Better Lovers (with support from SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Foreign Hands, and Greyhaven) performing at Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver, BC on May 4, 2024. All photos taken by Emma-Jane Dotchuk.
A.J. Croce | Wilmington
A.J. Croce performing at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE on May 3, 2024. All photos taken by Betsy Brody.
Juliet Ivy | Los Angeles
Juliet Ivy performing at The Echo in Los Angeles, CA on May 2, 2024. All photos taken by Olive Jolley.
James Arthur | Los Angeles
The iconic Wiltern provided the perfect backdrop for James Arthur's recent sold-out show in Los Angeles. The palpable excitement was evident before stepping inside, with a long line of fans stretching down the block. Once inside the venue, the buzzing atmosphere only intensified as the show commenced.
While Arthur is primarily celebrated for his poignant ballads and soul-stirring vocals, his performance was infused with a playful and upbeat spirit that contrasted with his soulful musical style. The singer-songwriter commanded the stage with an animated presence that traveled throughout the venue, getting the whole crowd to their feet.
The setlist showcased a seamless blend of Arthur's hits and some well-chosen covers, each rendered with his flawless vocals. He kicked off the show with “Bitter Sweet Love,” immediately drawing the audience into the performance and starting the show off on a high note. A personal highlight for me was “Rewrite The Stars,” a song that has always resonated with me and was incredible to experience live. He captivated the crowd with back-to-back covers of Christina Perri's “A Thousand Years” and Shontelle's “Impossible,” showcasing his versatility and vocal prowess.
A standout aspect of the night was Arthur's sense of humor. He playfully teased the audience, at one point convincing everyone that Anne-Marie was about to join him on stage as a special guest. These lighter, humorous moments provided an entertaining counterpoint, contrasting the somber tones of his music and keeping the energy up.
Perhaps most touching was the genuine affection Arthur displayed towards his fans. An artist who truly seems to be enjoying their performance and connecting with the crowd goes a long way in my enjoyment of a performance, and Arthur certainly did both. At the end of the show, he repeatedly interacted with the audience, blowing kisses and waving long after most artists would have exited the stage. It was a heartfelt acknowledgement of the fans' support. At one point, he even dedicated a song to a fan in the audience who had just beaten cancer after a very long battle with it. It really illustrated the amount that he cares about knowing his fans' stories.
James Arthur's Wiltern performance was a wonderful mix of musical prowess, playful humor, and genuine audience connection. He demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his craft while creating a solid relationship with his fans. He closed the show with “Say You Won't Let Go,” leaving a lasting emotional impression on everyone who attended.
Words and photos by Ashley Crichton
Mariah The Scientist | Fort Lauderdale
Mariah The Scientist performing at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, FL on April 28, 2024. All photos taken by Lantz Martin.
Project GLOW Festival | Washington DC
Project GLOW Festival featuring Wax Motif, Said The Sky, TroyBoi, and Nostalgix in Washington, DC on April 28, 2024. All photos taken by Emma Zanger.
Ellis | Toronto
Ellis (with support from Burs and Heavy Sweater) performing at Hard Luck Bar in Toronto, ON on April 27, 2024. All photos taken by Carly Boomer.
Thy Art Is Murder | Los Angeles
Thy Art Is Murder performing at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on April 27, 2024. All photos taken by Adriana Torres.
Greta Van Fleet | St. Louis
Greta Van Fleet (with support from Mirador) performing at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, MO on April 27, 2024. All photos taken by Kaleigh Gieraltowski.
Corina Smith | Miami
Corina Smith performing at Mad Club in Miami, FL on April 27, 2024. All photos taken by Lantz Martin.
Quarters of Change | Los Angeles
Quarters of Change performing at El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on April 25, 2024. All photos taken by Kenny Jusino.
Blake Rose | New York City
Blake Rose performing at Bowery Ballroom in New York City on April 24, 2024. All photos taken by Catherine Herber.
The Amity Affliction | Seattle
The Amity Affliction (with support from Currents, Dying Wish, and Mugshot) performing at The Showbox in Seattle, WA on April 30, 2024. All photos taken by Emma-Jane Dotchuk.
Games We Play | New York City
Games We Play performing at Gramercy Theatre in New York City on April 23, 2024. All photos taken by Samantha Crowley.
Worry Club | Detroit
Worry Club performing at The Shelter at Saint Andrews Hall in Detroit, MI on April 20, 2024. All photos taken by Isabel Dowell.
Koe Wetzel | Inglewood
Koe Wetzel (with support from Tanner Usrey and Cam Allen) performing at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, CA on April 17, 2024. All photos taken by Raven Kendall.
Charlotte Sands | Philadelphia
Charlotte Sands (with support from senses and Cloe Wilder) performing at The Foundry in Philadelphia, PA on April 5, 2024. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
PinkPantheress | Dallas
PinkPantheress performing at House of Blues in Dallas, TX on April 22, 2024. All photos taken by Maia Tharp.
Laufey | Atlanta
Laufey performing at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA on April 22, 2024. All photos taken by Chandler Bunzol.
flipturn | Washington DC
From bittersweet beginnings practicing in a Fernandina Beach, Florida garage, to finding their footing playing countless sold-out headline shows across the country, flipturn is a five-piece indie band that is worth rooting for. From hearing their music for the very first time years ago, to now finally getting the opportunity to see them play live for the first time, flipturn has an infectious spirit about them that is impossible to ignore.
Band members Dillon Basse (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Tristan Duncan (lead guitar), Madeline Jarman (bass), Mitch Fountain (synth), and Devon VonBalson (drums) sound as if they were born to play music together. It is clear from the first moment they step on stage that these bandmates have an unbreakable bond with one another and that they each serve as an essential piece to the puzzle that is flipturn.
Once the band takes the stage, it’s not long before their set ignites with “Churches,” an electric and high-energy track that also happens to be one of the band’s first releases back in 2018. From the start of the set, flipturn’s energy is kinetic, inviting the crowd to reflect that energy right back to them. From the constant stream of dancing, jumping, and crowd engagement, it is a captivating experience to watch this band play a live show.
While flipturn’s setlist included nearly two hours worth of addictive songs from their 2022 debut album Shadowglow as well as some fan favorites from the band’s early beginnings like “Chicago,” flipturn was also gracious enough to play a few new, unreleased tracks for the crowd. If these new songs are any predictor of what’s in store next for flipturn, we should all be very excited.
As their set reached to its conclusion, the crowd roared for an encore, and flipturn listened. Back to the stage they came, still not having lost even an ounce of their energy, to flawlessly cover and put their own spin on The Strokes’ “Reptilia.”
The ethos of flipturn lies within the band’s kindred spirit and love for music, both of which shine through during every single one of their live shows on the Something More Tour, which is an experience that fans of flipturn will cherish forever.
Words by Sara Welden
Photos by Ashton Sotiro