Nothing More kicks off the second leg of the Carnal Nature Tour at the Wellmont Theater, NJ 2/19/26 | Photos & Review

February 22, 2026 Leave a comment

San Antonio rock band Nothing More returned to The Wellmont Theater in an epic kick-off to the new year. 

Embarking on the second leg of their Carnal Nature Tour in support of their latest album, CARNAL (2024), Nothing More filled the New Jersey venue with a sea of black clothing and an audience excited to hear some intense songs, sweat it out to screaming, and vibe with like-minded people. 

The four-band bill was badass from start to finish, introducing the crowd to strong musical talent and dominating metal vocals throughout the night. 

Starting the show, Columbus native Doobie opened the night with a standout rock-hip-hop vibe. In support of his latest project, Give ‘Em Hell Until You Get To Heaven (2025), Doobie matched his cleverly named album title with equally memorable song titles: I particularly enjoyed “Early Bird Gets the Whiskey,” “Beauty in the Boogeyman,” and aptly named “Hate Song.” 

Metalcore band Archers followed, performing their top hits, including “Made For Love” and “Perfect Strangers,” as well as their brand new single “The Dirt,” which seemed like a perfect introduction to a new audience. 

The final opening act was Austin rock band Catch Your Breath, who continued to ramp up the mood. Supporting their latest singles “Lost” and “Dark,” the alternative group performed both their latest songs and tracks from their 2023 debut album Shame On Me, including what I found to be the most memorable song of their set, “21 Gun Salute.” 

After a couple of hours of incredible acts opening the night, it was time for Nothing More to take the stage. 

I was particularly excited to hear new tracks from their latest album, CARNAL, and to have the band debut their newest work to the Wellmont audience since their last performance in 2022. They started with a bang by beginning with the high-energy opening song “HOUSE OF SAND,” the song I saw posted on half the audience’s social media immediately following the show. 

Continuing the love for the tour album, Nothing More showed off more of their latest tracks in performing standout songs “ANGEL SONG,” “FREEFALL,” “STUCK,” and my personal favorite, “IF IT DOESN’T HURT.” 

The four-piece played songs throughout their discography, giving seasoned fans performances of hits “Jenny,” “Ocean Floor,” “This Is The Time (Ballast)” from their 2014 self-titled record, “Let ‘em Burn,” “Don’t Stop,” “Go To War,” “Fade In / Fade Out,” from The Stories We Tell Ourselves (2017), and the more recent title track, “SPIRITS,” from 2022. 

The band even participated in the audience-song-pick trend, keeping the setlist keepers on their toes with a crowd-voted pick. This night, Nothing More gave the room a choice between their songs “Mr. MTV,” “SPIRITS,” and a Nine Inch Nails cover… While I must admit, I was curious about which NIN song they would perform, I was not disappointed when the room ultimately cheered loudest for the 2022 title track “SPIRITS.” 

One highlight of the night was when vocalist Jonny Hawkins invited Archers frontman Nathanael Pulley to the stage for a stunning performance of “FREEFALL,” followed by one of many sick instrumental breaks.

Speaking of highlights: Nothing More first caught my attention with their performance at the 2017 Alternative Press Music Awards, featuring what I discovered is known as The Scorpion Tail, a larger-than-life, sick-AF mega-instrument (my personal description of what my 15-year-old self witnessed) that was nothing short of thought-provoking. 

Ever since, I have looked forward to seeing what innovative new idea the band has to offer: While their latest performance at the Wellmont Theater did not include the 14-foot-tall machine in 2026, Hawkins, guitarist Mark Vollelunga, and bassist Daniel Oliver joined forces (and instruments) to assemble an interesting guitar-meets-bass-meets-drum super instrument that each member managed to play simultaneously (this was seemingly put together a Scorpion-Tail-looking-base, so the vibe was still there). 

While this may have sparked a few question marks among the crowd, this was no doubt an eye-catching moment of the set and had me wondering how they came up with that!

Nothing More finished their incredible set with their anthemic song “This Is The Time (Ballast),” an iconic track for the band, and, of course, a fun full-circle moment for me since it was one of the first songs of theirs I heard nearly a decade ago! 

Coming back four years after seeing them for the first time at the same venue in 2022, I am appreciative that Nothing More treats New Jersey so well. With a memorable performance from years ago, there was no way I was going to miss this show…

Truthfully, I was hoping for another chance to see the innovative Scorpion Tail in action and to its fullest extent; the band’s true talent and stellar setlist made up for the scaled-down spectacle. Would I come back for a potential Nothing More 2030 performance in Montclair? Once I wrap my head around such an absurd number, the answer would be yes!

Other venues worldwide don’t have to wait much longer, since Nothing More will continue their world tour through August 2026. Tickets to the remaining dates are available here! 

Nothing More’s The Wellmont Theater, Montclair, NJ, 2/19/26 Setlist:

  1. HOUSE ON SAND
  2. ANGEL SONG
  3. Let ‘em Burn
  4. IF IT DOESN’T HURT
  5. Don’t Stop
  6. Go To War
  7. FREEFALL
  8. SPIRITS (Audience Voted Song)
  9. Jenny
  10. STUCK
  11. Fade In / Fade Out
  12. Ocean Floor
  13. This Is The Time (Ballast)

Photos & Review byEmily McCormack

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The Happy Fits says CELLO to Irving Plaza, NYC | Photos & Review | Throwback Thursday

February 5, 2026 Leave a comment

A night of top-tier indie-rock tunes, locked in fans from the front to the back of the house, a surprise marriage proposal, and to top it all off: The most badass electric cello performance ever known to humankind. No one does it quite like The Happy Fits.

The high-energy band returned to New York City on December 10, 2025, at Irving Plaza in support of their stellar fourth studio album, Lovesick, released in September.

Originally set to play at the Brooklyn Paramount days later, the band announced weeks in advance that their New York date was rescheduled and would take place at a different venue. Although this Wednesday evening was met with some dreary weather, concerns about nasty rain and mid-week haze were left at the door, as it began with not one, but two standout support performances.
NYC-based band Double Standard opened the night, setting the tone for an evening of incredible indie vibes and powerful female vocalists taking the stage. Everything from their confident presence, comfort in front of an audience, and overall style had me hooked from the first note of their opening song, “nvr c u again,” through “Crush.”

The five-piece project toured in support of their self-titled debut EP, Double Standard, released earlier in the summer. Performing seven of the eight songs on their project, Double Standard’s set provided the perfect introduction of the band to a largely new audience, and had me sharing their music with friends before they even left the stage.

The second act of the night was the vibrant indie rock band Pom Pom Squad, hailing from Brooklyn, NYC. Performing songs from their latest third studio album, Mirror Starts Moving Without Me (2024), I loved the sweet-but-don’t-cross-me sort of vibes from the whole band, and the enchanting vocals from frontwoman Mia Berrin.

The only bummer of their set was that Berrin spent a majority of the time in dark lighting… Her outfit was gorgeous, and she had such a graceful presence… I wish the audience could see better from the back. However, this was changed throughout the set, and when they broke out the pom poms, they had a moment to (literally) shine!

After a couple of hours of anticipation and plenty of great tunes to set the mood, it was finally time for The Happy Fits to take the stage.

The four-piece put on a performance nothing short of exceptional, yet again beating expectations with their incredible stage presence and electric personalities.

The main character of the night is certainly the electric cello (well, the person playing the cello is included, of course). Vocalist and cellist Calvin Langman plays like no other, spotlighting an otherwise classical instrument in a new, indie-rock environment. This has always been and remains just one of the ways The Happy Fits are so unique – that, and their unmatched raw talent and energy, of course.

The setlist included just under half of the Lovesick album, opening with powerful singles “Cruel Power” and “Everything You Do.” Also from the latest album, The Happy Fits showcased “The Nerve,” “Shake Me,” “Black Hole,” “Do You See Me?,” and “I Could Stare at You for Hours” after a lovely proposal at the back of the house,  thanks to the band’s assistance (she said yes!).

“Lovesick #1 (Misery)” was the one song I was particularly excited to hear live. I wish I could relive the moment I first listened to this track, over and over again, as it’s perhaps my favorite from Lovesick (don’t make me choose, though). This song places a spotlight on Raina Mullen’s impeccably emotional vocals. There is something so magical about her delivery, with all its genuine angst and grace, and she exceeded my expectations early in the set.

I had the pleasure of seeing both newest members, Mullen and Nico Rose, in 2023 at Happy Fest, before they were officially a part of the band. I remember being so excited to hear two fresh female voices paired with songs I’ve known and enjoyed for years, in awe of how these beloved tracks just got better and better. Seeing them again,  years later, now permanent members and with a brand new album at their side, felt so empowering.

While focusing primarily on the new album, The Happy Fits did anything but neglect their earlier work. It was exciting to see some of my favorites, like “Do Your Worst” from Under the Shade of Green (2022) and “She Wants Me (To Be Loved)” from What Could Be Better? (2020), and some of my all-time faves, “Heart of a Dancer” and “Mary” from Concentrate (2018).

The group went even deeper into their discography when performing “Dirty Imbecile” and “Too Late” from their debut EP Awfully Apeelin’ (2016), making for a memorable show closer for longtime fans.

Beyond their own discography, The Happy Fits also did a fun cover of Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 hit “Go Your Own Way,” perfectly matching the tone of the rest of the set, keeping up with their energy and performing the song as if it were their own!

If you’re in the mood for an uplifting night of positive vibes, a stacked setlist, and incredible indie-rock tunes, The Happy Fits show is the one for you. Bring a group of friends, come in a duo, or find a friend or two in the crowd– You’re bound to run into a smiling face waiting to scream lyrics beside you.

If you’ve missed out on this tour, it’s not too late! The Happy Fits will embark on the second leg of their U.S. Lovesick tour in spring 2026! Tickets and more information are available on their official website, here.

The Happy Fits’ Irving Plaza, New York, NY, 12/10/25 Setlist:

  1. Cruel Power
  2. Everything You Do 
  3. She Wants Me (To Be Loved)
  4. Moving
  5. Lovesick #1 (Misery)
  6. Dirty Imbecile
  7. Do Your Worst
  8. The Nerve
  9. Cold Turkey
  10. I Could Stare at You for hours
  11. Shake Me
  12. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac cover)
  13. Hold Me Down
  14. So Alright, Cool, Whatever
  15. Black Hole
  16. Mary
  17. Do You See Me?
  18. Heart of a Dancer
  19. Too Late

Photos & Review byEmily McCormack

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Winona Fighter commands KEMBA Live’s “ATTENTION” on The Prowler Tour |11/29/25 | Photos & Review

December 23, 2025 Leave a comment

Winona Fighter has spent the last year cementing themselves as punk-rock royalty. From the release of their groundbreaking debut album in February to playing non-stop shows all over the world since, the Nashville-based trio is one of the best and most exciting rising acts to hit the scene in modern years. Frontwoman/multi-instrumentalist Coco Kinnon, lead guitarist Dan Fuson, and bassist/producer Austin Luther channel their own vulnerability, blistering rage and emotional turmoil to resonate with their growing community that they’ve built from the ground up.

When it was first announced that Winona Fighter would be joining Waterparks on The Prowler Tour for select dates in the midwest and west coast, I was devastated. That initial devastation soon turned to scheming with my friends to see if we could make the trip out to the closest date from New York: Columbus, Ohio. Before I knew it, I was spending eight and a half hours in a car to see the trio at KEMBA Live on November 29th. 

The second Winona Fighter stepped on stage, it solidified that I had made the right choice in traveling so far from home. Kinnon wasted no time, immediately jumping and running around the stage from the first few notes of “R U FAMOUS.” The band’s live energy is unlike anything I have ever seen. They took full advantage of the short time they had to let everyone know what they’re all about. 

For a lot of Waterparks fans, they had no idea who Winona Fighter were before walking through the doors of KEMBA Live. While I had the time of my life screaming along to every word, it was even more thrilling to watch the people around me fall in love with their music. This is one of the many things I love about showing up to shows early in time for the openers. You seriously never know if you’re going to find your new favorite artist, even if 30 minutes ago you could barely remember who was even on the bill. 

The setlist consisted of the biggest heavy-hitters from My Apologies To The Chef, including “I’M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE,” “You Look Like a Drunk Phoebe Bridgers” and “ Wlbrn St Tvrn.” The trio also gave the crowd an incredible cover of Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.” I vividly remember being blown away by their performance of the song at their New Jersey headliner earlier this year and it was exciting to see others having a similar first-time reaction. 

While the response to the band was generally positive, it shocked me a bit that we had made it almost entirely through their set with no mosh pits. This quickly changed once Kinnon offered the crowd some motivation, exclaiming that they had a job to do and Waterparks would be very unhappy with them if there continued to be no moshing. They closed out their set with “HAMMS IN A GLASS” and the mosh pit that raged on from the center was almost enough to make up for the other seven songs. 

My apologies to anyone who still has yet to see Winona Fighter live. If driving eight and a half hours just to see them again doesn’t prove how good they are, I don’t know what will. Their shows, whether supporting or headlining, are some of the most vibrant and energetic spaces I’ve ever had the pleasure of being in. This year was only the beginning for Winona Fighter and I am stoked to see where 2026 takes them next. 

Review & Photography by Amber Bintliff

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