the 2020 album Lament, which all sounded so tight. The crowd was also gifted a guest appearance by Hayden, lead singer of For Your Health.
If Touché Amoré ever plays in your town, go see them.
Click on the photo to view some more shots from their set!
Photos and words by Tom Randall (www.instagram.com/trandallphoto)
With the return of winter weather in Pittsburgh, I’ve been on the hunt for anything and everything warm to remind me of summer. Hot mochas, cozy soups, and fuzzy blankets are at the top of my vocabulary. After Friday’s show at Club Cafe, I’ve discovered my newest comfort is in music by Oliver Hazard and Brother Elsey.
From the moment they stepped on stage to the last note, Oliver Hazard’s presence was warm, cozy, and welcoming with hints of awkward (in the best way possible). They even made proper use of the word “yinz”, which we all know is the way to a Pittsburgher’s heart. They were also very humble, mentioning it was a dream to tour with their best friends and how happy they were to be living that dream.
Their lineup is a simple 3-piece group from northwestern Ohio, most notably missing a designated “drummer” and instead opting for a few foot pedals to cover some light percussion parts. Lyrics in their songs talk about life topics such as believing in something and trusting your instincts – something everyone can relate to.
Also on tour with Oliver Hazard is Brother Elsey, an alt-indie band made up of four brothers from Detroit. Brother Elsey writes a lot about family and how much of an impact it has on their lives. Closing their set with a fan favorite, Dreamer, brought the audience to life yelling lyrics about bravery and not giving up.
Walking into this show I made a joke to my friend about needing a drink after a long week at work. I was stressed, tired, and honestly wasn’t even in the mood for a concert. After Oliver Hazard’s first song, I knew I had made the right decision to go out. After Brother Elsey’s last song, I turned to Ashley and said “that was EXACTLY what I needed”. Comfy, cozy, warm, & fuzzy – the best possible way to spend a Friday night.
Turnstile brought their second leg of the Turnstile Love Connection tour to Stage AE last night, and to say it was an experience is an understatement. From Turnstile’s crazy stage presence to insanely catchy music, I don’t think you will ever catch another show that captivates the vibe Turnstile does.
Snail Mail was the direct support on tour. And to mention the word vibe again… I’m not sure there is a better word to describe Snail Mail’s music. It’s more on the chill side, but that’s a good thing! I couldn’t help myself from digging into their discog as soon as I got in my car. Highly recommend checking them out and catching a show near you!
Pianos Become the Teeth is wrapping up their tour, following the release of their newest album Drift. Supporting Pianos on this tour is Dreamtigers and Dosser. On 11/11, the tour stopped in Pittsburgh at Preserving Underground. This show was supported by local openers, and my dearest friends, overtheweather.
overtheweather opened up the night. The four piece played songs from all of their releases, including both songs off their newest split Food Fight. This split is awesome, both OTW and Toluca Lake have incredible tracks on the album. I highly recommend giving it a listen! The band also played other songs from their previous releases Party Socks (2021), and Old Room (2019). These guys never fail to amaze me (even though I am at all of their shows) and this night was no different. It’s important to have a high energy band to open the night, and OTW played that role perfectly.
The second set of the night was Dosser from Baltimore, MD. Dosser is a great band. While their sound may not have directly peeked my interest, this band is clearly extremely talented and their music is well crafted. The band played some songs from their upcoming debut LP, which is expected to be released in January of next year. I happened to run into a few of the band members after the show, and they were a very nice group of people.
The third band to play was Dreamtigers from Massachusetts. This set absolutely blew me away. I have only briefly listened to this band leading up to the show. I found this band through their lead singer and drummer, who both play in a band called Defeater. The band played through songs from their newest album Ellapsis. I made sure to give it a spin on my way home from the show. I would highly recommend this album.
Pianos Become the Teeth from Baltimore, MD closed out the night. PBTT haven’t been through Pittsburgh in a few years, so I was very excited when I saw they were coming through on this tour. The band just released their fifth full length album Drift. Pianos has seen a change in their sound since their initial debut release Old Pride in 2010. The band was originally a screamo band, but once lead vocalist Kyle Durfey decided to stop screaming, they morphed their music to better fit the new sound. While I do thoroughly enjoy their older music, the newest album is fantastic. Hearing some of the songs live was an incredible experience. Pianos Become the Teeth have a few more days left on this tour.
I would love to see this band again in the future.
Photos and words by Tom Randall (www.instagram.com/trandallphoto)
Meet Kevin Sullivan, also known as Field Medic. He has a genre of music you can’t put in one category. For me, I was introduced to Field Medic in 2018, when he was opening for Wallows on their first North American tour. Shortly after that, he opened for alternative band Remo Drive, and during that run they made a stop in Pittsburgh, PA. That was the first show I ever photographed, and the first show that truly sparked my interest in concert photography.
Fast forward to 2022, and Field Medic is on his first headlining tour. It began shortly after releasing his most recent album grow your hair long if you’re wanting to see something that you can change. He made a stop near Cleveland in Lakewood, OH at Mahall’s on Nov. 5, 2022. You could tell that his fans were truly excited to see him perform again. I have traveled with my close friend Ella for many shows, and this show was almost exactly a year from when we last saw him at Union Stage in Washington, DC. Before the show, Ella and I spoke with fans outside who also saw him on his run with Remo Drive, and we even saw fans in the crowd that we met from a prior show.
Performing with a band for the first time was something new to see from Field Medic, but wow.. just wow. Drummer Nate Lich and bassist Dakota Floeter really added an extra element to his songs. In the past it was just Field and a boombox, but due to the fragility of boomboxes, it became hard to tour with them. Though he always had one backup stereo, Field Medic knew he needed to bring some friends along with him on tour. His indie-folk music led to fans cheering all night long. Hearing everyone sing along to his music really made for a fulfilling night.
Seeing the growth from his performances while also seeing where my photography has led me is something I’m so thankful for. It is cool to be able to continue to support artists while also pursuing the things I am passionate about. Below are two images from the first show I shot at The Fun House on Sep. 16, 2018.
Write up with photos by Madalyn Schaller, @madalyns.photos via instagram.
Tory Silver, originally from Boston, MA made their way into the Local Pittsburgh music scene. They have a chill coffee shop vibe to their music, so playing at the Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall was the perfect setting. On November 3, 2022, Silver had the opportunity to open for artist Bartees Strange. You can Stream their most recent album Slowly here.
On October 15, the Women Who Rock event returned to Stage AE. This benefit concert was founded by Melinda Coliazzi and helps fund research for women’s health at the Magee Womens Research Institute and Foundation. The event brought women of all kinds together for one night to have fun while educating about the importance of women’s health.
At the start of the event, DJ Huny curated a mix of jams while people from all over the city came together to promote health, fitness, and beauty. All proceeds went to the institute for women’s health research, and both a silent auction and a live auction was held.
Michelle Micheals of 102.5 WDVE opened the night by introducing local band Tiny Wars to the stage. The band is made up of two very powerful lead women. Abby Krizner, from local radio station 105.9 The X, plays lead guitar and vocals alongside Sue Pedrazzi who does vocals and synth. Also, they have Rocko on the guitar, Aaron on the bass, and Dennis on the drums.
After Tiny War’s set, The Annual Impact Award was given. Each year, it is presented to a woman who has dedicated her time into the studies and advocacy of women’s health. Presented by past winner Kelly-Frey of WTAE, the award was given to Dr. Lisa Roahn. She is a pharmaceutical scientist and professor at the MWRIF, and is currently working on a Nasal Spray that could prevent Covid.
Following the award presentation, they brought rising star Graciella to the stage. She then welcomed this year’s new rising star Ashley Marina to perform an original song. Marina then introduced Texas female rock musician Emily Wolfe.
The night ended with a performance from headliner Jordin Sparks. She spoke on getting to visit the Magee Womens Research Institute and how she spoke with lab techs on their studies. Sparks was so fascinated with the research, and she spoke on wanting to get more involved in the lab. She ended the night with her classic hits and even played new songs. Sparks really knows how to connect with the crowd!
Photos and words by: Madalyn Schaller (@madalyns.photos via instagram).
