L.S. Dunes ft. Pinkshift @ The Rave.

August 7, 2023 Leave a comment

On July 24, post-hardcore supergroup L.S. Dunes and brought the heat(wave) to
Milwaukee, with a sold-out show at the Rave. The crowd was packed tight into the Rave bar as
it became closer to showtime. The crowd was an eclectic group, consisting of a broad age
range, from teens to “elder emos” like myself.
Pinkshift took the stage first, energizing the crowd immediately with their 90s grunge,
2000’s pop-punk sound. I had not heard of them before this show but had listened to a few of
their songs on the way to the show and was elated to see that they were incredibly active with
the crowd and so full of energy for their entire set, even with the heat of the room. They were
also incredibly reactive when someone in the crowd passed out, stopping immediately and
calling for staff to get the person help. They certainly gained more than a few new fans in
Milwaukee, including myself! Pinkshift continues the tour with L.S. Dunes through August 11
and then they make their way across the pond on their Britshift (+Belgium) tour from 8/19-
8/27, returning to the US for some short runs with Thursday and then Hawthorne Heights in
September.

You could feel the anticipation grow as the time for L.S. Dunes to take the stage grew
closer. The heat in the room was immense and the only saving grace was an enormous fan,
blowing into the room from one entrance and the water that was passed out between sets.
When they took to the stage, the crowd exploded with energy as everyone surged forward with
excitement. I don’t think the crowed slowed down at all throughout their 12-song set. The
crowd tried to convince them to do a second encore, but like they said to the crowd, they “only
have 12 songs.” The band continues their tour through August 11th . Followed by joining Pierce The Veil on the Jaws of Life Tour next, from November 4th until December 8th.

Photos and review courtesy of Acacia Marie

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Mod Sun’s “God Save The Teen” tour comes home to Minneapolis ft. Pardyalone & Stand Atlantic | Review + Photos

March 13, 2023 Leave a comment

Date: March 4th, 2023 Venue: First Avenue

Even with the chill in the air, March 4th was a beautiful day in Minneapolis.  Along with the chill, you could feel the excitement exuding from the fans making their way into First Avenue.  There was a lot to be excited about.  This was a Sold-Out hometown show for Mod Sun. The crowd was all ages and was a perfect mix of recent fans attending their first concert and longtime fans who have been following and attending Mod’s shows for 10+ years.

           Pardyalone, who also calls Minnesota home, opened the show.   I had not heard of him before this tour. His performance did not disappoint and I fell in love with his unique sound immediately.  He played six songs and sang his heart out and I really loved how often he made connections with the audience during his set.  Mod Sun said later in the show that Pardyalone is the next big thing-and I am inclined to agree with him.  He just dropped a new song and video on March 6th “Alone” ft. Travis Barker. You can check it out here.

            Next was the Australian pop/punk band, Stand Atlantic.  The female fronted quartet had the crowd hyped up and bouncing their whole set.  I had heard of Stand Atlantic in the past because of Warped Tour, but didn’t get a chance to really listen to their music until recently.  I regret not making time to really listen to it sooner, because it’s just so fun to listen to and their live show was amazing!  It was impossible not to bounce around or dance to every single song.  They’re now a staple in a few of my playlists.

            While the energy was already high, it was like an explosion when Mod Sun hit the stage.  His whole set was mostly songs from his 2 most recent albums, God Save The Teen and Internet Killed the Rockstar.  His setlist was uniquely emotional, from love songs like Eyelids and Avril’s Song (tonight it was Minneapolis’ song) to throwbacks to some of his older songs and his cover of Iris (originally by the Goo Goo Dolls). And we can’t leave out the breakup/bad relationship songs, Stay Away and Karma.  I think the most touching moment for me was when he brought his mom up on stage to dedicate and sing her the song “Single Mothers” which is a song off of God Save the Teen that he wrote just for her.  I don’t think there was a dry eye left in the house by the end of the song.  

 Before playing “Battle Scars”, Mod had a few raw, intimate words to say. (TW: Drug use / addiction)

“…I’m standing here before you now, 3 years, 9 months and 14 days without putting drugs in my body.  …. 90% of the shows that I’ve played I don’t even remember because I used to get so fucked up on stage.  But I want you to know, right now, tonight, I am 100% present with you Minnesota, and I will never forget this night.

If anyone in this room is dealing with something similar to me, whether it’s drugs, alcohol, any kind of addiction…maybe it’s anxiety, maybe it’s depression, maybe sometimes you have a negative-ass voice inside of your head when you wake up in the morning that tells you, ‘Stay asleep, fuck the world, you don’t gotta do shit…’ I just want you to know right now … It’s a crazy world outside those doors, but when we are inside this building, inside these walls together, I know one thing for sure…We are all EXACTLY where we are supposed to be tonight.”

            If you are a local or familiar with First Avenue, you may already know why selling out a show at this venue is extra exciting.  If you don’t, let me enlighten you. When an artist sells out a show at First Avenue, they get their name on a star on the side of the building.  Getting one of those stars has been a dream for Mod for years. And now he’s got one.  Although I’ve been to a lot of concerts at First Ave, I haven’t been to any that sold out and that was really cool to experience and I will remember the words he said to the crowd to end the night:

“We officially sold out First Avenue, Minneapolis…I will never, EVER forget tonight.”

Photos and review courtesy of Acacia Marie

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