Moontower in Texas

This spring I had the opportunity to join Moontower for a few dates on their run opening for The Technicolors.

Sometimes the greatest opportunities come into your life when you least expect them. Before this tour, I had been familiar with Moontower, but still a relatively new fan, now they have a fan and friend for life.

Even with this tour being super last minute, everything seemed to fall perfectly into place to allow me to tag along for three dates in Texas. I had an absolute blast seeing their live show and meeting some of their most dedicated fans.

If you aren’t already listening to Moontower, you need to be. I know without a doubt that these guys are going to be massive. The band, and their team, could not deserve success more. I can’t wait to work with them again in the future.

Check out a few of my favorite shots below!

- Marissa


Blackbear at ACL Live

After listening to him for years, I finally had the opportunity to see Blackbear live and photograph the Dead to the World Tour in Austin, TX.

As soon as the first few singles from Blackbear’s latest album, Anonymous, dropped, I knew I had to see them live. Once the tour was announced, I bought tickets the second they went on sale and waited impatiently for my first Blackbear show.

The first opener, Gashi, was fun and full of energy, but maybe just not my style. The performance was all over the place and it was unclear at first who was actually the performer. However, it seemed as though he was pretty new to touring, so with time I’m sure he’ll put together a great show, there was definitely potential for him to be a great live performer.

Next up was Elohim. I had heard a lot about her from friends, but was very unfamiliar with her music before the show. I was completely mesmerized by her from the beginning. Her setup was fairly simple, but she commanded the stage and had everyone hooked on her unique electronic-pop tracks. I really enjoyed her set and continue to listen to her now, I’ll definitely be out at her next show in town.

When Blackbear came on stage, for a second I honestly forgot that I was supposed to be photographing the show. I was so engrossed in the performance and the elaborate production. It was very obvious that Blackbear is completely in his element on stage, he commanded the audience with every passing second, the crowd singing each lyric so loudly that you could barely hear him.

One thing that I really enjoyed about Blackbear’s set in particular was the setlist. He played the perfect mixture of old songs and tracks from the new album, and even mixed several songs together in order for everyone to hear even just a few little snippets of their old favorites. I think that this was the perfect way to please everyone and introduce listeners to the new music that they might not know as well while still allowing them to feel like they were a part of the show by singing along to the songs they’ve known for years.

I’m sad that it took me this long to be able to see Blackbear live, but after this tour, I definitely know I won’t be missing his live show again!

-Marissa

The Japanese House at Scoot Inn

Last night I got the chance to see one of my favorite artists at a sold-out show in Austin. 

 The first time I heard The Japanese House was in 2016 when they opened for The 1975. I was captivated immediately by the androgyny of Amber’s voice and the complete effortlessness of her performance. 

Since then, I’ve followed every release and seen as many shows as I could, The Japanese House has become a staple in every playlist, and my go-to on the days when all I want is to unwind. 

To start the show, Art School Girlfriend was the perfect artist to set the tone for the evening . After a day full of rain and heat, the crowd was a tough one to win over and Art School Girlfriend did just that. 

 The main draw to The Japanese House, for me anyway, is their lyrics. I am enamored by Amber’s ability to share her life in a way that is poetic, genius,  and undeniably genuine. I was glad to see that the set was simple, no flashy lights or grand production, the focus was one hundred percent on the music. 

One moment that really stood out to me was when they performed Lilo (one of my favorite songs not just on the album, but of all time) and Amber became really emotional, struggling to even finish the song. This completely transparent vulnerability made the show feel even more intimate, and in a way, further connected Amber with the audience.  

This was beyond any doubt one of my favorite shows of the year, I’m already looking forward to when I can see The Japanese House in Austin again.  

If you have a chance to check out this show, take it, you’ll be a part of something truly magical.  

- Marissa

Take a look at the gallery below! 

 

Léon at Antone’s

This week, Swedish artist Léon brought the You and I tour to Antone’s in Austin, TX with support from Morgan Saint. 

My favorite thing in the world is discovering new artists by showing up and hearing them live, it’s made even better when i find artists that I instantly fall for, something that definitely happened when I saw Morgan Saint and Léon. 

When Morgan Saint came onto the stage for her performance I immediately knew that I was in for something special. Right off the bat she made it clear that it was her stage and demanded attention in the most spectacular way.

Each new song was more captivating as the set went on, everyone around me was just as in love with the performance as I was. I cannot speak enough on how beautiful of a performer Morgan Saint is, she sings every song with such conviction, and makes everyone in the room feel like it’s just them and her, singled out, so intense and intimate it feels like it’ll slip away if you stop looking for even a second. 

After an amazing set from Morgan, I was even more excited to hear Léon.  From the second she came on stage the crowd was screaming, so loud you could barely hear the music, and Léon couldn’t have looked happier to be there. 

Léon’s performance was a perfect pop dream in a setting that almost felt like we were just listening to a friend in our living room. I had a blast dancing around in the front row, singing along to a few songs by the end. 

My favorite part of the whole performance was how intently Léon interacted with the crowd. She knew how much her songs meant to everyone there, and made sure that everyone felt appreciated and welcomed. During the first song, she even knelt down and held the hand of the girl next to me for an entire verse, clearly making this fan’s night. Those moments in shows are very rare and the ones that I remember most. 

If you have the opportunity to catch Léon and Morgan Saint this tour, don’t miss out, I know I’ll be there the next time they come to town.   

Check out the gallery below!  

- Marissa 

Overstreet and Lostboycrow in Texas

This week, Lostboycrow finally came back to Texas on the Pressure Tour with Overstreet and The Score.  

 To kick off a show, you couldn’t ask for a better band than Overstreet. Even during their soundcheck I found it hard to keep from dancing.

Lead singer Chord Overstreet is no stranger to the spotlight and is totally comfortable commanding the stage, and the rest of the band completely meets that same level of stage presence, all on the same page and talent for days (also we love love love a female drummer can I get an amen?). The crowds loved every second of their performance, everyone was full of energy and singing along by the end of each song. You’ll catch me jamming to their newest song All Nighter and their cover of Sex on Fire for a WHILE. 

When I say this is the best era of Lostboycrow, I’m not playing around. I’ve been a fan for a while now and I’ve never seen them look so in their element.

With the addition of Cole, Boaz, and Tim to the band, everything just feels completely right. Their setlist perfectly encompasses everything that I love so much about the new album Santa Fe, and gives new listeners a perfect taste of what makes them so special. Chris is so engaging with the crowd that it’s almost magnetic, you don’t just want to pay attention, you HAVE to. I fall more and more in love with this band every time I get the opportunity to see them live, I know that we’re going to be seeing a lot more of them this year.

I wouldn’t miss Overstreet or Lostboycrow the next time they’re in your city, you just might meet your new favorite band. 

 Check out the gallery below with some bonus fun portraits of Lostboycrow!

- Marissa