Grandson brings the revolution to Brooklyn on the INERTIA headlining tour at Warsaw, NYC | 11/07/25 | Photos & Review

November 21, 2025 Leave a comment

New Jersey punk rap duo HO99O9 opened the night, bringing intense, hardcore vibes to the stage. The self-identified “Death Kult Mutant Freax” are currently supporting their third album, Tomorrow We Escape. I found myself stuck in the “stank face” for their entire set, impressed with their sick vocals and blend of metal, electronic, and rock. This performance was my first impression of the band, and they quickly made a fan out of me. 

Just a few minutes before grandson’s performance, actor and comedian Walter Masterson made a surprise appearance for a quick comedy routine about recent local politics, highlighting the controversy over the NYC mayoral election earlier in the week. While HO99OR set the mood for the music, Masterson set the tone for the political motivation. 

Canadian rockstar, activist, and overall badass grandson brought his headlining tour to Brooklyn in November, marking his return to New York City as an independent artist for the first time. Supporting his third studio album, INERTIA, the “Blood // Water” singer delivered an electric performance showcasing his dynamic discography and bringing his signature activism-meets-music energy to a crowd prepared to shout by his side. 

Even in my pre-show setlist snooping (Yes, I’m one of those people), I didn’t realize that grandson would bless fans with a performance of INERTIA in its entirety! This went undetected as he intertwined his previous work between his newer songs, creating a perfect blend for longtime “grandkids” and newcomers alike. 

The first time I listened to the new album, I had my pick for the opening song of his tour… I was over the moon to find out that I had manifested the absolute banger that is “AUTONOMOUS DELIVERY ROBOT” as the first song of the night (if this didn’t set the tone for the rest of the night, I don’t know what would). This track had fans screaming at the top of their lungs for song after song; it was only fitting that he kicked things off with a bang!

I particularly enjoyed the back-to-back songs I call the “!!!” portion of the set, performing “Oh no!!!” and “We Did It!!!” one after another, tying his final modern tragedy ep in with his debut album, Death of an Optimist (2020). He also pulled from his most powerful earlier tunes, incorporating a sick back-to-back-to-back performance of “Darkside,” “Overdose,” and “6:00” just after “Stigmata,” a lineup so legendary that it would send long-time fans into a head-banging frenzy. 

Performing the entirety of INERTIA, grandson naturally played all my album favorites (and everyone else’s, of course), nailing the heightened energy for tracks like “YOU MADE ME THIS WAY” and “PULL THE TRIGGER” that I envisioned while bopping my head to the songs on my way to the show. While I love the album front to back, the live show gave me a whole new appreciation for one track in particular… 

Since the initial announcement of the headlining shows, the INERTIA tour underwent a lineup change. English punk rap duo Bob Vylan were originally set to open the night, but had their visas revoked by the U.S. after political statements made at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival about the IDF. The irony was not lost on fans, who not only share similar political ideologies but also value civil participation in government and continue to stand up for what they believe in.

Grandson played a chilling recording of Bob Vylan’s frontman, which played during “WHO’S THE ENEMY?,” a song they feature on, explaining the reason behind their absence in America. Ironically, they can’t cross the pond to perform on a song about taking a knee in the face of injustice. Grandson took a step back from the spotlight and let Bobby Vylan’s moving words take center stage:

“Our access to the country has been restricted, and our visas have been revoked […] all because we dare to speak up for the people of Palestine. And we urge each and every single person that is in the audience tonight to do the same thing. Let your government know that you do not stand by their actions…”

The room felt heavy, the room felt upset… and if nothing else would encourage a crowd of people to take action, I don’t know what would. 

Following the latest trend in tour setlists, the 17th song of the night switches from date to date, something similar to the “8-ball” song concept. grandson shared that his chosen song for Brooklyn would be for the longtime fans, surprising the audience with his single “Fallin (Temptation)” from his 2019 a modern tragedy vol. 2. In my mind, it feels like just yesterday that grandson announced that EP, so I may or may not have lost my marbles at this one (just kidding, they’re gone). 

Amid all the headbanging and mosh pits, the most memorable moment of the night was the slower side. I held back tears throughout the entire set, but the one song that I knew would break me finally did: For just one song, grandson sang on an acoustic guitar with just a spotlight, bringing to the stage his beautifully heart-wrenching song, “Heather.” It brought me back to the first time I heard the I Love You, I’m Trying (2023) track, staring at the lyrics in awe. Dedicated to a fan who took her own life, this is grandson’s letter to her and a message to his fan base: no matter how tough times get, you will always have a friend in him and his music, showing his deep appreciation for everyone in the audience, or anyone who’s ever played a track of his in their headphones. 

“This is dedicated / If you put me on your playlist / If you showed up to the stages / If I never get to say this / I’m proud of you”

The set ended with the songs that started it all: “Blood // Water.” This iconic 2018 single is what put grandson on so many fans’ radars ( it was certainly what hooked me on his music when I first heard it that same year). Also from a modern tragedy vol. 1, the night ended with the high-powered song “Stick Up,” as fans pushed their last bit of energy into one final mosh pit. I stood next to a couple who screamed the lyrics at one another with such passion, losing one another briefly to the circle pit… I couldn’t help but look at them and smile. Everyone was so alive!

If one thing’s for sure, this was a packed room filled with like-minded people – In politics, in music, in walks of life. Sometimes it’s relieving to be in a space with others and leave your worries at the door. 

In over a decade of attending concerts, I cannot say that there is a single artist who evokes more emotion in me than grandson does. He is not only a compelling and talented singer and musician, but also a genuine human being who stands up for what he believes in and gives others the strength to persevere, even in the toughest times. 

Like many others, his music has been by my side through the best times and the worst times as I graduated from high school, lived through the pandemic, and navigate adulthood. I am forever grateful for his fanbase, who are always willing to make new friends in line at the venue, or leave a positive comment on social media, and to grandson for keeping the revolution alive and kicking.

Grandson’s Warsaw, Brooklyn, NY, 11/07/25 Setlist:

  1. AUTONOMOUS DELIVER ROBOT
  2. BURY YOU
  3. We Did It!!!
  4. Oh No!!!
  5. BELLS OF WAR
  6. Stigmata
  7. GOD IS AN ANIMAL
  8. PULL THE TRIGGER
  9. Darkside
  10. Overdose
  11. 6:00
  12. LITTLE WHITE LIES
  13. SELF IMMOLATION
  14. Masters of War (Bob Dylan cover)
  15. BRAINROT
  16. WHO’S THE ENEMY
  17. Fallin (Temptation)
  18. Heather
  19. Drones
  20. YOU MADE ME THIS WAY
  21. Blood // Water

Photos & Review by Emily McCormack

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Cage The Elephant’s electric performance at Night One at the Capitol Theatre, NY | 10/28/25 | Photos & Review

November 19, 2025 Leave a comment

The last time alternative-indie rockstars Cage The Elephant performed in the New York/New Jersey area on the band’s 2024 “Neon Pill” headlining tour, frontman and broken boy himself Matt Shultz, unfortunately, performed with a broken foot for the majority of the tour. Nonetheless, he did nothing short of putting on an epic performance, but it was now time for NY/NJ to see Shultz at his fullest potential. 

On this night, we quickly learned that his “fullest potential” was non-stop energy and enthusiasm, all while his top-tier, studio-sounding vocals bounced throughout the venue. This was not only true for Shultz, but for the powerful musicians behind him in bassist Daniel Tichenor, guitarist Nick Bockrath, drummer Jared Champion, keyboardist Matthan Minster, and, of course, Matt Shultz’s brother and partner in crime, Brad Shultz, on guitar.

Cage The Elephant kicked off the incredible night with a badass opener, “Broken Boy,” which is not only one of my favorite songs from Social Cues (2019) but is an unforgettable, fun tone-setter for the entire performance.

One of the best aspects of their set was how they incorporated songs throughout their impressive two-decade discography, with tracks as early as “Back Against The Wall” and “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” from their debut self-titled album (2006), and “Sabertooth Tiger” and “Shake Me Down” from Thank You, Happy Birthday (2011), and as recent as “Ready To Let Go” and “House of Glass” from Social Cues (2019) and “Good Time,” “Skin and Bones” and the title track from Neon Pill (2024).

I was pleased to see that even after all these years, Cage never neglects their fan favorites, continuing to perform standout hits like “Come A Little Closer,” “Cry Baby,” “Spiderhead,” and “Cigarette Daydreams,” which got an impromptu “Sweet Home Alabama” introduction.

A personal highlight of the set was their performance of “Cold Cold Cold,” a song that is not only my favorite Cage The Elephant track, but easily my favorite song of all time (and I listen to a lot of music, so this is saying something). I am glad that this song has made its mark on their setlist, and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing it live before… It makes me tear up nearly every time. There is something in this song that I live and breathe for, and for that, I am ever so appreciative.

The only bummer? The band did not perform some of their staple songs like “In One Ear” (which New Jersey luckily did hear in 2024), and the most devastating was the loss of their show closer, “Teeth.” I really came to appreciate the song after hearing it close the set a few years back, but the other 21 outstanding songs certainly made up for this loss!

The most important takeaway: Cage The Elephant is the real deal. From starting note to final encore, the boys from Kentucky performed an outstanding, dynamic set, ranging from their earlier songs to their latest singles, and everything in between. Their energy radiated from the stage to the back of the venue, with newer fans, seasoned fans, and boyfriends dragged to the show alike, enjoying the songs Cage brought to the Capitol Theatre.

Before Cage’s performance, emerging indie duo hey, nothing took the stage. Composed of Atlanta-based musicians Tyler Mabry and Harlow Phillips, the charismatic best friend duo was nothing short of a breath of fresh air, bringing innovative emo-meets-folk tunes to the stage and true personality to a brand-new audience. I felt like being let into a fun friend group through their witty banter, and it was easy to tell how all the members were comfortable sharing the space. 

The band showcased their personalities through and through, moving around on stage with smiles and hilariously introducing their next songs. One of my favorite intros for their song “Waiting Room,” where Harlow shared that the track is about “the time they took away Tyler’s appendix because he’s too damn sexy.” (To which the crowd promptly gave them a “woo!”). 

Hey, nothing performed a memorable, dynamic set, everything from the more upbeat tracks like “Sick Dogs,” “The Sink,” and “Hitchhiking” to the slower side in “Maine,” and their latest standout single, “Seeing You.”

Cage The Elephant’s The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY 10/28/25 Setlist:

  1. Broken Boy
  2. Cry Baby
  3. Spiderhead
  4. Too Late To Say Goodbye
  5. Good Time
  6. Cold Cold Cold
  7. Ready To Let Go
  8. Neon Pill
  9. Social Cues
  10. Halo
  11. Mess Around 
  12. Trouble
  13. Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked
  14. Skin and Bones
  15. Telescope
  16. House of Glass
  17. Sabertooth Tiger
  18. Back Against The Wall
  19. Shake Me Down
  20. Cigarette Daydreams
  21. Come A Little Closer

Photos & Review by Emily McCormack

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Silversun Pickups’ epic return to The Wellmont Theater, New Jersey 8/23/25 | Photos & Review

September 7, 2025 Leave a comment

American rock band Silversun Pickups continue to treat New Jersey well. Stopping by what seems to be their favorite venue, the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ, remains a staple on their headlining tours!

While this tour has several different openers throughout its four-month run, NJ was lucky enough to be blessed with the rock throwbacks from Kentucky, Girl Tones!

Sister-duo Kenzie and Laila served as an incredible opener to the night. My introduction to them was their angst-ridden single “Blame,” which served as SiriusXM’s Alt Nation “Impact Track” this summer. Excited to see them for months, the pair certainly did not disappoint!

This performance was Silversun Pickups’ fifth show at The Wellmont Theater, last performing in September 2024 in support of their sixth studio album, Physical Thrills (2022). Though they haven’t released a new project since, the Los Angeles group is still killing it on tour, and playing fan favorites from throughout their impressive 25-year discography. 

The alternative-rock band paid homage to the late legend Ozzy Osbourne with a “Crazy Train” introduction to their hit “Panic Switch,” getting an emotional cheer from the front to the back of the house. 

I got a chuckle out of frontman Brian Aubert’s story about meeting a frog on the streets of Montclair, who asked to live in his throat for warmth before turning into a spider that altered his voice. In short, he shared that although his voice wasn’t in the best shape, there was no way he would cancel his performance at the Wellmont.

It’s always fun to see the songs I’ve known for years, performed live on stage, especially hits like “Substitution” and “Lazy Eye!” Even after the singer explained that his voice may not have been up to his standards, I kept thinking to myself: Wow, they sound even better live than in the studio!

The members of Silversun Pickups are true talents, with dynamic vocals, incredible instrumentals, and lively stage presence. This band is the real deal. 

Here’s to hoping SSPU will return to The Wellmont in another three years (or, perhaps, even sooner!) 

Silversun Pickups’ The Wellmont Theater, Montclair, NJ 8/23/2025 Setlist:

  1. Well Thought Out Twinkles
  2. It Doesn’t Matter Why
  3. Panic Switch
  4. Scared Together
  5. Little Lover’s So Polite
  6. Alone on a Hill
  7. Kissing Families
  8. Don’t Know Yet
  9. Three Seed
  10. Substitution
  11. Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)
  12. Dots and Dashes (Enough Already)
  13. Empty Nest
  14. Creation Lake (The Movies cover)
  15. Lazy Eye

Photos & Review by Emily McCormack

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