october 4 — CONCERTS & EVENTS

Your favorite band is on tour, and we had the pleasure of getting to see them in action! Comprised of four members: sisters Alisa Ramirez (drums) and Cristal Ramirez (lead vocals and guitar), Katie Henderson (guitar) and McKenna Petty (bass) are rocking the roof off of Variety Playhouse. A fan favorite venue in Atlanta, The Aces are giving us exactly what we need. The alternative pop band from Provo, UT is showing their fans that they’re entering a new era and it’s one for the books.

The Aces’ logo appears, projected above the drum set, and fans are already going crazy. “Hope it doesn’t get worse as I get older,” the opening rhythm to “Always Get This Way” rings out and the audience is roaring. The first track of the show has bodies moving and hands in the air. With a performance of “Don’t Freak” shortly after, it’s evident that The Aces is prepared for a jam-packed show.

“Atlanta, how are you feeling?” Cristal Ramirez greets the venue. “I need you to sing along with me!” “Solo,” from their latest album I’ve Loved You For So Long has everyone in the mood to rock out for the night. “Atlanta welcome to the I’ve Loved You For So Long Tour!” Ramirez yells into the microphone and the crowd erupts in applause.

After a killer performance of “My Phone is Trying to Kill Me,” Ramirez heads to the front of the stage to get personal with the crowd. “It feels so good to be back. Thanks for having us, it’s been a long time. How you guys doing?” A brief pause for woo’s and cheers. A brief moment of technical difficulties leads Ramirez to passing the mic to Henderson for a good ‘ol fashioned dad joke. “What do you call a cow with no legs?” Henderson asks. (It’s ground beef, if you were wondering.)

After two cow jokes, and body signing by the band, the band is back in full swing with “Kelly” and “Girls Make Me Wanna Die.” The venue is buzzing. The concert air is full of joy and fans screaming the lyrics. The show weaves through some classics, like “Suburban Blues” and “Attention.” Ramirez, moved by the energy in the venue, gets candid with the crowd. Getting honest about the birth of this record, Ramirez admits to being anxious and depressed. “And, it’s this band and you guys that get me out of bed every day.”

With just a few songs left in the show, Ramirez warns the crowd that the show is nearing its end, and everyone boos. Why would we ever want this night to end? “Volcanic Love” from the band’s debut album When My Heart Felt Volcanic catapults the show into a frenzy one more time. With stellar performances of “Daydream” and “Stuck,” the I’ve Loved You For So Long Tour officially ends for Atlanta.

If you’re like us and can’t get enough of The Aces, you can find them on Instagram (@TheAces) so you can stay up to date on new music, merch, tour, and more! Don’t forget to stream I’ve Loved You For So Long wherever you stream music. The Aces are still coursing through the States with Carol Ades, so be sure to catch them live while you still can. Their last show of the North American tour is October 28th at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA!

Words by Kaylee Pickens

Photos by Chandler Bunzol