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  • Let Me Tell You About Homestuck (Animated)

    Let Me Tell You About Homestuck (Animated)

    Pre-2014 Tumblr, some of the earliest and most vocal fans of the webcomic Homestuck, would have exploded in joy at this news. Over 15 years since its debut, fans are more divided.

    On August 9, 2025, the internet let out a collective noise of confusion at the announcement of Vivziepopโ€™s new studio Spindleroo adapting the Sisyphean behemoth. One commenter went so far as to congratulate the team on taking on โ€œa 500 episode seriesโ€.

    It is an ambitious way to start a new studio to be sure. Vivziepopโ€™s long-standing career as an animator impresario can hardly be understated, coming to some notoriety with a 2012 animated music video to Ke$haโ€™s โ€œDie Youngโ€. She exploded in popularity with the twin successes of Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss in 2019, the former of which was picked up for a full series by A24 and released on Prime Video while the latter became a YouTube powerhouse. Seeing them take on Homestuck, however, some fans worried that something may be lost in adaptation or diluted by the Vivziepop art style, even if the teams involved seem to be working extremely close together. Toby Fox himself, formerly a major contributor to Homestuck and critically-acclaimed creator of the Undertale franchise, is voicing main character John Egbert. 

    Once called The Ulysses of the Internet, Andrew Hussieโ€™s long-running yarn about a boy and his friends playing an apocalyptic game was, at its height, unlike anything else online. Even calling it a webcomic is a little reductive, as its multi-media storytelling is unmatched in its variety and complexity. It includes, or included, volumes of still images, animated GIFs, short animated films, hours of music, walls of text, Adobe Flash games, separate semi-fan works of various degrees of canon, printed volumes and so much more. Styled like an isometric Sierra adventure game and initially written with the whims of a now-defunct forum guiding portions of the story, Homestuck was able to pull in a wide fanbase with its off-beat and thoroughly late-00โ€™s energy. There is plenty to look forward to as the trailer shows many scenes dynamically re-imagined from the first two acts of the comic, but will it live up to expectations? I guess we will have to just click [S] ==> to find out.* 

    Nearly a decade since the comic said โ€œThe End,โ€ there have been a number of strange attempts by Andrew Hussie and associates to sequelize the comic or continue the brand. From the bizarre Meat or Candy epilogue to the fan-made but loosely canon Homestuck 2 and the critically acclaimed but perilously developed Hiveswap series of video games, efforts to keep Homestuck alive have been historically divisive but persisted nonetheless. Each one of these efforts were met with some kind of delay or backlash, causing historic rifts in a fandom for what was once such a fervently loved property. With the death of Flash in 2020, much of the original comic itself is now unreadable, causing atrophy to set in – a process that sped up with the takedown of The Unofficial Homestuck Collection, a fan-based effort to preserve the comic as originally published.

    No firm date has been set for the release of โ€œHomestuck the Animated Pilot,โ€ but rest assured, as soon as it does, you can read more about it on The In-Crowd.

    In the meantime, check out the full trailer below:

    *Editor’s Note: [S]==> was the signal to readers of the comic that the next page had sound.

  • OP-ED: Ghost “Skeletour” Brings True Darkness to Venues

    OP-ED: Ghost “Skeletour” Brings True Darkness to Venues

    While our intrepid editor in chief here at The In-Crowd was valiantly covering Lollapalooza this year, a secondary event also caught our eye that was worth reporting on. J. M. Knoell, our photo editor, was on the scene in Rosemont on August 1, but uncharacteristically lacking in photographs to publish.

    Ghost is a band that needs little in the way of introduction if you are already in the right circles. Their combination of dark metal influences, spiritual overtones, theatricality, and embrace of the camp elements in alternative scenes sets them apart from any artist one might call a contemporary. Perhaps my favorite description of Ghostโ€™s sound is โ€œScooby-Doo Metal“, but that hardly does the act justice. I like to think of them as what happens if Judas Priest ate REM. Often controversial, probably blasphemous, Ghost does their show in the way the moms of the Satanic Panic would be vaporized by. They do not perform songs, they perform rituals. 

    Dramatic language aside, Ghost is a unique act worth experiencing. Allstate Arena was already surrounded by a sea of cars when we arrived, managed by a robust and well-seasoned group of staff. This was very necessary, as the venue pushed against its occupant capacity and cars were creatively cordoned off into improvised subdivisions in the wider areas of the lot. Once inside the sports stadium, however, we were greeted by the usual security and the unusual measure placed for this show: all phones were to be placed in a tamper-proof security bag that could only be opened by venue staff wielding industrial magnets. No videos, photos, or recordings could be taken. 

    Hurrying to our seats, the opening of โ€œPeacefieldโ€ began to be played from behind a gigantic black curtain. White light spilled out from within, beckoning in the audience until, with a mighty crack of pyrotechnics, the curtain fell. The revealed stage had a raised semicircle of platforms, on which the drummer, keyboards, and backing vocalists were stationed, as well as several strategically placed special effects boxes. The main concourse would be wandered and surveyed like predators by the guitarists and front man, the way He intended. 

    The Skeletour is a world tour that is in support of Ghostโ€™s most recent album, Skeletรก, and introduces front man Tobias Forgeโ€™s most recent persona, Papa V Perpetua, who is styled in purple and black papal robes, complete with silver scapulae and a spinal column that concludes in a pointed tail, and corpse paint. While the characterization of this imposing figure still appears to be in flux, the performing of several hits were heightened by Ghost’s unwavering dedication to stage craft. The stage was dominated by a lighting rig above the performers heads that formed the shape of an upside down Catholic cross that would change elevation and color as scenes called. โ€œCall Me Little Sunshineโ€ featured Perpetua suspended by wire behind the drum kit in an impossibly long robe while the displays showed a kaleidoscopic montage of the Papaโ€™s face. 

    After a scene change marked by another pop of pyrotechnics and a blackout, the next song, โ€œThe Future Is A Foreign Landโ€ was introduced by Forge with a message of hope, acknowledging that outside the walls of this spell, the world is going through tumultuous times. Being reminded of the world outside reminded me that everybodyโ€™s phone is locked up, which caused me to look over the crowd and it struck me for the first time that no one was recording this. This moment that everybody is connected by is being done in a true darkness, the likes of which has not been seen since the wide adoption of cellphones at the beginning of the new millennium. When the stage goes dark next, so does the rest of the venue, with the occasional light up bracelet, which seems to be mimicking the advent of the K-pop light stick provided by the merchandise table, piercing the inky void. To see a stadium with not a single cell phone light go completely dark like this is an experience I can only describe as holy. Real reverence is achieved for the artists because no one is distracted by a little magic rectangle. I honestly wish more bands and artists would do this. 

    The stage craft and projections continued to be as lavish throughout the performance, at one point building stained glass windows to the tune of โ€œHe Is,โ€ but nothing could have prepared me for the transition from the angelic and praising to the intentional tonal whiplash of projecting the fiery lakes of Hell during โ€œRatsโ€. The aforementioned special effects boxes spewed jets of yellow flame to intensify the visuals that were so hot it could be felt on the second-story balcony where I was sitting. I can only imagine how that must feel on stage in the full-body costumes of the Unnamed Ghouls, whether they were the more minimalist body stocking of the backup vocalists or the more enclosed faux-suits of the guitarists. No matter what, though, a spectacle was made. 

    Nearing the end, the performance of โ€œMummy Dustโ€ saw confetti cannons shot off, distributing personalized $666 dollar bills with Tobias Forgeโ€™s face on them, which quickly became cherished souvenirs for concert goers in the closest pits. As the show began to wind down towards its encores, the front man went on extended speeches about the fine work done by the stage crew and venue staff, as well they should be thanked. This show, as described by one person I talked to, is not a concert, it is a stage play with music as its backbone, and it lives or dies by its crew.

    It was also pointed out that one of the guitarists had injured his foot and had performed the whole show in a medical boot after โ€œkicking too many asses.โ€ Descriptions rarely come so perfectly formed, so I will conclude that this show kicked so much ass, injuries to the kicker were a serious possibility.ย 

    Tickets are still available for the remaining North American stops in The Skeletour, but it will come to an end on September 25th.

  • ATEEZ brings the โ€œFantasyโ€ to Wrigley Field

    ATEEZ brings the โ€œFantasyโ€ to Wrigley Field

    In the midst of a scorching Chicago summer, ATEEZ still found a way to up the heat.

    On July 26, the eight-member K-Pop phenomenon brought their ATEEZ 2025 WORLD TOUR [IN YOUR FANTASY] to the one-and-only Wrigley Field. This iconic ballpark has hosted thousands of events, including but certainly not limited to Stray Kids <dominATE> World Tour exactly one month prior on June 26.

    No matter the venue, If you ask me, where you sit shouldn’t make or break your experience. Sat in section 12, I had a far but direct view of the stage, which was primo in several ways. While I was far away, I could still see the members to some extent without the necessity of the giant screens that flanked the stage. The main downside to someone sitting in my section, unfortunately, was the protective netting that surrounds it. This absolutely makes sense for a baseball field, but it unfortunately offers a somewhat obstructed view for what are otherwise some of the best seats in the house. That being said, if only to come back with better photos, I’ll definitely look into balcony or floor seats for my next visit to Wrigley Field.

    Not even netting built to prevent getting beaned with a baseball could ruin this view!

    ATEEZ released their most recent album Golden Hour: Part 3: In Your Fantasy Edition, a repackage of the EP they released on June 13, on July 11. This very tour kicked off in Tacoma, WA less than a month later on July 30. I’ve long suspected that ATEEZ doesn’t sleep, and that impression was not helped by this tight release schedule. However, there was nothing sleepy about this concert. Their hard work and passion was, as always, nothing short of incredible. While there was a vocal backing track present during the songs, it felt more like an enhancement than a crutch. Their microphones were still obviously on, and some of the most satisfying moments came whenever a member would pull the mic away just so show off that fact.

    They opened their set with back-to-back bangers, kicking things off with “BOUNCY (K-Hot Chili Peppers)” and “Fireworks (I’m the One)”. The crowd was already buzzing when ATEEZ music videos started playing on the screens ahead of the concert, but Wrigley Field all but exploded when the members finally emerged with their electric stage presence and infectious energy. Even so, nothing could’ve prepared fans for the live show that was to come.

    Pictured (from left): San, Mingi and Hongjoong during “Fireworks (I’m the One)”.

    If ATINYโ€™s fantasy is one of the most suggestive stadium shows Iโ€™ve ever witnessed, this fandom got it in spades. Each of the groupโ€™s eight members had a solo performance, and many of them pulsed with barely-contained sexuality. Seonghwa ended his performance of โ€œSkinโ€ wearing scraps of fabric masquerading as a cropped halter top, the hands of backup dancers curled around his throat and an expression of post-coital bliss. Mingiโ€™s โ€œROARโ€ blasted โ€œpresumptuous critics and self-righteous moralistsโ€ with a combination of unmasked aggression and dominance, leading the crowd in barks more than once. The suggestive choreography of San’s “Creep” and the subtly seductive “Slide to Me” by Yunho weren’t nearly as aggressive, but every bit as enticing.

    This is to say nothing of the group performances, which also had many fans locked in a display of sexual dominance. Sat at a long table covered by a red tablecloth, “Man On Fire” established the power dynamic early on. Every expression and movement, whether it was San dragging his fingers over the table’s surface or Seonghwa slowly pulling his thumb across his bottom lip, painted a picture of “unstoppable desire”. Even when they were thrown in cages for โ€œOutlawโ€, every one of their expressions exuded danger. The imagery didnโ€™t code them as prisoners so much as feral animals, and god help everyone when they were unleashed.

    Seonghwa shows more than just “Skin” during his solo performance.

    However, not every moment of the show was tailor-made to turn you on. Hongjoong turned the stadium into a rave for โ€œNO.1โ€, complete with a live DJ set leading in and proving there really isnโ€™t anything he canโ€™t do. Jonghoโ€™s performance of โ€œTo Be Your Lightโ€ was nothing less than a showcase of his stunning vocal prowess, technique and passion. Fan-favorite ballad “Turbulence” gave ATINY a chance to breathe with its slower tempo and heartfelt lyrics about making it through life’s difficulties.

    Most of the setlist was made up of songs from the new album, which released just over two weeks before the concert, which isn’t a lot of time to get to know the material no matter how excellent. Luckily, there were still better-known tracks in the mix. Yeosang’s enigmatic solo led directly into “Guerrilla” with a flare held high above his head. If there’s anything ATEEZ can count on ATINY for, it’s their readiness when it comes time to “break the wall”. Later in the set, “WORK” and “Ice on My Teeth” were performed back-to-back with unmatched swagger and style. Naturally, the main set ended with the title track from their most recent album: “In Your Fantasy”.

    Seonghwa flexes uninhibited confidence and his muscles during “Lemon Drop”.

    I’m going to say it: “In Your Fantasy” is the hottest K-Pop track to come out since VIXX released “Chained Up” back in 2015. Less than one month prior, ATEEZ released “Lemon Drop”, and the two back-to-back singles feel intentionally diametrically opposed. “Lemon Drop” is a club-ready summer jam that got ATINY sweating. Meanwhile, “In Your Fantasy” takes fans somewhere much more salacious. The track, which is entirely in English, lets you know what it is from the first words that come from Yunho’s mouth: “I know what you into/baby got a type.” But the lyrics immediately heat up from there: “I could be gentle/but that ain’t what you like”.

    The wordplay on this track is just top tier, from the way Hongjoong utilizes the homonym “rush” on the second verse to Mingi wrapping things up by rhyming “lose it for ” with “Lucifer”. Speaking of Mingi, his rap delivery on this track is nothing short of malevolent. It’s wicked how he spits lines like “Good girl, now you’re not so sure” and “Oh honey, I ain’t your savior”.

    Both “Lemon Drop” and “In Your Fantasy” spent a week on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 69 and 68 respectively, and that didn’t go unacknowledged. Right at the end of the show, Hongjoong thanked the entire crowd for helping with that achievement. The only thing that may be more impressive than ATEEZ’s stage craft, coordination and sheer talent is the love and appreciation they have for their fans. Especially coming from a smaller company like KQ Entertainment, they’ve come a long way from when Hongjoong was recording guide tracks in a car.

    ATEEZ’s captain Hongjoong shares heartfelt words with beloved ATINY.

    As if all that wasn’t enough to keep ATINY satisfied, they performed not one but two encores. The first began with a medley of “Say My Name/THANXX/TO THE BEAT/Good Lil Boy/Crazy Form”, keeping up the momentum set by the main set. After a heartfelt performance of “Now this house ain’t a home” and “Enough”, ATEEZ sent fans home on a high note with “The Real”.

    One last blast of confetti and a fireworks display later, Jongho bid us good night with a statement that amounted to: “Okay, for real this time, go home”.

    Before Jongho’s message, Mingi raised a triumphant fist beneath a shower of fireworks.

    I’ve always said the best argument for being a fan of ATEEZ, if not a full-blown ATINY, is their live show. At Wrigley Field, they continued to prove me right with their hottest concert yet.

    If you’d like to catch ATEEZ on tour, remaining dates and tickets can be found here.

    All photos were taken by Penny Rae Hawkins and edited by Jonathan Knoell.

  • Beauty School Dropout talk new single, making of their debut album and fan support

    Beauty School Dropout talk new single, making of their debut album and fan support

    Beauty School Dropout is gearing up for a jam packed and exciting second half of 2025.

    The L.A. based rock group are currently on the Idobi Summer School Tour, just dropped their newest single โ€œSex Appealโ€ and announced their debut album WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? . The band is also scheduled to hit the stage at Vanโ€™s Warped Tour Long Beach and Orlando, and are hitting the road with Blink-182, Alkaline Trio and letlive. Needless to say, the group is just getting started.ย 

    Music Manager Alicia Kobasic and Social Media Manager Skylar Bridgeforth spoke with the band about their new album, upcoming shows, musical inspirations and more. You can check out their conversation with Beauty School Dropout below.ย 

    photo credit: Natasha Austrich

    Congrats on the new single โ€œSEX APPEALโ€!  This is the third single off of your upcoming album WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? How do you feel this song encapsulates the overall sound and theme of the album? 

    “Sex Appeal” is an exciting leap for us in a new direction that we havenโ€™t quite tapped into in the past. Itโ€™s a bit slower, sexier and moodier all around. I think of it like a little taste of one of the albumโ€™s many personalities, which is a fun way for us to tease whatโ€™s coming next while getting a gauge of how people might receive this side of us.

    Did you have any specific inspirations or concepts you wanted to make sure portrayed in the music video for โ€œSEX APPEALโ€ ? 

    Mostly the tumblr era. That was my escapism as a teenager so I wanted to create something for my younger self to be inspired by. I grew up working as a PA on cinematic photography sets from the age of 13 and was always inspired by films like Drive, A Place Beyond the Pines, Enter the Void, etc.ย 

    You worked with Neal Avron on your album. He has worked with amazing bands like Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, and Twenty One Pilots. What was that experience like? Did you learn anything that you plan to take with you as you work on future projects? 

    Working with Neal Avron was an absolute dream. If there is one thing that we learned, it is patience. He really emphasized the importance of finding unique tones and performing the best takes possible, as raw as possible. I know that sounds obvious, but everything is so easy to manicure in the DAW now that sometimes itโ€™s easier to get an okay take and chop it into something โ€œbetterโ€ than getting something that is singularly amazing. That is a part of the process I think  we will take with us into all our future works.

    When you went in to start working on the album, was there anything you did differently or wanted to change from when you made WE MADE PLANS AND GOD LAUGHED and READY TO EAT?

    We were pretty deliberate in taking our time. The last two projectsย we had rushed to the finish line while we were on the road or in between all the obstacles of getting this bandย  off the ground. This time we made absolutely sure that our only focus from the inception of the album to its final masters was that we were focusing on this project and nothing else. It allowed us to be a lot more concise about our creative decision making/songwriting and I believe that will translate when you get to hear this album in full.

    Who or what was your biggest inspiration for WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? Did any of the bands or artists you grew up listening to or currently listen to influence the record?

    We had many inspos for this album, but even more so than sonically we took the approach of looking at groups that built a world with their sound. Bands like The Killers, Depeche Mode, Deftones, where even if you donโ€™t know many of their songs you can identify them by their sound alone. We wanted to land on something that people might consider BSDโ€™s Staple sound.

    You guys have a full touring schedule for the year with Warped Tour, Idobi Summer School Tour, tour dates with Blink-182 and Letlive. How excited are you guys for the live shows?ย 

    The live show is what we live for. One of the hardest parts of making this album was committing to staying in the studio the whole time, but now that we are back on the road we are ecstatic to get to breathe life into these songs again.

    What songs are you most excited to play live during your upcoming shows?

    All of them.

    What songs on WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? Are you most excited for the fans to hear? Are there any songs that you think will surprise fans? 

    Again, all of them. This album is meant to be experienced in full. There are so many personalities and new sonics that we have never touched before Iโ€™m confident there are going to be a group of songs people will be surprised by but if I had to pick the 3 biggest ones it’s probably “Madonna”, “Daddy Donโ€™t Cry” and the title track off the album.ย 

    The support of your fans is incredible. What does having the support online and at the shows mean to you? Are there any fan interactions that stand out in particular? 

    It means everything to us. We would be nothing without our fans. Itโ€™s becoming more and more common that we hear these stories about how our music has helped people get out of their darkest times and โ€œsaved their livesโ€. That is what this stuff is about you know? I think music saved us all from ourselves one way or another. Being able to give that back to our fans is one of the most rewarding feelings there is.

    You have collaborated with many artists from Mark Hoppus,  Mod Sun, and jxdn. If you could collaborate with any band or artist, who would be your dream collab? 

    The list goes on but to keep it short: Turnstile, 2hollis, Skrillex, and letlive.

    When people listen to WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? what do you hope people feel or take away from the album after their first listen or after they have listened to it a few times?ย 

    This album as a whole is meant to be the sonic representation of what it feels like to fall in love and have your heart broken. Every bit exciting as it is painful. I hope people feel seen and heard by its honesty.  

    Anything else you would like to add or shout out? 

    Shout out to all the dropouts. We love you guys so much and canโ€™t wait to watch how this community blossoms. โค

    You can stream Beauty School Dropout on all major streaming platforms. WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTEFLIES GO? is out on September 5. You can pre-order the album now on their official website.  

  • From amazing to unforgettable: ranking every set I saw at Warped Tour D.C.

    From amazing to unforgettable: ranking every set I saw at Warped Tour D.C.

    I was lucky enough to attend the very first weekend of the new revamped Vans Warped Tour in Washington D.C. It was two days full of non-stop music from both Warped Tour veterans and rookies. 

    With six stages and a totally stacked line-up, trying to see every artist you want to see is impossible. So, even though you have a list of every band you want to see, you are going to have to make some cuts once you get there and see the schedule. That may include only watching half of some sets, or prioritizing acts you havenโ€™t seen before or haven’t seen in a while.  

    I definitely had to make some hard cuts while deciding my plan for each day of Warped Tour, especially on Sunday. That day in particular had so many bands I wanted to see. Letโ€™s just say, I didnโ€™t have many breaks. 

    Check out my ranking of every set I saw at Warped Tour D.C. Now, keep in mind every set I saw was fantastic. Not one disappointed me. This was a hard ranking and it is based on my weekend as a whole. I would recommend you go see any of the artists on this list. 

    HONORABLE MENTIONS

    The first honorable mention is Sueco. We had plans to watch the majority of his set but we only ended up watching the intro and about two songs. We left earlier than we planned to go get in line for Scene Queenโ€™s signing that was scheduled to happen shortly after his set. And good thing we left when we did because the line ended up getting extremely long and may have not been able to get in if we waited until the end of his set. His intro of being brought on stage in a coffin was so sick and he sounded great from what we did hear.

    The next honorable mention is Memphis Mayfire. They played while we were waiting for Yung Gravy. I listened in and sort of paid attention. However, the rain and trying to find a position that caused my feet to not be in pain caused me to fully take in their set. What I did take in was great. They have been around forever and are definitely Warped veterans.

    16. RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus were not a band set in any means. I just got to the set late and the only song I knew was โ€œFace Downโ€ which I screamed at the top of my lungs. I just did not know enough of the set to rank it higher. 

    15. YUNG GRAVY

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    When I saw Yung Gravy on the line-up I was a little shocked. I definitely did not feel like he fit the vibe of the rest of the acts playing the weekend. But I decided to check out his set. We caught about half of his set in the rain Sunday night before heading out to get a good spot for the last act of the weekend. He had good energy and I knew most of the songs. I was overall just not totally into his set and the biggest fan of his music.

    14. MILLIONAIRES

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    Another Warped Tour veteran group, Millionaires kicked off my Sunday. Their set was fun and had me starting off my day dancing and singing along. I did not know the majority of their songs, which knocked them down some spots on my ranking. However, I did have fun and got my blood flowing for the jam packed day. I however was not fully awake and was still getting my game plan for the day during the performance. So, I couldnโ€™t rank them higher. However, I would check out a future set of theirs and be fully invested. 

    13. CARTEL

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    Now, Cartel has been around forever but I was not familiar with them until they were on the line-up. I had heard of the name and had heard a song here and there, but did not do a deep dive until I was preparing for Warped Tour. Donโ€™t hate me, I was late to the emo scene okay. I listened to their set while I was camping out for The Maine, and really enjoyed their set. I was jamming along and will definitely be listening to more of Cartelโ€™s music.

    12. RAIN CITY DRIVE

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    This was the first set we actually watched of the weekend. We sat down and were waiting for Fever 333 and Rain City Drive was playing on the stage before them. They sounded fantastic, and commanded the crowd. It seemed like many people knew their music and were excited to see them play. I enjoyed their set and am for sure looking forward to seeing them again on The Summer School Tour and getting more into their music. 

    11. NOTHING, NOWHERE

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    This was a bit of a last minute set for me. I was not quite sure if I was going to make it to his set, but I managed to make it fit into my schedule and was so excited. I wanted to see him when he was in Cleveland earlier this year, but did not manage to make it to the show. He sounded amazing, the crowd was huge, moshing, and crowd surfing. He commanded the stage and got my body moving and ready for the second half of the day. Even though the rain started to come down, that did not stop him. I definitely need to see him the next time he comes into town, because I went from a casual fan, to a full blown fan. 

    10. POINT NORTH

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    These guys were up right after Nothing, Nowhere and the rain was fully coming down. But that did not prevent this duo from killing it. Their energy was high from the moment they stepped foot on stage. People had the mosh pit moving and crowd surfers going. I knew a handful of songs and when they played โ€œInto The Darkโ€ I got transported back to college and blasting that song walking to class. I pulled the lyrics from the back of my mind. I had my poncho on and was headbanging and rocking out the whole time. And I met them earlier in the day and they were super sweet. So, that was also a bonus. More of their music is being added to my playlist as we speak. 

    9. SOPHIE POWERS

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    If you havenโ€™t checked out Sophie Powers, you might want to get on that. She mixes hyperpop and rock music to create her own unique sound. Her songs constantly get stuck in my head and are my go to for singing in the car, the shower, and anywhere I can. This was my third time seeing her, and she just keeps getting better. She is getting more comfortable on stage, and knows how to get the crowd going. Her set was so fun and I did not want it to end. Her crowd was smaller, but she had every single person with her and ready to have fun. When she played โ€œU Love Itโ€, โ€œObsessedโ€, and โ€œBetter On Muteโ€ I was screaming the lyrics. And she debuted her new song โ€œhead empty, no thoughtsโ€ which got me so excited for its release. I cannot wait to see what else she has she does and am ready to see her at a headline show. 

    8. HEART ATTACK MAN

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    You know I had to support my fellow Clevelanders. Heart Attack Man has been a band I have been following for years and to see their growth has been crazy. Whenever I have the chance to see them, I have to catch their set. They always kill it. Their classic pop punk energy is exactly what the crowd needs to get moving and ready for the day. And seeing how big of a crowd they got was crazy. It warmed my little Cleveland heart. I was dancing, doing the classic pop punk finger point as I sang, and just took it all in. Their energy screamed Warped Tour. Heart Attack Mans brings the classic pop punk sound, but makes it feel more modern. Which is exactly what this new version of Warped Tour is. It brings the classic Warped Tour energy, but makes it fit into 2025. If these guys arenโ€™t on your radar, definitely give them a listen. 

    7. MAGNOLIA PARK

    Photo Credit: Magnolia Park

    Magnolia Park closed out the Arrow Stage Saturday night and they always kill it. The minute they walk on stage they are calling for a circle pit and donโ€™t let anyone stand still. They played โ€œOmenโ€, โ€œAnimalโ€, and โ€œMisfitโ€ which are some of my favorites. The drums, guitar riffs, and screams all sounded amazing. I just saw these guys play a sold out show in Cleveland so not getting the perfect view and missing the end of their set was alright. But if you get the chance to see them at Long Beach or Orlando Warped stops, definitely check them out. 

    6. ICE NINE KILLS

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    This band has been on my bucket list to see for a while. So, when they were announced to be playing I knew I had to make it to their set. Now, I do not know all their songs, but seeing clips of their shows online, I knew it would be a crazy set. And they definitely did not disappoint. Seeing all the theatrics with the vocals, actors, and effects was so cool to see; and I am not even a horror movie fan. I just got to chill in the back and observe the whole set and take it all in. It was cool to see all the longtime fans get into the set and sing along to all their lyrics. As someone who is usually a dedicated fan, I donโ€™t often get to observe, so that was definitely fun to be on the other side. Plus, their set was different from the others I saw, so it deserves this high spot on my ranking. 

    5. STATE CHAMPS

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    I couldnโ€™t go to Warped Tour and not see State Champs. I have been a fan of this band for almost 10 years and they never disappoint. Everytime I see them, they always kill it. I jam out to all of the 2010โ€™s pop punk classics like โ€œElevatedโ€ and โ€œAll You Are Is Historyโ€ and their newer songs like โ€œSilver Cloudโ€ and โ€œEverybody But Youโ€. State Champs was also the very first band I saw play at the only Warped Tour I went to in 2018; so it was a no-brainer to bring it full circle and see them play the Warped Tour revival. Plus, they brought out Greg James from Boys Like Girls, so that was pretty cool. So, if you are looking for a solid, fun set at the next two weekends, add them to your list. 

    4. BOYS LIKE GIRLS

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    This set was all about nostalgia for me. I have never seen Boys Like Girls, and I was not going to miss them. Screaming along to โ€œThe Great Escapeโ€, โ€œLove Drunkโ€ , and โ€œTwo is Better Than Oneโ€ was a dream come true. Those songs were staples of my early teen years and are ingrained into my brain. Skylar and I stood towards the back of the VIP viewing area, danced like maniacs and sang our hearts out. Plus, they brought out Brendan Abernathy to play โ€œMarried In A Yearโ€ that had been going viral on Tiktok, then they played โ€œThe Great Escapeโ€ together. What a shocking guest to wrap up another bucket list set. 

    3. FEVER 333

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    If there was any set that was perfect to see this weekend, this was it. Not only because it was in Washington D.C., it was also the same weekend as Trumpโ€™s birthday and military parade. And if you are not familiar with Fever 333, their music is heavily focused around social and political issues the world is facing. Their set was the first full set of the weekend I watched and it got me raging in and psyched for the rest of the acts. Screaming along to every song let me release all my bent up anger surrounded by others who had the same anger. Plus, seeing Jason Butler climb up the speaker, rip off his shirt and run along the barricade was pretty cool. Their set exceeded my expectations and was the perfect start to my weekend. 

    2. THE MAINE

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    The Maine will always hold a special place in my heart. When I listen to their music, I am taken back to a time when I first heard the songs for the first time. In particular their albums American Candy, Lovely Little Lonely, and You Are OK. So, seeing their set was an emotional one for me. I snagged a spot on the barricade and probably lost my voice singing along to every song. They sang all my favorites like โ€œAm I Prettyโ€, โ€œLoved You A Littleโ€, โ€œTouchโ€ and โ€œBlack Butterflies and Deja Vuโ€.  I was locked in to their entire set and did not want it to end. They are a veteran act that are made for the Warped Tour stage.. Everyone in the audience was singing, dancing and was totally in the moment. I cannot wait to see them again. And I may have cried a little bit. Maybe I didnโ€™t. You will never know. 

    1. SCENE QUEEN

    Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic

    To be honest, I kind of knew she would be my number one from the start. Scene Queen was number one on my must-see sets of the weekend. And she definitely lived up to my expectations. It was the very last set of the weekend, and it was the perfect way to end it. There was something beautiful about the very last song played at Warped Tour being โ€œ18+โ€ and having a crowd of people scream about the scene taking advantage of young girls. Her set was cut short due to technical difficulties, but she packed in all the hits like โ€œPink Barbie Band-Aidโ€, โ€œPink Roverโ€, โ€œPink Pantherโ€ and โ€œFingerโ€. It was downpouring, people were crowd surfing, the twerkle pit was open, and the crowd was loud. Being barricade for one of my favorite artists was just what I needed to close the weekend. Plus, I met her earlier in the day and she is so sweet and a fellow North East Ohio native, so that is the cherry on top. 

    Every set was amazing and I got to see so many amazing bands, while also making some cuts. Trust me, there were so many other sets I wanted to see but could not fit into my schedule. It was tough to narrow it down to just these 16. 

    If you were also at Warped Tour D.C., let us know your favorite sets of the weekend. And if you are going to Long Beach or Orlando, let us know what sets you are most excited for. 

    Curious about my overall thoughts on the whole weekend? Check out my full review here.

  • Warped Tour Recap and Review 2025 (Washington, D.C.)

    Warped Tour Recap and Review 2025 (Washington, D.C.)

    Elder and new emos rejoice, Warped Tour is back! Well…kinda. 

    In case you missed it, Warped Tour is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has made its much-anticipated return. However, it is not back in the same capacity. Instead of a cross-country tour setting up one-day festivals in cities all summer long, it has taken a new approach. They are putting on a two-day festival in three separate locations: Washington D.C., Long Beach, California, and Orlando, Florida. 

    As your resident rock music expert who never left their emo phase, I had to check out the new and revamped Warped Tour. So, social media manager Skylar Bridgeforth and I made the journey from Cleveland, Ohio to Washington D.C. to attend the very first weekend. 

    Now, before we get into my overall experience, I want to give out some disclaimers. First, prior to this year, I have only ever been to one Warped Tour. I was a little late to the scene and was only able to go to the last full country run in 2018. So, my previous experience is limited. Also, I had the VIP package. So, I will be addressing my thoughts on if I feel VIP is worth it. Also, having that upgrade definitely affected my overall experience. 

    With those disclaimers in mind, letโ€™s get started.

    Overall, I had a positive experience at Warped Tour D.C. While this is not the same Warped Tour of the past and is structured like a multi-day festival, it did not feel like a festival. Walking around the festival, it seemed like the Warped Tour of the past. There were tents for all of the bands and labels, bands were doing their own meet & greets at their tents, everyone was dressed in all black, band tees, chains, eyeliner, converse and vans. Looking into the crowd, you see plenty of moshing, circle pits, and crowd surfing. 

    I would describe the overall energy of the crowd as a community. Whether it was their first Warped Tour or their twentieth, everyone was there for the same experience. The energy was high, and the feeling of being surrounded by thousands of people who are part of the scene that Warped Tour emerged from and understand one another is unmatched. I do not know how to describe it, the feeling and aura of the weekend was not like that of other music festivals I have been to. 

    Letโ€™s talk about the venue: the festival grounds at RFK Campus. It is not a huge space, which makes it very walkable. Getting from one area of the grounds to another did not take very long and made running to catch every set easier. The hardest part would just be navigating through crowds.

    However, there is no green space. It is all concrete, which is very hard on the body. My feet, in particular my heels, were in a lot of pain by the end of the two days. I was limping and trying to stand in any position to get any sort of relief by the end of each day. That also meant there was no comfy place to sit. In two of the VIP areas, there was some turf that provided some relief from the hard ground. However, it was limited. So, most of the weekend, if you wanted to sit, it was on hard ground. 

    As far as shade goes, there were not a whole lot of options. In two of the VIP areas, there was a bar area set up under a pavilion with tables, which provided some shade. There were some trees but, as far the main areas go, it did not seem like there were many options for shade. So, trying to escape the sun was not easy. 

    The biggest complaint for many would be the tiles they had set up on parts of the ground near the entrance. These giant tiles held water and any other liquid. When you walked on them, whatever was on them splashed back up on your legs. No one is quite sure what was flooding all over the tiles during the downpour on Sunday night, but it was gross and avoidable. No matter where you stepped, it ended with mystery liquid all over you. 

    A big positive was the stage organization and scheduling. The two biggest stages were the classic Vans Left and Right Foot stages. They were set up side by side with barricades separating the two crowds. The medium size stages were the Ghost and Beatbox stages. They were slightly smaller but still set up side by side with the gates separating the two crowds. The two small stages, The Arrow and Eagle Stages, were tucked back in the corner set up diagonal from each other. 

    The sets moved quickly. When a set was going on one stage, the stage next to it was getting set for the next act. So, there was maybe five minutes between one set ending and the next one beginning, and there were hardly any delays. Whatever time was listed on the posted schedule is what time the band started. That also meant, you had to be diligent on making it to you top must-see sets. You couldnโ€™t take your time walking from one stage to the next. 

    Everything on the grounds was packed tight. All the stages, vendors, tents, skate ramp, and more were all set up across the grounds. But, as I mentioned, the grounds were not big, so everything was close together. There werenโ€™t any clear walking paths. You had to navigate around lines for merch, people stopping to check out the different vendors, charity tents, food stands, or anything else. In certain areas, particularly near the back of the Right Foot Stage, traffic jams could occur. Some areas were a little less crowd dense but, overall, everything was packed. 

    What did not help the traffic by the Right Foot was the fact that there was where the blow up with the schedule was located. It was across the grounds from where you walked in at. So, that helped keep traffic moving at the entrance to not cause a clog of people as you were walking in. However, that meant many people gathering near one stage, especially early in the day. The key was to be patient, look for gaps in the crowd to make your way through, and to try and be strategic.

    Okay, letโ€™s talk about VIP. With VIP there were several perks you received, including separate security lanes, a wristband instead of a ticket to scan in, and access to air conditioned bathrooms instead of the normal porta potties. You were also able to pick up the official Warped Tour compilation CD and stickers. Many of the stages had their own lounge and viewing areas with a bar, food vendors and water refill stations. 

    The bathrooms alone were worth the price of VIP. Getting to walk into the air conditioning for a few minutes of relief was wonderful. I also enjoyed the separate water refill station, food vendors and bar. Now, the food was limited but between the two areas, you had a decent selection. 

    The dedicated viewing area in my opinion was also worth it. As someone who is short, these dedicated areas were a godsend. They never go overly crowded, you were able to be along the barricade a bit further back and still get a good view of the stage. Now, it was a side view so you werenโ€™t front and center, but it was still a great view. It allowed for a break from the large main crowd. However, if you wanted to join the mosh pits, crowdsurf or just experience the main pit, you still could. Also, having the large open space, you could relax while you wait for the next band on your list to take the stage. 

    These lounge areas were not at every stage. They were at the two main stages, Vans Left and Right Foot and at the Ghost Stage. However, you could still see the Beatbox Stage from the Ghost lounge since they were next to each other. However, there was no separate area at the Arrow and Eagle Stages. Those were the smaller stages where there were no gates separating one side from the other. So, those crowds all merged together to one pit a lot of the time. 

    While I did miss being packed into a crowd and feeling the energy radiate off people as we sang along to the lyrics, I could still get some of that along the barricade of VIP. I was just less packed in like a sardine. Maybe next year I will hop into a GA crowd and experience that energy again. However, this year having the VIP sections was beneficial. But, looking into the main crowds and seeing everyone moshing, crowdsurfing, singing, dancing, etc., it looked like a great time. You could feel the energy and excitement radiating off the crowd. Plus, they could be front and center, not off to the side. Especially if they were watching a band at the Beatbox Stage. 

    What really made or broke the weekend was the weather. Going into the weekend, everyone was nervous it would be nonstop rain and thunderstorms. The weather forecast up until the day of was saying there was a high chance of rain and storms all day for both Saturday and Sunday. So, everyone had their rain gear ready to brave the rain and mud. However, our luck turned around and Saturday there was little to no rain. It was very hot and sunny the majority of the day. We were sweating, chugging water and looking for any sort of shade instead of shelter from the rain. There was some light drizzle later in the evening, but nothing worth finding shelter for. 

    Sunday was a bit of a different story. The morning there was some light rain while we were walking to get into the venue. However, it cleared up and it was just cloudy and a little colder. It was still warm, but compared to Saturday, it was definitely cooler. As the day went on, the temperature definitely dropped, and we had to purchase some cool crewnecks from the Hawthorne Heights tent to wear later on. Then, at about 6:30 the rain began. It started as a light drizzle then picked up to a steady heavy rain. It rained the rest of the night and our whole walk back home. It wasnโ€™t storming, but it was heavy and steady enough to be annoying. However, it did not stop us from rocking out the rest of the night. We rocked our ponchos and danced and sang our hearts out until the very last moment. Our fingers were prunes, our feet were in pain, but our hearts were full of joy from a weekend of celebrating the return of Warped Tour. 

    All and all, I had a fantastic time at Warped Tour Washington D.C. While it is not the same exact Warped Tour as the past, I think they did a great job of bringing the spirit of the old school tour and revamping it to be a two-day festival. I thought overall that it ran efficiently, I got in and out easily, managed to see pretty much every band on my list, the weather cooperated for 90% of the time, and the crowdโ€™s energy was unmatched. 

    While it was not perfect, there is no perfect event. This was also the first one of three, so it was the guinea pig to see what needs to be changed. Also, these first three weekends are testers to see how Warped Tour does in this new style. So, they are bound to make changes and adapt for next year. What mattered to me was getting to see some great music and be around other people in the scene. I accomplished just that.

    Next year’s Washington D.C. tickets are on sale and I already purchased mine. So, stay tuned for next year’s report to see what changes. I am already counting down the days. 

    If you are curious about my ranking of all the sets from the weekend, you can check it out here.

  • Beauty School Drop Out shows “Sex Appeal” ahead of new album

    Beauty School Drop Out shows “Sex Appeal” ahead of new album

    Los Angeles rock band Beauty School Drop Out, comprised of Colie Hutzler, Beepus, Bardo, and Colton Flurry, released their newest single “SEX APPEAL” following their recent releases “FEVER” and “ON YOUR LIPS” on July 11.

    On this single, which will be featured on their debut album WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO?, releasing on September 5th, Beauty School Drop Out describes it in their press release as “SEX APPEAL.โ€ The band states that they wanted to create something fun and romantic, but one that makes you look deeper as you continue to listen. The upcoming album was made with proven hit-makers like Neal Avron, Mark Hoppus, Alex Gaskarth from All Time Low, and more.

    This new hot single features a tandem music video release with a cameo from Royal and The Serpent! Check that out below:

    Throughout summer and fall, you’ll have the opportunity to see this band in concert. If you miss Beauty School Drop Out on the Idobi Radio Summer School Tour, you can catch them with Blink-182 and Alkaline Trio later this summer.

    UPCOMING TOUR DATES

    JULY 2025

    • Jul 11 โ€“ The Fillmore Detroit โ€“ Detroit, MI
    • Jul 12 โ€“ The Vic Theatre โ€“ Chicago, IL
    • Jul 13 โ€“ Agora Theater & Ballroom โ€“ Cleveland, OH
    • Jul 15 โ€“ MegaCorp Pavilion โ€“ Newport, KY
    • Jul 16 โ€“ The Factory โ€“ Chesterfield, MO
    • Jul 18 โ€“ Uptown Theater โ€“ Kansas City, MO
    • Jul 19 โ€“ Fillmore Auditorium โ€“ Denver, CO
    • Jul 20 โ€“ The Union Event Center โ€“ Salt Lake City, UT
    • Jul 22 โ€“ Showbox SoDo โ€“ Seattle, WA
    • Jul 27 โ€“ Marquee Theatre โ€“ Tempe, AZ
    • Jul 29 โ€“ House of Blues Dallas โ€“ Dallas, TX
    • Jul 30 โ€“ House of Blues Houston โ€“ Houston, TX

    AUGUST 2025

    • Aug 1 โ€“ Marathon Music Works โ€“ Nashville, TN
    • Aug 2 โ€“ The Masquerade โ€“ Atlanta, GA
    • Aug 5 โ€“ The Fillmore โ€“ Silver Spring, MD
    • Aug 6 โ€“ Stage AE โ€“ Pittsburgh, PA
    • Aug 8 โ€“ Starland Ballroom โ€“ Sayreville, NJ
    • Aug 9 โ€“ Palladium โ€“ Worcester, MA
    • Aug 10 โ€“ Franklin Music Hall โ€“ Philadelphia, PA
    • Aug 28 โ€“ Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino โ€“ Hollywood, FL
    • Aug 29 โ€“ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre โ€“ Tampa, FL

    SEPTEMBER 2025

    • Sep 1 โ€“ Credit One Stadium โ€“ Charleston, SC
    • Sep 3 โ€“ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek โ€“ Raleigh, NC
    • Sep 4 โ€“ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater โ€“ Virginia Beach, VA
    • Sep 6 โ€“ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts โ€“ Bethel, NY
    • Sep 10 โ€“ The Camden Assembly โ€“ London, United Kingdom
    • Sep 12 โ€“ Backstage By The Mill โ€“ Paris, France
    • Sep 13 โ€“ Altstadt Eindhoven โ€“ Eindhoven, Netherlands
    • Sep 15 โ€“ MTC Club โ€“ Kรถln, Germany
    • Sep 17 โ€“ Mikropol โ€“ Berlin, Germany

    OCTOBER 2025

    Oct 24 โ€“ The Wiltern โ€“ Los Angeles, CA

    Oct 22 โ€“ Strummer’s โ€“ Fresno, CA

    Oct 23 โ€“ August Hall โ€“ San Francisco, CA

    Where are you looking forward to Beauty School Dropout? Did you love the lead single “SEX APPEAL”? Let us know in the comments below!

  • Alt-pop duo joan release new single “alibi” ahead of new album

    Alt-pop duo joan release new single “alibi” ahead of new album

    Alt-pop duo joan are continuing their action-packed 2025. 

    Alan Benjamin Thomas and Steven Rutherford, also known as joan, just dropped their newest single โ€œalibiโ€ and announced their new album this wonโ€™t last forever. The album is slated for release on September 25.

    โ€œalibiโ€ is the follow up to โ€œbody languageโ€ and their feature on K-Pop group EPEXโ€™s song โ€œso niceโ€. They also just finished up a spring headline tour and a run of shows supporting Bloc Party.

    While writing this new single, they dug into their real life experiences.ย 

    ย โ€œThe song pulls from a personal scenario in the past where it just honestly felt like the other person had the whole thing somewhat planned out; almost criminal,โ€ย the duo said in a press release.

    The track creates a dreamy and trance-like feeling from start to finish. You are greeted with a groovy, driving bassline and steady drumline. The vocal delivery for 90% of the song is very simple and straightforward. It is not overdone or forced, but you can still hear the emotion of reflection, acceptance with a hint of sadness underneath. Then on the bridge, the vocals get a bit raw, while the instrumental gets a bit larger, but still pulled back to keep you hooked into the story. This is followed by the delivery of the final chorus with a piano accompaniment to layer on the feelings of reflection and acceptance of the realities of what has unfolded in the narrator’s relationship. 

    โ€œalibiโ€ was created out of an environment of darkness. โ€œWe wrote โ€˜alibiโ€™ in the dingy basement of some co-write that we did a while back. It was dark, and I swear there was only one light in the whole room,โ€ Joan says.

    The metaphor of the relationship being like a crime was clear from the beginning. โ€œThe room felt like an interrogation room so we kind of used that theme to start something and it just stuck.โ€

    The music video for the track was filmed in black and white and is set in an interrogation room. It features actors flipping tables, chairs and arguing. Bringing to life the concept of confronting the end of the relationship like confronting someone who has committed a crime. 

    This song and their upcoming album are about overcoming hard times and knowing things will get better.

    โ€œItโ€™s about actually looking up in your life and realizing that nothing lasts forever. So breathe and take in the moment. Whether good or bad, you gotta know that it wonโ€™t last. This song was an important reminder of that. Hope it is to you tooโ€.

    โ€œalibiโ€ is also available on all streaming platforms and this wonโ€™t last forever is due out September 25. You can also stay up to date on all upcoming releases and announcements by following the duo on social media @songsbyjoan and on their website.

  • Arrows in Action announce long-awaited part two of debut album

    Arrows in Action announce long-awaited part two of debut album

    The wait for part two of Arrows in Action’s debut album is almost over!

    On June 27, the Florida-based pop punk band dropped their brand new single “Empty Canvas”. This new single comes ahead of the highly anticipated second part of their debut album, I Think I’ve Been Here Before.

    โ€œThe second half of I Think I’ve Been Here Before will lead you into a groovier, sexier, sleeker vibe with a splash of sentiment. With โ€˜Cheekbonesโ€™ leading the charge for this new feel for the band, Side B explores attraction, longing, desperation, and the fear of loss, all packaged in a shiny pop-rock sound,โ€ Arrows in Action said in a press release.

    The band describe โ€œEmpty Canvasโ€ as โ€œa high-energy dance-rock song about being so infatuated with someone that youโ€™ll become anyone or anything just to be with them.”

    “The song mixes pop elements, a chorus you can jump to, and groovy saxophone riffs that match its sultry and passionate lyrics.โ€

    The single release was accompanied by a music video, which shows the band wearing white clothes in a blank room with, fittingly, an empty canvas. While not much mess is made of the environment, there are moments where the patterns painted on the canvas are mirrored on the band members’ faces. The members are splashed with a bright blue paint at the end, but it makes me wish they had done more with their own empty canvases. That being said, the song is catchy and will certainly make its mark on your summer playlist.

    Check out the full music video for “Empty Canvas” below!

    If that wasn’t enough excitement, Arrows in Action is embarking on the Summer School Tour with Taylor Acorn, Rain City Drive, Charlotte Sands, If Not For Me, Beauty School Dropput and special guest Huddy. The tour kicks off on July 11 at The Fillmore in Detroit, MI.

    Check out the full list of tour dates below:

    July 11 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit

    July 12 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre

    July 13 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre

    July 15 – Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavilion

    July 16 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory at the District

    July 18 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater

    July 19 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium

    July 20 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union

    July 22 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo

    July 23 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater

    July 25 – Sacramento, CA – Channel 24

    July 26 – Long Beach, CA – 2025 Vans Warped Tour*

    July 27 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre

    July 29 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues

    July 30 – Houston, TX – House of Blues

    August 1 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works

    August 2 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade Heaven

    August 3 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live

    August 5 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring

    August 6 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE

    August 8 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom

    August 9 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium

    August 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall 

    Nov 15-16 – Orlando, FL – 2025 Vans Warped Tour*

    *festival shows 

    You can pre-save I Think Iโ€™ve Been Here Before here and buy tour tickets here. โ€œEmpty Canvasโ€ is available on all streaming platforms.

  • Arrows in Action are ready to โ€œFeel It Againโ€ on new single, announce part one of new album

    Arrows in Action are ready to โ€œFeel It Againโ€ on new single, announce part one of new album

    Arrows in Action are gearing up for an action packed 2025.

    On February 21, alternative rock band Arrows in Action dropped their new single โ€œFeel It Againโ€ alongside a new music video. Accompanying the single, the band announced the first part of their new album, I Think Iโ€™ve Been Here Before, which will be out May 16. Part two of the album is to follow later this year.ย Alongside the new song and album, they have also announced they have signed to Nettwerk Music Group.

    I Think I’ve Been Here Before is set to explore themes of “nostalgia, breaking out of old habits, and trying to see your past and present in a new light” according to the band. Side A is to focus on the positive aspects of these themes with “a brighter sound, upbeat lyrics, a catchy blend of pop and rock that anyone can fall in love with.”

    Album artwork for “I Think I’ve Been Here Before”

    โ€œFeel It Againโ€ is a high-energy, hopeful song with a groovy bass line and drum beat that you cannot help but bob your head to. The snappy delivery of the verses complements the big sing-along chorus to keep the upbeat and soaring feeling throughout the track. Nostalgia and appreciating the happy moments in your life are at the center of this track. After focusing on the negative parts of life, it is finally time to welcome feelings of happiness and change. The time has come to โ€œfeel it again.โ€ Perhaps that means giving that relationship you let slip away another chance.

    The video for โ€œFeel It Againโ€ brings in all the nostalgic vibes. The video itself is a parody of old-school infomercials. Except, instead of selling something like a ShamWow, the boys are trying to get people to purchase their new album. And of course, since it is in two parts, there’s a deal if you choose to get two. You pay an extra $10 to get the whole thing, but you only get to hear the first part now. You still have to wait to hear the other parts later this year.ย 

    The band stands in blue button-up shirts in front of the desk in an all-blue room, modeling the album, and graphics of the phone number you can call to order the album play along the bottom.ย  A box with the current caller flashes in the corner. It very much feels like you are watching an infomercial from your childhood. Adding to the nostalgia, the band pays homage to bands like the Backstreet Boys by donning all-white outfits and doing choreography. Clips of the bands embodying the nostalgic bands of Limp Bizkit and Creed are also featured.

    The band is also preparing for their first mainland Europe and UK headlining tour. You can also catch the trio playing Download Fest, Rock For People Fest, and Warped Tour Orlando later this year.ย 

    You can stream โ€œFeel It Againโ€ on all streaming platforms. Presave I Think I’ve Been Here Before here. You can also purchase tickets to upcoming shows and festival appearances on their official website.