On February 8, San Diego based indie pop band almost monday performed at the Foundry in Philadelphia as a part of their Dive Tour that celebrates their debut studio album! (See press release kit for more info)
Opener: Adrian Lyles
The opener of the night was singer-songwriter Adrian Lyles. Prior to this concert, I had never really heard of his name before, but apparently, he’s been in Disney Channel’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. In my opinion, I thought his performance was pretty good. I think my favorite song of his was “King of Everything,” which highlights themes of insecurity and feeling like you’ll never live up to external/internal expectations and really speak to a common feeling never feeling like enough, and how that can make us feel like we’re moving too slow, or we’re stuck in life. Honestly, with a song writing like that, I personally don’t think Lyles has anything to worry about. I’m really excited to see what he does in the future, as he continues to refine his sound and footing in the music industry!
Headliner: almost monday
The start off the show, almost monday took to the stage with “Dive,” the first track off of Dive, followed by “Is It Too Late,” and “Can’t Slow Down,” their current leading single. I always love seeing different artists setlists and the order they put songs in. In my personal opinion, I thought these three songs were a great start for the night and succeeded in breaking in the crowd for the rest of the set. For those who are unaware, almost monday embodies a sound that transports you right to the sandy beaches of California- everything about their melodies screams summertime. Even in the dead of winter, from the moment they started playing, all I wanted was the warm sun on my face and a pina colada in my hand to compliment them.
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Other notable songs in this performance were “Cough Drops,” “Tidal Wave,” a mash-up featuring “Broken People” and “Parking Lot View,” and “she likes sports,” which is a personal favorite of mine. I like to describe this song is the hip sun-kissed younger sister of Cake’s “The Distance.” One aspect of the performance that I particularly liked was the seamless transitions between most songs. It genuinely felt like they all meshed into one another perfectly and created a unique progression that one cannot properly experience other than hearing it live.
In all, I would say this concert was definitely worth the time. I will be honest, it did seem like the energy at this concert was a little low, but I think that is to be expected. It was revealed that earlier that day, the lead singer, Dawson Daugherty, was feeling sick. Fortunately, he was still able to roll up his metaphorical sleeves and deliver a full concert by his band mates’ side. Other than that, I have no real qualms over the quality of this performance. Given that almost monday is only on their debut album and is already dishing out bangers like “Can’t Slow Down,” and “jupiter,” I can confidently conclude that their future is nothing short of sunny!
On December 6, Albany raised pop-punk powerhouse State Champs brought their boundless musical talent to the four walls of the Fillmore in Philly.
Since 2010, State Champs have been curating and perfecting their natural tone and memorable tunes. In those 14 years, they have managed to acquire a sizable footing in the alternative scene with their gift for gab and knack for memorable hooks displayed throughout 3 EPs and 5 studio albums.
My history with State Champs dates back to 2018, when I first listened to a couple of songs from Around The World and Back and Living Proof. From first listen, I was a huge fan of their lyrics and overall sound, and I’ve been along for the ride ever since. Their 5th self-titled studio album was just released last year on Nov 8. To say the least, I can without a doubt say that this album was indeed a lovely light, as November was definitely not an easy month to get through for many people.
A Daisy Grenade For Sure
The first act of the night was none other than the power grunge duo Daisy Grenade. Having been in the alternative music scene for quite a while, I have heard this name pop into my peripheral from time to time, however, I never quite found a chance to really listen to any of their music in earnest up to this point. From what I heard, their music is a delicate combination of sassy bubblegum grunge with claw scratches of metal throughout to depict the dark reality of being a girl in today’s day and age. My favorite song of theirs was “How To Hide A Body,” as it perfectly encompasses a narrative of feminine rage. Sadly, I failed to get any pictures because not only was I late getting to the concert, but I had failed to turn off my camera after learning how to use it a couple of hours before arriving. It was indeed a moment of weakness. As a result, the entirety of Daisy Grenade’s setlist was heard from the back of the venue, whilst I charged the camera battery. Sorry, Dani and Keaton, the lack of pictures is on my hands, and you deserved better.
Let the Service Begin: Meet Me at the Alter
Next in the lineup was the three-piece easycore band Meet Me at the Altar. This was yet another group to which I had awareness, but no real interaction with. Upon the first couple of minutes of listening to their set the main thought that kept recurring through my brain was how powerful and crystal-clear lead singer Edith Victoria’s voice is. Seriously, with a sound like hers, this woman could sing any genre of music with a high chance of it sounding amazing. Highlights of their set included ” Say It (to My Face)” and “Now or Never.”
Knuckle, Puck This Band Good! The last opener was Knuckle Puck, an emo group inspired by the ice hockey play of the same name. Prior to this show, I was really only familiar with a couple of their more popular songs from their 2017 album Shapeshifter, so it was nice to catch up with this band’s more recent discography. One thing that I really enjoyed about their sound was how raspy lead singer Joe Taylor’s voice is. It is absolutely perfect for the genre of music they are in. Some of my personal favorites from their setlist included “Groundhog Day,” “You and I,” and “On All Cylinders”.
The Real Winners of America: State Champs
After waiting patiently for around an hour and a half, Derek, Tyler, Ryan, and Evan, finally took to the stage before an ever-ready audience. As their newest album State Champs had just been released, a majority of it was played throughout the show, save for “The Constant,” “Sobering,” “Just a Dream,” “Golden Years,” and “I Still Want To.” The rest of the setlist was filled with hits from their older albums like “Perfect Score,” “All You Are is History,” and “Dead and Gone.”
One aspect of the setlist that I absolutely loved was how four of my all-time favorite songs “Outta My Head,” “Light Blue,” “Criminal,” and “Clueless,” were played immediately after I had stepped out of the pit, ultimately meaning I could relax and enjoy them. In all honesty, this could not have worked out any more perfect. I saw it as a little reward for powering through the stress induced by both a camera battery that I forgot to turn off properly, and unexpected crowd surfers I constantly had to look out for while I was taking pictures. Other songs I was delighted to hear live were “Elevated,” and “Secrets,” the latter which was played as the very last song during the encore.
Aside from the setlist, another aspect that made this show special was the banter between the bandmates themselves and their interaction with the audience. Throughout the show, the band made it a point to thank everyone in the crowd for supporting them several times, as well as leave out time for joking around and talking about their experience as a band so far.
In Closing…
All in all, I would say this concert was a solid performance. Everyone who was on stage at one point or another sounded great and brought some much-needed energy and catharsis to the crowd. Everything down to the concert playlist between sets was amazing, especially when One Direction’s “No Control,” began blaring through the speakers. Whoever decided to put that song on the playlist was doing something right and needs a huge raise. Too bad it was cut off right before the chorus could even play… as someone who was partly a Louis girl, it was a little disappointing. I quickly got over it though because I was able to hear Knuckle Puck live.
As always, the Fillmore served as an exceptional venue with a beautiful atmosphere, great sound equipment, and friendly staff. I honestly cannot say enough about how nice this venue is. It has been one of my favorite venues in Philadelphia for a long time and will most likely remain so for a while!
After a semester-long hiatus from writing for the blog, I figured there was no time like the new year to jump back in. Although I am a tried and true WVUD-devotee, I’ve taken inspiration from my second favorite radio station, WXPN’s, Top 15 Albums of the Year. As much as I wish I could say I’ve listened to 15 full albums released in 2024, I would be lying to you. So, on this the second day of January in the year 2025, I’ve decided to present you, dear reader, with the Indecisive Hour’s top 25 new songs of 2024. I hope that perhaps this will be some encouragement to check out something you haven’t heard before in this new year and reflect on some of the fantastic music that 2024 brought us.
25. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Billie Eilish
While I have to admit that I’m getting a little tired of this song due to its major popularity and trendiness, that could not stop “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” from making my list. I found it to be an extremely refreshing release for Billie Eilish and, when I heard it the first time, I didn’t even recognize her voice. This song is softer and more emotional than what I’m used to hearing from Eilish, heavy hits like “bad guy” and “Happier Than Ever.” Perhaps it’s the simplicity of the song that threw me too. I find Eilish’s tracks to often be either complex and technologic or rather bare but BIRDS OF A FEATHER lacks complexity in its steady drum beat, tambourine rhythm, and easy acoustic melody that underlay the whole song. Being only a sporadic listener, I found it different to hear raw, romantic lyrics in her song. She speaks of love so deep that to lose her lover to death would leave her nothing else to live for. And then of course, the phrase that Eilish made internet famous: “I’ll love you till the day that I die.” It turns out that she and her brother/songwriting partner, Finneas, purposefully created this juxtaposition within the lyrics, a deep love song that is also dark and beautifully sad at the same time.
24. “Pink Lemonade” – Sub-Radio
It’s still surprising to me that Sub-Radio isn’t more popular than (I think) they should be. I’m certainly biased, but there’s just something addictive about their indie-pop sound, infused with a hint of punk-rock. The band released this sunny-sounding tune in late September and it would have been a killer summer anthem had it preceded the season. Sub-Radio has a knack for bringing home unapologetic, punchy grooves that harken back to the early days of the 2010’s in the best way possible. Despite hailing from D.C., their sound feels like California to me – beachy and bright, endless pops of color and easy-going kind of greatness that makes me yearn for whatever they cook up next.
23. “Creeping on the Dancefloor” – The Zutons
The Zutons’ 2024 album, The Big Decider, was the first new music from the England- based group in 16 years. I have WXPN to thank for introducing me to this tune and I was taken with it from the opening riff – simple yet driving, then supplemented charmingly by some cowbell and lead singer David McCabe’s gravelly vocals to really hook you. My favorite lyric in the song is undoubtedly this: “Gina likes to party, puts on her favorite pants.” Just this additive alone makes me think that Gina, whoever she is, sounds like a super cool person to hang out with. I mean, she’s got favorite pants – favorite party pants at that. Regardless, this song lives up to its name in my book as it makes me want to crank it up on the dance floor.
22. “National Treasure” – Barns Courtney
“National Treasure” kicks off Courtney’s 2024 album, Supernatural, and the song is unmistakable from the very beginning for its loose, tinny-sounding guitar that seems to reel you in and put you on edge at the same time. One of the things that I think Courtney excels at in many of his best known tracks is to the ability to produce a driving and darkly hypnotic groove that keeps his listeners sucked in. “National Treasure” follows suit and packs a punch with its deep, heavy bridge that only leaves you wanting more.
21. “Too Sweet” – Hozier
From my perspective, “Too Sweet” turned out to be Hozier’s most mainstream hit since “Take Me To Church” swept the board back in 2013. A decade later, the Irishman presented us with this earthy, vibey tune that we all can’t seem to get enough of. Hozier takes inspiration from the Irish phrase “too sweet to be savory,” and uses the song to give voice to the feelings of rejection toward someone who has their life together just a little bit too much. He presents a stream of so-called bad habits and quietly defends them, a subtle rebellion to charm even the most Type-A people out there…or maybe it’s just that awesome bass lick. Put simply, the song is a straight-up vibe and I think that’s what has drawn so many listeners in. Though, I have been thoroughly amused by many of the misheard lyrics that have also resulted. Now half of my brain wants to hear “I’ll take my whisk and leave” every time I hear the chorus.
20. “Bright Lights” – The Killers
If I’ve been craving anything lately, it’s a new album from The Killers, which we haven’t gotten since 2021. Admittedly, I never really got into Pressure Machine but it’s music akin to the masterpiece that is their 2020 album, Imploding the Mirage, that I long for with a burning passion. While I didn’t get the album that I wanted in 2024, “Bright Lights” was a fair consolation prize with its sparkling percussion and energy. Over the past few years, the band has made sure we don’t forget about them, releasing the single “Your Side of Town” in August of 2023, their compilation album, Rebel Diamonds, in December of 2023 (which I must say was a rather cruel joke to someone constantly on the lookout for a new album from them), and now we have “Bright Lights” to tide us over until the next album. But even without the tiny doses of new music, The Killers are simply unforgettable and I attribute some of this to lead singer, Brandon Flowers, his incredibly distinctive voice, and he has the uncanny ability to fill any lyric he sings with emotional power. Regardless of how long they make us wait, you better believe I will still be ready and chomping at the bit for that new album.
19. “She Flows Like H2O” – Capital Cities, Alex Rzyan
It’s funky, it’s techno – I love it. I’m not a big Capital Cities listener and I really only know their ever-popular hit, “Safe and Sound” and their less mainstream banger from the same album, “Kangaroo Court,” the latter song being my preference in this comparison. I don’t have a lot of specific reasons for loving this single…I just do and it’s great to enjoy some music that’s a little bit different in genre to what I’m used to hearing.
18. “House Parties” – Dawes
It’s undoubtedly the lyrics from brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith that capture my attention when it comes to Dawes’ music. They always seem to find unexpected ways to be relatable and “House Parties” is not lacking in the honest thoughts and cheeky takes that I’ve come to adore (particularly their calm, subtle judgement of Kanye West – that gave me a good laugh the first time). This particular song addresses the less glamorous realities of traveling, which seems so simple but it’s something that everyone can understand, especially with something as romanticized as travel. The Goldsmiths speak of sunburn at the beach, exhausting trips to New York City and seem to encourage their listeners to think…why? I love this song because I find it grounding. I’m a homebody myself and travel isn’t always my forte, so it feels nice for someone else to acknowledge the challenges that come with it but also to just bring us back to the smaller, simpler things in life, using the lyrics to contrast with the hustle and bustle of travel and tourism.
17. “feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Coldplay
Preceding their October album release, Moon Music, Coldplay released “feelslikeimfallinginlove” as a single in June. In my opinion, the song truly does feel like falling in love. Martin and the band captured the both hesitation and fear, as well as the deep wonder and euphoria in this track. I don’t think I even realized it was Coldplay the first time I heard it but it still has the same sweeping, celestial beauty that I’ve come to associate with their music.
16. “Howling at Wolves” – Stephen Sanchez
“Howling at Wolves” came with a collection of five new songs on Sanchez’ Angel Face (Club Deluxe) album that became available in April. As a big Sanchez fan myself, it was such a treat to be gifted with new additions to an album that I already revere as one of my favorites of all time. This song is a wonderful burst of energy from this saccharine crooner, once more showcasing his incredible capability and range. It pays homage to one of Sanchez’ favorite bands and biggest inspirations, indie-rock group Lord Huron. Sanchez has certainly captured many hearts with his mid-century swagger and his persona as “The Troubadour” and “Howling at Wolves” is merely another iteration of his ability to take his listeners back in time.
15. “Blue Over You” – Mason Ramsey
I am a sucker for music that takes you back in time…and admittedly for a crooner as well. Mason Ramsey has been steadily rising to fame on the country music scene, performing on prestigious, national stages such as the Grand Ole Opry, the Grammy Awards, CMA Awards, and several other events and festivals. I hadn’t even heard his name until I stumbled upon this, his most popular song, in the spring. Ramsey is recognized for his vocal resemblance to 20th century country star, Hank Williams, and also for his remarkable youth. But he certainly doesn’t sound like he’s 18 when you hear him sing. It’s not all that often that we get to hear classic-sounding ballads like this anymore, so “Blue Over You” was a welcome change to my listening habits with its throwback feel. I’m not so much a fan of classic country music but I sure am interested to see where Ramsey goes as his popularity continues to skyrocket.
14. “The Kill” – Maggie Rogers
I have to be honest…this is the one song on the list that I really haven’t listened to all that much. So how, you may ask, did it make its way to my number 14 song? I didn’t really give it a huge amount of attention until this December when I watched parts of Maggie Rogers’ set from this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival and I was reminded just how badly I want to be obsessed with her (the reasons why I hold back not are a story for another time but in short, they don’t have anything to do with Rogers herself). I’m enchanted by her energy on stage and the dichotomy of two ex-lovers that she presents in this song, that way that both parties were at fault for the demise of their relationship. It’s a beautiful and harsh reality that Rogers tackles in an undeniably catchy tune.
13. “FRI(END)S” – V
K-pop group BTS’ member, V, came out of left field in March with this charmingly punchy pop song that deviates from what have become his rainy-day jazz tendencies when it comes to his solo music. As a BTS fan, I’m used to hearing V’s unique, sultry tone in tandem with his six fellow members but there’s just something so different about hearing him sing a full solo song in English rather than his native language of Korean. Not to mention he’s been actively serving in the South Korean military for the past year. I don’t pretend to know how all the member of the group have managed to release solo music during their time in mandatory military service but needless to say, it is impressive.
12. “Happy” – Something Corporate, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
This song might just be my favorite gut punch of the year. Now don’t get confused – Andrew McMahon and Something Corporate are more or less one in the same. Having been the frontman of both Something Corporate and punk-rock band Jack’s Mannequin, Andrew McMahon and his current Wilderness bandmates embarked on a reunion tour with both bands this past year. In July, “Happy” hit streaming platforms. It’s the simple chorus of “I just wanna be happy, happy, I’m trying but it’s never enough” that really hits me in the feels. For me, it connects to my feelings (much anxiety and anticipation) about my future career path as I start my final semester of college because in the end, whatever it ends up being, I just want to do something that makes me happy.
11. “Slow Dance” (feat. Sofia Carson) – Jimin
I must admit…I only know Sofia Carson from her appearance in the Descendants movies. But, as embarrassing as that may be, I cannot deny that she blends perfectly with the likes of Jimin, another BTS powerhouse. In his small assortment of solo work, this is Jimin’s first collaboration with a female singer and I think it’s simply magical. Carson’s breathiness pairs so well with the breezy vibe of the song and Jimin gets to utilize his powerful range. In my opinion, it’s yet another combination of two well-matched singers and the result is three minutes of affectionate bliss and unmatched easy vibes.
10. “I Guess Time Just Makes Fools Of Us All” – Father John Misty
This song feels like the opening overture of a musical when it begins. It feels like the start of a story. And, in a way, it is. XPN DJ Eric Schuman called it a “songwriting tour-de-force” in XPN’s mega list and, given that the whole song feels like a poem, I have to say I agree. Josh Tillman (pseud. Father John Misty) underlaid a disco beat in this song merely for the reason that it was so “uncalled for” on the track. In each verse, he presents a new type of story to illustrate his overall point: time really does make fools of us all at one point or another. It’s a genius collection of many different tales across the eight and a half minute song and each offers a view into ideas that really make you think.
9. “Barefoot on the Dancefloor” – Moon Taxi
Moon Taxi manages to capture a moment in time with this easy, breezy, beachy tune. You may recognize the band by their 2018 hit, “Two High” but I think they’ve lent themselves to enticing a new audience with this song. It’s very much a slow, intimate song, one that‘s for swaying on the dancefloor with your lover on a summer evening. I just want to note that during the year, I kept mistakenly thinking that this song was from reggae-based singer, Mihali, whose music I’ve also been listening to this year. Then, ironically, Moon Taxi appeared on Mihili’s most recent solo release in mid-December…coincidence?
8. “Baby Blue Bathing Suit” – Stephen Sanchez
Sanchez definitely set the tone for the summer when he released this single in May. He took a stab at writing a Beach Boys-inspired tune and the result is a sunny sensation that still carries the vintage, throwback feel that Sanchez does so well. And, to top it all off, it packs a killer, euphoric key change, the likes of which I couldn’t have dreamed to be blessed with. Nothing made me happier than to enjoy this soaring serenade in the lead-up to the summer.
7. “Say It Like You Mean It” – Sleater-Kinney
It’s good. I like it. There, I said it like I meant it. In all seriousness, Sleater-Kinney does come with one of my favorite stories of the year. Over the summer, I worked at The Queen Theater in Wilmington and I was scheduled to work Sleater-Kinney’s concert at the end of July. And I would have done so but, as circumstances might have it, one of the members of this female duo had lost her voice and thus, the concert was cancelled. And while this was disappointing, it did bring up an ironic realization that I cannot take credit for. If you know Sleater-Kinney, you may be familiar with their 2019 song, “Can I Go On.” On that night, it turned out they could not.
6. “Can’t Stop Talking” – The Struts
I’d heard good things about The Struts for a while and finally got around to listening to their music this fall. I saw they had just released this single and decided to try it out. “Can’t Stop Talking” began a fixation for me that I still find myself in the depths of as The Struts have quickly risen to be one of my current favorite artists. I’m obsessed with their unapologetic lyrics and their English rock sound. Their songs have boundless energy and they’re electrifying in their punchy sound. And of course, they’re incredibly cheeky, like any good English rock band should be. They’re fun and entertaining just to listen to and I’m still bumming that I couldn’t take the opportunity to see them live in Harrisburg this past October.
5. “Caesar on a TV Screen” – The Last Dinner Party
This badass female quintet rose to popularity this year with their smashing debut album, Prelude to Ecstacy. The album as a whole has an orchestral-type feeling but I was immediately drawn to the unique structure of “Caesar on a TV Screen.” It has what feels like three distinct and recurring musical themes, reminding me of the classical pieces that I have studied in various music theory and history courses. I’m fascinated by the theatricality of this musical decision and enchanted by the way it works so well for the song. These ladies are not afraid to say what’s on their minds and “Caesar,” like the majority of the album, subtly highlights the strength of women and confronts sexism by putting females on top, our own version of Caesar himself.
4. “Housewarming” (feat. Brandi Carlile) (The New Recording) – Lucius
Like its name, “Housewarming” just feels warm to listen to, with its light, acoustic flow and the soothing, folky voices of Lucius and later, Americana legend Brandi Carlile herself. The duo’s vocals and lyrics take the spotlight over a quiet instrumentation and I love the way that the words celebrate the humanness of a romantic partner, not only as a lover but also as a friend. I feel that these lyrics describe something like what real love should be: accepting the flaws of the other and acknowledging the struggles that come along with a relationship, but also how the willingness to put in the work can make all the difference. And all of this comes together in the feelings of comfort, familiarity, and love that Lucius feel is the essence of making a home, wherever you are.
3. “I Like It” – Stray Kids
They were my top artist of the year on Spotify, so they had to make it into my top three and this is a song that I’ve been obsessed with since Stray Kids released their new album, ATE, in July. I find that I keep coming back to their music because they seem to always cook up something unexpected with their new tracks, something you didn’t expect from them and yet, they never disappoint. Despite being on a Korean album, the majority of “I Like It” is actually in English and it is essentially alluding to the nature of a casual dating experience, the reluctance to commit. I enjoy the clever way that they play around with using the words “like” and “love” in these lyrics because it’s a great way of symbolizing what a situation like this can look and feel like – roundabout and complex. Just take the line “Love that I like you, but I don’t wanna love.”
2. “Me Before You” – Bleachers
I’m still in awe of this beautiful, seemingly timeless track from Bleachers. It’s been one of those that has grown on me steadily as I’ve listened to it more and more and I was even lucky enough to experience it live this summer when I saw Bleachers perform in Philadelphia. Frontman Jack Antonoff explained on Bleachers’ Off The Record TikTok series that the song describes a lonelier time in his life and that he feels we humans have a habit of revisiting our past through the lens of where we are in life. “Me Before You” is meant to channel that feeling and to find the beauty in being alone and to appreciate it for what it is. I’ve always felt like Bleachers has the ability to capture what the East Coast sounds like in every song that they make, but this is the one that grips me the most when it comes to this idea. I don’t know if it’s the characteristic saxophone inclusion or simply the brain of a man from Jersey, but it is perhaps my favorite thing about Bleachers’ music.
1. “Fainted Love” – Conan Gray
I’ll start with a disclaimer here: You will never hear me shut up about this album as a whole and I found it incredibly difficult to choose just one song from it to crown my list. But “Fainted Love” has a very special place in my heart: it was the first song I ever listened to from this album, the song that Gray opened his Found Heaven tour with, and the song I simply never get tired of hearing. All of the songs from this album carry a very distinctive 80’s pop-rock sound, from the abundance of synth beats to the kick-drums and I truly cannot get enough of it. Gray took inspiration from 80’s songs for this album and this track was originally called “Faded Love” when he first wrote it. He channeled the feeling of settling for love that isn’t what you deserve, but it’s better than being alone; a love that’s faded and toxic. But “faded” didn’t feel quite right, so he changed it to “fainted” because of the way it sounded like “fated.” If you happen to be interested in reading more about Gray’s Found Heaven album, check out my album review right here on the WVUD blog.
October started off with a bang as Conan Gray hit the stage on October 1st, 2024 at The Mann in Philadelphia, PA. Showcasing songs from Found Heaven, Superache, Kid Krow, and at the time, an emotional unreleased song, “Holidays”.
I hadn’t listened to Conan in ages, since 2020 to be exact, but I practically jumped at the opportunity to see the hero of my teenage dreams. Kid Krow, Conan’s debut album touched at my heartstrings with tear jerkers like “Heather”, “The Story”, and “The Cut That Always Bleeds.” “Maniac” was also a notable favorite, encouraging some awesome sing-alongs between my sister and I.
Prior to the concert, I’d never heard anything off Superache or the newest masterpiece of Found Heaven, save for the few lyrics heard in between a car full of women excited for the whimsical night ahead. Going in nearly blind, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Conan Gray did not disappoint!
Upon arrival, Maisie Peters was immediately a spectacular opener. Upbeat and cheery eyed, Peters was able to get the crowd hyped. She even won over the hearts of two middle-aged men that stood in front of us, prompting Macayla, an awesome WVUD exec member and friend, to explain Peters to her heart’s content.
If you’re a fan of emo girl-pop, Maisie Peters will be your best friend! Some notable songs she performed were “Lost The Breakup”, “Not Another Rockstar”, and “History Of Man.” Her powerful delivery and relatable songs conjure up what every teenage girl is feeling right now. Her crisp vocals and clean guitar made Peters an absolute powerhouse of an opener.
Once Peters’ wonderful set was over, the anticipation had begun. I hastily made my way to the front, beyond the barricade, to get some amazing glamor shots. With Conan Gray marking my first WVUD sanctioned experience as a concert photographer, it was overwhelming to say the least. Conan opened with a bang, bringing out the whole nine-yards of fog machines and strobe lights.
The first three songs performed were “Fainted Love”, “Never Ending Song”, and “Wish You Were Sober.” To be honest, it was difficult to comprehend the performance as I was focused on getting the perfect photo, but my eyes and ears were overwhelmed with the delightful sound of Conan’s voice for the first time in four years. It was unbelievably amazing.
After regaining my visual and auditory senses, I was able to tune back in for “The Exit,” which is an absolute marvel to see live. Conan’s ability to put so much emotion into each song never ceases to amaze me. Directly after, Conan sang happy birthday to someone in the crowd, putting a huge smile on everyone’s faces.
Conan followed up with “People Watching”, getting the crowd to sing “I feel love, emotion” to back up his verses. What an amazing feeling it was to be a part of a performance. “The Cut That Always Bleeds” drew out a new type of emotion within me, and encouraged me to sing with my chest and release all my emotions. “Jigsaw” and “Family Line” were absolute bangers.
However, the real emotion began to hit when I saw “The Story” live. Perhaps my favorite song of the Kid Krow era, seeing only Conan on stage with his guitar and gut wrenching story to tell brought tears to my eyes. Never in a million years would I have dreamed of witnessing this masterpiece live, and now fifteen-year-old me can die happy.
An immediate follow-up of the unreleased “Holidays” stirred excitement within the crowd. Another acoustic song, similar to “The Story”, this nostalgic but hopeful tune makes me excited to see future songs. “Astronomy” was another punch to the gut, but one I hadn’t heard of until now. Even without the knowledge of lyrics or inspiration behind the song, Conan’s voice alone immediately had me bawling my eyes out.
A slew of songs from Conan’s latest album, Found Heaven, were up next. “Found Heaven”, “Boys & Girls”, “Lonely Dancers”, and “Winner” were a delight to my ears. An immediate throwback to songs of the 80’s, I had no choice but to enjoy each new song that blessed my ears. With each album released, you can clearly see Conan’s growth as he experiences life and all it has to offer.
“Heather” and “Memories” were the last songs of the night. An obvious classic, Conan did not disappoint when it came to delivering emotion with these ballads. His voice was an immediate soother, washing all of my troubles away with heavenly backing vocals and a powerful chorus. The last last songs of the night were an encore that consisted of “Bourgeoisieses”, “Maniac”, and “Alley Rose.” Despite the trillions of melancholic songs in Conan’s roster, the concert ended on a happy note. This encore’s trio of songs consisted of upbeat instrumentals that would produce a dance move from even the grumpiest of dads forced to attend by their teenage daughters.
Throughout the entire concert, Conan constantly interacts with the crowd, even having little inside jokes and references to past concerts. It really makes the fanbase feel like a family. Everyone gathers close to hold each other during the emotional songs, and scream our hearts out during the even more emotional songs. Normally I find myself more in the metal scene when it comes to concerts, and everyone agrees that they’re respectful and welcoming, but this felt like a real welcome. The whole duration of Conan’s performance felt like a warm hug from a loving family member.
I strongly recommend revisiting Conan Gray if you haven’t already. Or visit him if you’ve never cracked open his discography. There’s something for everyone. Doing so has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in 2024. Not to be dramatic, but this concert healed a part of me. Even if it was a small part, I feel happier now despite it all. Even if you don’t love Conan, get out there and visit your favorite artist or band. It might change your life.
Never in a million years did I think that I would see Kenzie Ziegler live in concert. But also never in a million years did I think I would also meet the woman herself. An amazing dancer starring on shows such as Dancing With the Stars Juniors turned into an amazing singer, Kenzie’s first leg of her tour opening for artist Mark Ambor was in Philadelphia, PA. The prospect of seeing someone I’ve watched since I was merely 6 years old, just 37 miles north of WVUD’s headquarters left me beyond excited.
Right on South Street in the middle of Philadelphia, many anticipatory fans lined the sidewalk waiting to be let in. The Theatre of Living Arts, while a small venue puts what it lacks in size into the intimacy of the concert. Everything is in the pit, only allowing 800 guests in the entire venue. I got there just before the doors opened and settled into a nice spot by the barricade; I was pretty much on the stage.
Kenzie was a showstopper; she was gorgeous and an amazing voice accompanied it. She started with “biting my tongue”, sounding much better live than I imagined. Her vocals accompanied by her live band set the venue on fire. A beautiful softer melody accompanied by a rough and hard guitar line made this a fantastic opener. She also performed more popular songs such as “paper” and “anatomy” which turned out to be my favorites of the night. You could tell she connected to the songs wholeheartedly; the words she wrote reflected her feelings and she portrayed that perfectly to the audience. I got some great pictures of her and her band despite the tallest man I’ve ever seen was next to me. The set ended after 30 minutes to the dismay of me and many others, but my night was just getting started.
After the concert, I got to meet her which was such a surreal experience. She ended her set with “If anyone wants to meet me, I’ll be at the merch table!” I didn’t know if I had to have some sort of special pass or if she was only meeting a certain number of people, but I knew I wasn’t going to let this opportunity go to waste. After waiting in line behind about 20 hopefuls, I finally met her. She was even more gorgeous in person, and I showed her my favorite picture I took of her before asking for one myself. I was so giddy leaving the venue that you would’ve thought I had 20 Pixie Sticks.
The amazing opportunity to not only get photos but also experience the beautiful live music she put on really made my week. From someone I grew up watching to someone who I saw perform live, it really gave me that amazing “full circle” feeling.
My sister, Casey, loves to share with me her system testing playlists when she’s touring with bands. This is the part where I’d like to brag but alas, I shall refrain from such touting. The perfect crossroads between her industry and, well, the one I take great amusement in writing about, is the music used to test the audio systems in cars.
Manufacturers tend to outsource the manufacturing of its premium sound systems to companies that specialize in that field. Companies like Alpine, Bose, JBL, and Harman Kardon have their products featured in a multitude of vehicles to give occupants a cocoon of sound. Our cars are some of the best ways to experience music because of how many speakers there are, as well as the way the sound can be distributed throughout the cabin.
While we all have our favorite songs to blast, and think we know what sounds the best in our cars, there’s actually a playlist that different audio companies use to test the systems that are in vehicles.
On the opposite end of the industry, the folks that make the music are keeping in mind the best way everybody listens outside of a good set of headphones. Rick Rubin, a producer who has worked with everyone from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Tom Petty. While he was working with Tom Petty on his album, Wildflowers, they utilized the stereo of a rented Toyota to make the final adjustments to the record.
“We would bring cassette tapes from the studio out and listen in the car. We would obviously work on them and mix in the studio and it would sound great in the studio, but if it didn’t sound good in the car, then it didn’t matter. That was the final test. It was the car.”
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