Hangout Fest 2023

Gulf Shores, Alabama 

Words and Images by Canonblue Lalley

Sun. Beach. Thousands of festival goers and one of the most eclectic lineups I’d seen in years. Only one word can sum up the whole of a Hangout Fest weekend; epic. The lineup was star studded, but one of my favorite aspects of Hangout is the way they don’t pigeon hole themselves into a particular genre. On the Boom Boom stage may be Two Feet, soulful electronic while over on the SheIn stage you may find Ashnikko with her out-of-this-world alien-like stage presence and edgy pop tracks. Dj’s, country singers, indie artists… you’d be hard pressed not to find someone (or several someones) who fit your musical taste. 

The festival vibe was electric on day one, everyone bright eyed and glittered up in their carefully chosen festival outfits. One of the very best things about this beach fest is the acceptance I’ve seen shining through each year we’ve gotten to cover it. The crowd is filled with people from every walk of life, every race, gender and body type. Everyone is so positive, so eager to hype up the other participants. You’ll see phones exchanging hands with complete strangers to help capture the perfect photos for the ‘gram. The crowded stages are stacked with bodies all looking out for each other, keeping keen eyes out for signs of heat exhaustion or distress. The overall vibe of Hangout is more of “everybody just be real cool and we will have a good time.”

Immediately when we got in, our party stopped to grab some of the festival’s famous brisket mac and cheese. Delicious and filling, if not a little heavy for the heat. We grabbed pickle popsicles and refilled our waters at the complimentary refill stations and headed into the music. Two Feet was the first stage off the bat and his crowd did not disappoint. His hypnotic sound had everyone moving and swaying, singing to each other just as the sun started to lower in the sky. Then we were off to several other stages, ending with  Lil Nas X, and RHCP. 

Lil Nas X put on one of the coolest visual shows I’d captured in a long time. Props, dedicated dancers and his larger than life personality had thousands of people singing for him, moving and shaking to the beat. Other artists performing at the fest were Paramore, SZA, Noah Kahan, Yung Gravy, Skrillex, Paramore and Ashe. Sabrina Carpenter was the definite stand out performance, proving that next year she definitely needs to be on a bigger stage. Her energy was infectious, and the kindness that radiated off of her when she spoke to and about her fans had everyone enamored. 

Kicking off the first run in their new tour, Hayley and the crew of Paramore shook the very ground with their upbeat vibe and rock riot sound. Over the years, this band just keeps elevating their sound, their look and their overall performances. They may have grown to super stadium stardom, but having seen them before the breakout of Misery Business in the 2000’s, they go just as hard now as they did then. 

Highly Suspect rocked out the early afternoon, giving us that classic California drawl we’ve come to expect. The crowd took over the vocals in “Serotonia” and serenaded the band. There was also a guest appearance in the form of a song of the Swifite Nation, with thousands of people singing Taylor Swift in unison during the downtime between sets at the SheIn stage. 

Roller rinks, wedding chapels, puppy snuggling booths, voting signup booths. 

If there’s one thing Hangout does exceptionally well, it’s diversifying the attractions to have something for everyone. The best way to catch the end of night fireworks is absolutely the ferris wheel, and I was grateful to be able to snag a spot during SZA to see the show. 

If you’ve ever been on the fence about attending a beach based festival, Hangout is a wonderful intro to the summer season and with it being so close to home, it’s well worth the hour and a half drive to be a part of something truly magical. 

Until next year!

Ministry @ The Filmore, NOLA

Words by Cheli Strumila

Ministry, Gary Numan & Front Line Assembly at The Fillmore – New Orleans,

New Orleans, LA—I Never dreamed at 57 years old I'd be jamming to the underground rave music of my 20s at 7p at night & loving every moment of this priceless memory!! Awww, to be transported back to the days of great synth music that pulsated every cell of your body with every beat and every flash of light was almost like an out of body experience all over again!!

It is no secret that those of us living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast love our quick getaway trips to our ever fun & flavorful neighbor to the west, New Orleans!! Whether for a Saints game, concert, mardi gras, music fests or some French Quarter fun, we all get so excited whether we hop over for a couple days, 1 day or a couple hours!!  There is no doubt that no matter how long our trip, we Always come back with some great memories of fun to make us want to return again and again!!

On a recent trip to NOLA to cover Ministry, Gary Numan & Front Line Assembly at The Fillmore – New Orleans for our Coast Observer Live blog, we were beyond impressed with what I’d like to call the Harrah’s New Orleans experience!!  From the beautiful hotel. hotel room & enchanting casino floor to one of the coolest live music venues, The Fillmore, that we’ve ever enjoyed a concert at, Harrah’s New Orleans provided so much to our trip that we never needed to leave their property as everything we needed to create the perfect trip of memories was right there nestled on 2 blocks of the French Quarter!!

If you've never been to The Fillmore New Orleans at Harrahs Casino all I have to say is Wow just Wow!! One of the coolest venues I've ever jammed to a concert at!!  From the staircase to heaven, cool decor & ambience, BGs Lounge, the coolest ladies restrooms, the spacious GA area & cool seated VIP area..The Fillmore was so much more than just a live music venue..It was A Truly Live Music Experience!!  And for my first Fillmore Experience to be some of my absolute favs from my early 20s, Ministry, Gary Numan, & Front Line Assembly, there was no way this night could’ve been anything but Magical!!

Having had my “Ministry Experience” cut short last year when the storms of Rockville interrupted their badass performance in Daytona, hearing they would be live in concert with Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly just right next door in NOLA, I knew this was a concert I didn’t want to miss!! Man Oh Man, all I have to say if you missed this concert, you missed One Hell of a Concert!! I’d put it up there in one of my Top 3 Concerts of All Time!!!

Everything about this night was just perfect!!  The venue, the crowd, the vibe…THE PERFORMANCES!!! Ministry, Gary Numan, and Front Line Assembly rocked our faces off with synth, beats, riffs, strobing lights all while transporting us back to a time of, in my opinion, the greatest creative generation of music Ever!!

Having spent my 20s in Dallas at the Legendary Starck Club, Sparks, and the underground of Deep Ellum back in the day with Club Clearview, having Ministry, Gary Numan, and Front Line Assembly together on one stage for one night was more of a dream come true for this writer!! Whoever put this lineup together needs to be absolutely commended!!  You created Magic my friend, pure Magic!!!

What is it that made this concert stand out from all the rest, I can’t seem to put my finger on just one thing!!  From walking in to Front Line Assembly setting the stage for the night with their European underground synth sound, to the King of Synth, Gary Numan, showing the crowd why he wears that crown proudly performing not only his hit Cars, but also treating us to the evolution of his synth sound that gives off a NIN vibe that we all fell in love with!! And of course, Ministry’s provocative lyrics and hard synth beats that this writer has loved since their release of Every Day is Halloween, Stigmata & NWO back in the 80s!!  To see these legends, Al Jourgensen & Gary Numan, that are now well into their 60s, not miss a beat and rock our faces off like we were back in the 80s again was nothing short of, should I dare say it…Magical!!! 

If any of you bands out there want to learn what it is to put on one hell of a show,  Ministry, Gary Numan, and Front Line Assembly are the perfect example of why their fans keep returning to their shows again and again and again no matter how far they have to travel for over 4 decades!!  They put their all into every show and leave it all out there for their fans!!  I’ve been attending their shows since I was 25 years old in Dallas.  All of their fans, like this writer, will be attending their shows till the last drum & synth, or our hearts, beat!! It’s what makes us feel alive and young again!!!

NonPoint @Rockin The Sound 2023

Words and Photos By: Canonblue Lalley

There are few bands that can put on a show like NONPOINT.

I’ve seen these guys perform in front of thousands and thousands of fans, and I’ve seen them perform in front of thirty people. Each and every time, the energy is the same; electric.

It was unusually cold for the Gulf Coast down at Point Cadet Plaza, but front man Elias had the crowd worked up into a frenzy. His energy is so infectious, and the swinging dreads during a heavy breakdown never fail to get people moving.

I was lucky enough to catch a few photos of the guys, in the middle of their “Emerald Cities Tour” and these guys were, as usual, down for any and all shenanigans.

If you get a chance to catch them live, DO IT. One thing about these guys, no matter how fast I think I can shoot, they are right there to remind me I’m not shit and I’ve gotta try to keep up.

My Chemical Romance

Tacoma, Washington

Sevendust, Nonpoint & Bastardane @ The Fillmore

New Orleans, MS

New Orleans had the pleasure of seeing the last show of the highly praised tour featuring Sevendust, Nonpoint and Bastardane on Saturday night.

Bastardane came out the gate swinging with their sludge forward heavy sound, blowing the crowd away. These three fellas have been making waves through the scene as they’ve been on tour, and it was easy to see why. Reminiscent of the Melvins mixed with a dash of the Sword, Bastardane brought their own twist to the heavy metal scene.. That nasty bass coupled with gliding slow vocals had the crowd revving up just in time for Nonpoint to take the stage.

When Elias and the fellas took the stage, their larger than life sound and presence solidified them once again as one of the most unhinged live shows I’ve gotten to photograph. Rob Rivera pushes the pace to Adam Woloszyn’s thundering bass. Jaysin Zeilstra shreds on lead while Rasheed Thomas keeps pace and defies gravity as he soars around the stage finding anything he can to jump off of. Elias’ voice is the glue, pushing and pulling the crowd in a flurry of braids and savage lyrics that always seem to hit their mark.

Nonpoint moves together in a coordinated chaos, absorbing and pushing out the energy of the crowd in a cycle of metal energy.

Lajon and the boys in Sevendust closed out our night, with Morgan flailing like an animal on drums in a fury of arms and elbows. Not to be unexpected with a band that has been touring together for over twenty years, John and Vince stay together through the intricate melodies of Xmas Day and Shine. Clint took some time out mid strum to pay respects to my mandolorain tattoo, solidifying all the nerd cred the band would ever need.

Rumors have swirled that this may have been the last Sevendust tour, but obviously we are hoping they’re just that; a world without Sevendust seems a little less awesome.

Stay tuned for updates!

Shinedown & Jelly Roll

Biloxi, MS

Louder Than Life

Louisville, Kentucky

Words & Photography by Canonblue Lalley

After a four month hiatus, I jumped back into festival work with DWP’s very own Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky last weekend. Returning to the festival circuit after the events of the past few years had this type of show riddled with a quiet anxious anticipation. I should have known better than to worry with Ashton-Magnusson Media at the helm along with the creative team at DWP.

Arriving on site, the position of the stages and flow of vendors/experience tents kept crowd control streamlined and safe. Normally getting through the crowd for stages is a nightmare for photographers, so having the VIP area extend down past the crowd and into the photopit was paradise.

Thursday started strong with four coordinated stages battling back and forth, teeming with some of the fiercest up and coming names in the metal game. Dorothy kicked off the Space Zebra Stage with a rocking round of new releases from her newest album Gifts From The Holy Ghost while also peppering in some tried and true favorites. Despite some audio difficulties, Dorothy pushed through with her power house voice and effectively set the tone of the weekend.

Izzy Hale and the rest of Halestorm picked up that torch, signaling out all the riot girls to stand up and scream and be unapologetically them. Courtney of Spiritbox entranced the crowd during their set, clearing the way for Evanescence and Bring Me The Horizon.

The crowd went absolutely feral when Tenacious D took the stage. Jack Black & Kyle Gass bring such an amazing energy to their show that it infects the crowd, and swirls together in this magical cyclone of ridiculousness. Rousing choruses of “Fuck Her Gently” and “Tribute” thundered across the fairgrounds like the word of Gods, but if you asked them, they’d say “Nay, we be men.” before Jack black blast4ed a power ballad in your face.

When Nine Inch Nails took the stage, it was a wonder more people didn’t fall out from the intensity.of the strobes during their set. True to their trademark, Trent Reznor’s voice cascaded over 60,000 screaming fans on the waves of dark, billowing smoke and moody lighting. A difficult but rewarding shoot for us in the pit, seeing one of the bands that shaped my musical experience in adolescence did not disappoint.

Interviews were held in the Bourbon City Lounge, and we had the opportunity to sit down with Dorothy, Amigo the Devil, Apocalyptica and GWAR, all which will be available under our interviews tab (so go take a lil looksie!). The lounge was spacious and luxurious including a VW vintage van photo booth set up complimentary from DWP. Artists, press, and extended media mingled around together all weekend in a pocket of comfort to conduct interviews, photo shoots and meet and greets.

Friday brought in the start of the weekend crowd, who definitely weren’t playing around. The all star lineup included bands like Jinger, In Flames, Meshuggah, and more, keeping the masses head banging through the Kentucky heat. Clutch, our very own zodiac kings led by MR. Scorpio himself, took the stage not only for their set but to also sing in with Mastadon. Maria Brink and the rest of In This Moment pushed out their usual visually dynamic musical experience, including a massive amount of red balloons and a rousing speech from Maria about the power of body autonomy, a subject not falling on deaf ears in a state so politically charged thanks to Mitch McConnell and his support in the overturning of Rowe VS Wade.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Lamb of God brought the fire and flames to the people through their explosive set, and Shinedown debuted and showcased their new sound during their set as well. Corey Taylor and Slipknot debuted their new masks and closed out the Friday as the headliner to a packed out venue.

Saturday saw celebrity bartending in Headbanger’s Hall with Chef Chris Santos, Jelly Role, and Theory of a Deadman among the serving staff. Chevelle, Ghostmane, and Sevendust dominated the Space Zebra nd Loudmouth stages, while Ice T and Body Count rocked the block on the other side of the field. Raw, intensive lyrics and heavy beats fell on a hyped up crowd as Ice T spoke the truth of the struggles of life in the ghetto and the injustices the POC citizens of our country face every day due to government negligence, police brutality and more.

Rob Zombie gave us as sneak preview of his newest cinematic endeavor, The Munsters” during his set, hyping up the anticipation for the up and coming film. Not to be outdone by the newer names in rock, both Kiss and Alice Cooper put on a stage show with theatrics to rival even some of the most intensive headliners int eh game today. The Starchild himself gave us an incredible show, and I swear Alice Cooper still performs with all the gusto and energy of his earlier career.

Sunday brought us out with a bang, not giving us a break or a single moment of rest. Alice in Chains, Incubus and the Chili Peppers headlined the knight, assisted by supporting acts such as the Pretty Reckless, Anti-Flag and the Struts. This weekend brought the highest record in Kentucky festival history, proving that we truly are on the road to healing.

Big props to the team and organizers who made sure water was free and readily available to the masses, hand sanitizer was present throughout he grounds, and covid protocols were followed to ensure the most amount of safety.

Our hearts remain with Rockville as our favorite festivals, but LtL surely made it’s mark.
Until next year!

Hangout Fest 2022

Words and Photos by: Canonblue Lalley

It's been years since the Observer has covered Hangout Music, despite having covered the very first Hangouts in our own backyard. Gulf Shores is such a beautiful little beach town, but once a year it's bustling to the brim with concert goers from around the globe.

If there's one sentence that could describe to you what Hangout is, I would simply just say “it's a whole vibe.” I was absolutely not prepared for the culture shock that was the shift from metal and rock festivals to this beachy pop moment.

First, the festival culture is out on full display at Hangout. Festival goers spends hours on hair with bright colors braided into their hair, body and hair glitter, tailored outfits, the works. It's one of the most colorful and eclectic mixes I've seen in one gathering in a very long time, and I was absolutely here for it.

Let's move on to some of the things to do;

Bringing it back to the old school Venice beach vibe, Hangout situated a full roller rink right near the water in the middle of the festival. They had a bumpin DJ, playing all the hits to make you get up and groove. This was often the party spot, tucked away in the heart of it all. They had a wall of drinks for purchase courtesy of Coke, as well as tons of local food vendors.

We had the brisket Mac and Cheese which was heavenly, and finished it up with peanut butter chocolate gelato while watching the skaters make their rounds.

The Mystery DJ kept us moving and shaking the entire weekend, posted up on top of the disco bus being used as the perfect backdrop to all the must have festival selfies. He definitely had a little bit of the big easy in him, as when we walked up he was playing a bunch of Nola Bounce tracks, bringing that Gulf Coast Vibe to the beach.

Lil Nas X this you? Just kidding!

The festival was in the end of May on the Coast, so day one was HOT. Hangout did alot to mitigate this with water spray cannons, shaded areas (not just for the VIP but for GA too which was nice to see), and free water stations throughout. They also had a hydration station and spa available by appointment on the water.

The ViP areas were DOPE. All drinks and food were comped as part of your ticket, including catering near the big Hangout main Stage. Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks were available, making an inclusive vibe for anyone not partaking in spirits.

There were also beach hammocks, an entire pool and observation deck area for VIP concert goers. It was truly one of the coolest setups I've seen at a festival.

Days 2 and 3 saw rain, and lots of it. It was very welcome, how we as it cooled the place down and allowed sour bodies some time to recover from the heat of Friday.

And speaking of bodies, perhaps my favorite thing about this festival was the inclusive culture. People of all genders, sizes, ages and ethnicities we're represented. There was just love and acceptance, and I noted kore than once how helpful everyone seemed to be towards one another. It's not always easy having a good time, but they certainly did try to make everyone feel included.

On to the Music!

Friday brought in some amazing acts, including Post Malone for a headliner and the return of Fall Out Boy. The crowds went crazy when FOB took the stage and I was transported back to 2005, screaming the lyrics to “Sugar We're Going Down” with my fellow elder emo kids.

TPain also did not disappoint, lighting up the Boom Stage with his Larger than Life personality and music. The man truly has had an incredible career and the crowd fed off his energy the entire time.

Day two brought a lineup change as Doja Cat had an unexpected medical emergency. Hangout came through in the clutch, filling her spot with none other than the EDM legend Griz himself!

Day three saw our first bits of cancellations and time changes. The weather downpoured for a few hours, but everyone remained in good spirits. The rain would continue to dance in and out all day, pushing back but not canceling Sublime with Rome's set.

They opened with their infamous anthem about police brutality, “April 26 1992” and the entire crowd screamed the words along with them. The timing of the opening track did not go unnoticed considering the political and emotional state of our country concerning rampant police brutality.

The rain continued on and on, and when Jack Harlow took the stage the crowd went absolutely feral. His smooth track and voice serenaded the crowd ina. Light drizzle that turned into a raging downpour, yet not a single person moved from the crowd.

All in all, hangout was an incredible experience. I can't wait to see what they have in store for next year!

Dorothy, Joyous Wolf & Classless Act @ The Parish NOLA

words and images by: Canonblue Lalley

New Orleans, LA

It’s not often I get to photograph Dorothy Band in the middle of several tornado warnings, but we’re not in Kansas anymore, so buckle up!

The Parish House is such a unique and in my opinion, underrated venue. It’s connected to the House of Blues, but has an entirely unique feel to it. The gothic crown molding and ancient mahogany makes you feel like you’re in an 1800’s Old Nola club, with the inferno painted on the ceiling.

With a monsoon raging outside, up and comers Classless Act took the stage to open and man, when I tell you I was not prepared for the energy that was about to come off that stage, I am not playing around. Hailing from California, these fellas brought an incredible larger than life presence to such a small space. Exploding off the stage, engaging with the crowd, jumping around on a platform the size of someone’s back porch with reckless abandon; the music was loud and wild but incredible. I’ll admit I was concerned about the turnout for the show. Normally, Dorothy would have a packed house here in Nola, and Joyous Wolf brings in a decent crowd in their own right. At the beginning of the show, which again, was in the middle of several tornado warnings and torrential rain, Classless Act was up to the task of getting the early birds up and moving. Frontman Derek Day maintained a great rapport with the crowd, sourcing patrons from the bar that were maybe just waiting around for Dorothy and bringing them front and center to the stage. With smooth vocals and an infectious stage presence, this guy is someone to keep an eye on.

I swore to myself this wouldn’t turn into a Classless Act review, but at the same time, why not? It’s not often that opening band comes out as strongly as they and blows everyone out of the water, so here we go.

As a bassist, I can’t help but zero in on whomever is slapping those strings. Bass can make or break a tune, it’s the lifeblood to the heartbeat that is the drums, and also, we all are a bit more critical of our area of study right? It’s always lovely when you aren’t disappointed, and can actually enjoy the show without cringing at the lazy runs or top string only playing. CA’s bassist Franco Gravante kept it moving and in the pocket with drummer Chuck McKissock. Opting to not rest on the laurels of simple bass lines, Gravante peppered in some drifty little runs that really sealed up the sound on “Give It To Me” a song off their highly anticipated new album. Gravante and McKissock worked seamlessly together to drive the beat along, and speaking of Chuck, with his shock of blue hair, he reminded me of Animal behind that set. A great blur of arms, elbows and drumsticks, I was lucky to even capture a few shots of him taking it to town.

The icing on it all were the riff offs between rhythm guitarist Dane Pieper and lead Griffin Tucker. Dane would spin around, dreads flying everywhere as Griffin’s hands flew over the fretboard, building anticipation and bringing the once immobile crowd to their feet.

All in all, their kind genuine spirits really helped them to shine. Surely, you know to believe me when I say, don’t sleep on this band.

Joyous Wolf was up next, and I just want to preface that I’ve seen them many times and they are always magnetic. I’m not sure what technical difficulties may have been happening during that set that had it sounding a little off, but I do know that Nick Reese at a festival or larger stage is certainly a force to be reckoned with. He’s a front man that thrives off of the crowd and non restrictive movement and I am looking forward to catching them back on the road for their summer tour. “Fearless” is a dope tune that should be enjoyed at larger than life decibels.

Dorothy, etherial and frightening all at once, is probably one of my favorite live performances to date. I’ve photographed her many times over the years, always at large shows or festivals. Something about the more intimate show, the band being almost one with the crowd, Dorothy’s incredible voice filling every nook and cranny of that room…it was almost a rock and roll religious experience. The Gifts From the Holy Ghost Tour was surely named spot on. Cranking out “What’s Coming to Me” and a version of “Medicine Man” that sent shivers down the spine, Dorothy held a clawed grasp on the crowd the entire set. They rose and fell in energy in accordance of her will and they liked it.

Her voice is so uniquely appreciated and associated with New Orleans, it’s hard to believe their sound wasn’t bourn of the soil in the quarter. Even if she isn’t originally our own, there will always be a place for her here in New Orleans.

Stay tuned for more singles to drop off of her highly awaited album, Gifts From The Holy Ghost hopefully dropping soon!

Corrosion of Conformity, Ministry @ The Fillmore, Nola

Words and photos by Canonblue Lalley.

Corrosion of Conformity brought their incredible energy to the Fillmore stage, coming in hot with “Bottom Feeder” and proceeding to just rock out. It was an amazing experience watching Pepper Keenan in his natural habitat, thrashing and jamming out. There has always been something so incredibly relatable about his voice, and Woody Weatherman’s guitar skills are always highlighted in a humble but concise way.

I remember hearing CoC for the first time as a young child of 8, and it was my first toe into that sludgy, powerful metal scene. CoC has this authentic quality about their live show that makes you feel like you’re laying on the floor, listening to their records for the very first time. Mike Dean came through with the chunky base lines and they just looked like they were living the time of their lives. The crowd erupted at the beginning chords for “Albatross” every head in the room banging in time.

The Melvins were also set to play this show, but due to unforeseen circumstances they were unable to make the drive. They still remain on my unicorn bucket list. Sigh.

Ministry brought an entirely different feel to the stage. A seven foot chain link fence separated them from the rest of the world, and yet Al Jourgensen had zero trouble connecting with the fans. The light show that followed and display set an overarching scene along to hits such as “Breathe” and “Stigmata” with the classic Ministry Cross prominent as the mic stand for Al. Visually, the show was stunning, just as much an experience for the eyes as it was the ears.

The industrial pioneers kept an incredible energy throughout their set, and it’s easy to understand how with such a packed lineup. The return of Monte Pittman after his hiatus from the band to tour with Madonna was such a welcome surprise. Paul D’Amour, formerly of TOOL has also joined the lineup, as well as Roy Mayorga, on hiatus from Stone Sour. The lineup is rounded out by guitarist Cesar Soto and keyboardist John Bechdel.

All in all, it was an incredible night of metal,and hopefully a sign of things to come!

Dropkick Murphys @ the Civic Nola

Words and Photos by Canonblue Lalley

Fresh off the release of their tenth studio album, Turn Up The Dial, the Dropkick Murphys brought their high Boston energy to the stage of the Civic, New Orleans. Our first taste of Dropkick since the world shut down severing live music for almost two years, the crowd was packed inside with high anticipation. Kilts, tartans and pork-pie hats galore could be seen through the different patrons, all excitedly waiting for the return of the punk princes of Boston.

“The Foggy Dew” by Sinead O'Connor began to play as the lights dimmed and the boys took the stage. Screams and shouts broke the hauntingly beautiful medley until the first chords of “The Lonesome Boatman” a cover of The Furys sent people into a full on thrash punk frenzy. Followed closely by “The Boys Are Back” the show felt much like a sing-a-long instead of your average concert. Having such raucous live music and throwing caution into the wind after two years of avoiding our fellow man ignited a spark that the Murphys latched onto and used to propel the show forward with speed and frenzy. Entirely magical.

Noticeably absent was Al Barr, sidelined this tour due to family health issues. Our hearts and head bangs go out to he and his family as they go through such a difficult time.

The Murphys played staples such as “Rose Tattoo” and “State of Massachusetts” always well received. It wasn’t until they played “Johnny, I hardly knew ya” that i was sure the roof may fly off and the floor may collapse. Every person in there screamed the chorus from the top of their lungs, the bass rolling like a freight train and practically drowning out Ken Casey completely.

As noted in our interview with Tim Brennan of DKM, the new tracks from Turn Up the Dial have a more gungy, dark, folk like sound. The crowd went wild, lapping it up and it’s safe to say TUTD is going to go down as a triumph for the Murphys.

Catch them in a few weeks at their annual St. Paddy’s Day celebration in Boston!

Hawthorne Heights, Emery @ House of Blues

Words and Photos by: Canonblue Lalley

New Orleans, LA

Hawthorne Heights hit the road for the first time in a long time to bring us a full play through of The Silence in Black and White on the album’s 15th anniversary release. Joined by fellow emo era fan favorites Emery, HH stopped at the House of Blue’s Parish Ballroom to kick off the Rawring 20’s in the best way. It’s a surreal experience to see the bands that were the soundtrack to our formative years take the stage at this new cycle in our lives and still be able to drum up the same feelings as it did when we were teenagers.

Perhaps the greatest part of it all was the interaction between the bands and fans. JT Woodruff spoke candidly about being back in New Orleans, and being back on the road for the first time in such a long time. He made light of “we’re getting old” style tropes and simply thanked the crowd for coming out on a Wednesday when “we’re all old and have day jobs.” Fifteen years of musical maturity gave us a completely and full sound, filled with just as much emotion and angst as was present in 2004, if even more heavily received as the weight of experience peppered the lines of “Ohio is for lovers.”

The Parish is such an ancient and beautiful place and I was grateful that the show took place there. It’s more intimate with fans only inches from the stage, bodies smashed together as they sang their the lyrics that brought them through the darkest times in their adolescence.

As a note, the two opener bands Bad Luck and Vagrants warmed the crowd up with their full energy and incredibly vibe. In an age where the “emo” era is but a nostalgic memory, these two are still out here keeping the scene alive for the fledgling generations.

Catch Emery and Hawthorne Heights on their final two dates before returning home and breaking our hearts once more.

Static X's Wisconsin Death Trip 20 Year Anniversary Tour Feat Dope @HOB Nola

Words & Photography by: Canonblue Lalley

New Orleans, LA

Static X helped pioneer an entire generation of metal heads with their chunky rifts and powerful vocals. After the tragic death of front man Wayne Static in 2014. the band took a five year hiatus and fans assumed Static X would be no more. In 2019 they announce a memorial tour for the 20th anniversary of their iconic album, Wisconsin Death Trip . The announcement was met with critical reception, much like we saw when bands such as Alice in Chains or Stone Temple Pilots announced their intentions to return without their staple front men. Fans of Static X, however, praised the return, many citing “It’s what Wayne would have wanted.”

In 2019, the fellas in Static X hit the road with fellow metal vets Dope on a much anticipated tour. I was able to catch the almost sold out New Orleans show which featured performances by not only DOPE and Static, but local and regional openers Wednesday 13 and more. As the lights dimmed for DOPE to take the stage an excited buzz hing in the air. Edsel and Acey walked out to an epic roar from the crowd and proceeded to throw down some of their older tracks as well as the covers. “You Spin Me Round’ was met with a barrage of crowd surfing. “Die Motherfucker Die” saw a wall of death open up on the floor of the House of Blues.

Static X took the stage to a roaring applause with an “undead” Wayne Static heading up the vocals. The band received quite a bit of backlash at having a mystery performing standing in wearing a mask remarkably similar to that of Wayne. All who grew up and knew the wildly silly and comical Wayne agreed that this is exactly the type of creepy shit he would have loved. Laying out their entire freshman album, Wisconsin Death Trip ripped from the speakers, the crowd at points overpowering the voice of “Wayne” during “Push It” as the floor shook and buckled beneath the jumping.

Static X will be dropping a new album in 2020 with previously unreleased Wayne Static tracks. I for one am incredible excited to get a little bit more from a band that was a staple of my early metal education. The memorial tour continues on, catch them on the final run before the shows sell out!

Dream Theater @ Hard Rock Live

Biloxi, MS

Words: L.B. Wilson III

Photographs: Canonblue Lalley

On October 19th, progressive metal legends Dream Theater gave Biloxi two shows. The first was a play-through of their newest album, Distance Over Time. The album, and the associated show, offers fans enough heavy metal punch to convince new listeners that veteran fans have been right about them all along. When Distance Over Time ended, the lights came up for a brief intermission before the second act began; the 20th Anniversary of Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory, the band's best-known concept album from 1999.
While Distance Over Time has some great songs, and the band's performance of “Pale Blue Dot” was phenomenal, it was clear what the people who filled the Hard Rock's Boogie Nights auditorium came to see. Metropolis Part 2 is one of the greatest concept albums ever made, and throughout the first act, the crowd was obviously waiting politely and patiently.
When the Scenes set began, the concert backdrop shifted from the cosmic panoramas of Distance Over Time to a graphic novelization of the album's plot, including an anime-ingenue depiction of Victoria, the victim of the story's central murder-mystery. The animated backdrop was a great touch, and offered a modern look to the twenty-year old prog-rock masterpiece.
Jordan Rudess, the band's keyboardist, began his tenure in Dream Theater with Scenes from a Memory, and Rudess gave a wonderfully entertaining performance, swapping time between his massive rotating-electric-keyboard-rig and a comically huge and entirely functional keytar. Rudess and guitarist John Petrucci's back and forth during “Home” and “Dance of Eternity” were impressive and fun.
Bassist John Myung, as the people around me at the show routinely pointed out, IS the frontman of Dream Theater. The band has made metal music for people who make music for decades, and while James Labrie is a phenomenal voice and nothing here is meant to detract from his performance, what John Myung and John Petrucci do on stage during the whole concert is just a clinic on how to play a guitar. In both the Distance and the Scene sets, Myung and Petrucci dominated the stage, playing with and against one another with energy and excitement. They seemed to be there for themselves, enjoying their work, and they enthralled this Biloxi crowd.
Dream Theater die-hards are familiar with the band's relationship with drummer-demigod Mike Portnoy, but for the uninitiated, suffice it to say that Portnoy is no longer with the band and was replaced years ago. His shoes are most recently filled by Mike Mangini, who did a terrific job and even added a few unique fills during “Fatal Tragedy.” Perhaps the most laudatory thing anyone can say about any drummer in Mangini's position is that Mike Portnoy wasn't there and it is safe to say no one really noticed.
If the show had one downside, it was James Labrie's sound tech. During the show, much of the audio mixing was off; at one point during the Scenes set, his high falsetto was belted into a completely dead microphone. Those hiccups were promptly and professionally handled, and the crowd seemed entirely forgiving. Much of that forgiveness surely came from the intimate nature of the venue; the Boogie Nights stage at the Hard Rock Casino is a small concert hall with a single balcony, so when the microphones went down, most of us could still hear James, and he was killing it.
Dream Theater is a band whose heyday may likely have past; while Distance Over Time was a fine performance of a fine album, most of the concert-goers had little to say about the show's first act. That said, if you have the opportunity, ever, to see the band play through Metropolis Part 2, you should jump at the chance. For a band of hyper-educated musical scholars playing hyper-technical riffs and runs in labyrinthine time signatures, these guys also put on a hell of a live show.

Voodoo Fest 2019!

Voodoo Music + Arts 2019

Marking its 21st year, Voodoo Music + Arts Experience once again lit up New Orleans' Halloween weekend with a ton of music, a variety of arts and festivities, and a dash of the macabre. Thousands descend on New Orleans' City Park for the annual event by cab, bus and on foot; some local, some from across the country, and all in search of one very unique festival experience. 

It is a festival known for mixing up the genres: rock, pop, hip hop, soul, EDM and more all have their places at Voodoo Fest. 2019's festival was topped by rock icons Guns n' Roses, Post Malone, Beck, Bassnectar, Brandi Carlisle, and The National, who led a bill of more than sixty artists spread across three days and multiple stages. Whether you are drawn to a favorite headliner or in search of something you perhaps haven't heard before, music can be found at any given point throughout the weekend.

The festival grounds are populated by artists, vendors, bars, special attractions, viewing and lounge areas, VIP sections and more types of food than you could possibly sample on your own in a weekend. You can load up on traditional festival eats like a tasty chicken on a stick or grilled cheese sandwich, or sample some of the more regional cuisine (crawfish pies, boudin, gumbo), choose from a selection of domestic, import and craft beers, wine and soft drinks, and venture over to the shops to pick up some incense or handmade apparel in between your favorite musical acts. In short, there's a lot to do, and simply exploring the grounds to see what turns up is a big part of the fun at Voodoo.

The Halloween atmosphere is an inseperable part of the Voodoo experience, and it can be quite magical. At certain points in the night, fog from the various productions drifts through the hanging moss of the park's massive trees, backlit by distant stage lighting and pyro, bringing with it a beautifully eerie vibe to an otherwise hyped event. Of course, beautiful and eerie is perfectly suitable for a festival set in New Orleans, and the array of comical, creepy and wild costumes worn by many of the guests add another layer to the spectacle.

At the center of all of this is the Mortuary haunted house, one of the primary non-musical attractions of the festival grounds. The Mortuary has continued to grow and improve each year our team has visited Voodoo, and this year did not disappoint. The ornate cemetery grounds are populated by various animatronic ghouls, well crafted decorations, and creepy places to lay low for a bit. Zombies do prowl the grounds though, so beware. The haunted house at the center was at one point not much bigger than a two room shack, although a cool one, that one could pass through in a matter of seconds for a quick scary thrill. This year's house was considerably larger, consisting of long, terrifying corridors with unknown possible dangers around every corner, an outdoor pathway leading to a higher level, and a disorienting trek across a catwalk through a spinning neon tunnel room. If you go to Voodoo, the Mortuary attraction is an absolute must-experience.

The lovely park setting of Voodoo is enhanced by some of the southern hospitality shown by some of the event organizers. Hydration stations provide free drinking water to guests, and the innovative Rock & Recycle program offers participants the chance to score some free merch in exchange for picking up recyclable garbage, helping keep the park litter free for the weekend. Restrooms and aid and information stations are easily accessible, and the staff laid out elevated walkways and mulch on the grounds this year in anticipation of Friday's rain to help keep folks from having to trudge through the inevitable mud pits that come when festivalgoers are greeted with adverse weather.

In all, Voodoo Music + Arts still stands after more than two decades as a very cool, one of a kind event among the American music festival scene, and that's even before we get to the music. My personal favorite highlight of the weekend was Guns n' Roses' Friday night headlining set, which was a massive, career spanning performance and an absolute treat especially since Slash and Duff have rejoined Axl Rose in the band. Whether enjoying music in an intimate tent setting or blasting out across the crowd at the massive Altar Stage, Voodoo continues to deliver a mix of artists ranging from hot up-and-comers to long established icons across genres in a unique setting, and will continue to do so next year.

Voodoo Music + Arts experience is set to return October 30th through November 1st, 2020. Follow them online for updates and future lineup announcements as they develop.

Were you there? What was your favorite performance? Let us know what you think! 

@coastobserverlive

VoodooFestival.com

Scott

Coast Observer, Coast Observer Live

Doyle Live @ Southport Music Hall

The infamous Doyle graced the legendary stage of Southport Music Hall to a crowd of old school punk and new age metal heads just ready for a good time. Fresh on their tour promoting their new album, the Vegan-centric Doyle brought fans to their feet and smarted up small punk circle pits to hits like “A Kiss While We Die” and other “Love Songs”.

Joined on stage by Cancers Slug’s lead singer, Alex “Wolfman” Story, the new sound of Doyle is much like the heavy, rhythmic horror-punk we’re used to but seems to have grown and refined itself like a fine wine. Years on the ground floor of the industry has given the band a filthy, nocturnal sound.

Melissa Etheridge

Hard Rock, Biloxi

By: Canonblue Lalley

I cannot remember a time in which I didn’t know the music of Melissa Etheridge. Her gravely, soulful voice was the soundtrack to my childhood, and when I stepped into the Photo pit at the Hard Rock in Biloxi that weight was not missed.

Striking up the chords to some of her best known hits such as “Come to My Window” “Your little Secret” and more, I watched the crowd ebb and sway and loose themselves in the lyrics written a decade ago. There was so much love and acceptance in that room that it was hard to not be drawn in.

Pulling from her 20+ year discography, Melissa managed a solid balance of original early favorite mixed with more obscure or less well known to the public tracks. She was engaging and intense with an onstage presence I’ve barely seen rivaled and the crowd fed off that energy in a ravenous way.

if you ever get the chance to catch her live, please do. I could never have imaged that it would feel like a hurricane and also be calming, but such is the nature of Mrs. Etheridge’s rock and roll.

Voodoo Music and Arts Experience 2018

City Park, NOLA

Tens of thousands gathered in City Park again this year for the 20th anniversary of what has become a Halloween weekend tradition for music lovers from across the country, and especially the gulf coast area. Some were in costumes, some were sporting their favorite artists' shirts and accessories, and all of them came to take part in a one of a kind music festival experience.

Voodoo is known for bringing together a wide variety of music genres, arts, delicious food and festivities for a weekend long celebration near the end of October, just as the New Orleans heat gives way to the slightly cooler fall air. The grounds occupy a large portion of the park, with five stages and multiple vendors, utilities and information booths forming the perimeter. When not busy enjoying one of the eighty scheduled acts, festivalgoers who explore the grounds a bit can find that there is no shortage of activities to keep the fun going.

The ferris wheel and "Rock It" - a ride that slings occupants into the air on a large swinging mechanical arm- can't be missed, as they occupy the space near the large food vendor area (which features a huge selection of festival standards and southern favorite dishes) and blast their waiting crowds with flashing lights and DJ music as they await their turns. Just beyond that, however, is a bit of a darker area, and the spooky heart of the festival grounds: The Mortuary. This haunted attraction has gotten more intricate and impressive every year, and featured a creepy outdoor graveyard and numerous outlying structures, costumed and mechanical creatures, and a terrifying animatronic, screeching witch that came to life as she was being burned at the stake. The main structure was a walk-through haunted house with dark passages, chainsaw-wielding shadow figures and well crafted monsters and horror imagery. The journey was capped off by a tilted room, which was dimly lit and aligned in such a way as to throw off your sense of balance as gravity pulled you toward the wall. It made for great fun as our party carefully tread through, only to be greeted by some sort of screaming beast in the exit room (I didn't get a good look at him, as everyone was moving quickly toward the door.) 

The Marketplace shops offered a variety of art, clothing, accessories and facepainting. We picked up a bit of incense from Global Scents after the smell enticed us to visit their tent. The House of Blues tent offered some giveaways to folks who came by  to spin the prize wheel and maybe answer a music trivia question or two. We managed to secure tickets to Third Eye Blind's House of Blues afterparty on night one, and caught the band both at the festival and at the venue downtown that night. Some custom printed socks and a bandana from the Toyota Music Den, where we caught French electronica artist CloZee's second performance, added to our festival swag. Add in the Casa Modelo viewing area, the JaM Cellars wine lounge, the two free water dispensing Hydration Stations, Toyota's Festivan Wonderland, the massive Brew Dat beer tent and many more... and  you have a weekend full of adventures awaiting. The more you explore the grounds, the more fun and interesting things you can find to get into, and that doesn't even include the VIP area.

Of course if you you just want to take a break from the excitement, that is no problem either. The park's natural beauty and hanging moss covered trees combine nicely with the festival's ambience, particularly after dark, and leaves plenty of opportunity for attendees to find a space to throw out a blanket away from the crowd and enjoy the vibe in peace. 

Environmental consciousness is a recurring theme at Voodoo Festival. The park itself took a beating on day one as the grounds were wet from previous rains, and the thousands of people treading around made for some exciting mud pit action, but that's just how music festivals go sometimes. Muddy as they were, the grounds were still clean thanks to the staff's efficiency and help from the festivalgoers themselves. I found myself wondering on day one why there were so many attendees filling up garbage bags, until we discovered the Rock and Recycle tent, which offered prizes to attendees who filled their green bags with recyclable material from the grounds. We decided to participate, spent a little time scooping up bottles and cans, and got ourselves some green commemorative Voodoo shirts and were entered in a raffle for a free bicycle and tickets to next year's festival. It was actually a fun little detour that did some good and contributed to the overall result of maintaining a clean, healthy park for everyone to enjoy. I could see this type of thing catching on at more events.

The main attraction of the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience is, of course, the music, and this year carried on the tradition of showcasing major artists of many styles. Rock, EDM, rap, jazz, indie and more are spread among the various stages, with several up and coming and New Orleans style artists thrown into the mix. Most everyone can find something on Voodoo's bill that they are into. There were a few hiccups with the lineup in the days before the festival, which often happens when this many acts are coordinating schedules, but the show made the necessary adjustments and went on. Travis Scott stepped in as the Saturday headliner after an unfortunate cancellation by Childish Gambino. The thousands of people who flocked to the Altar Stage to see Scott's performance seemed to be having a great time regardless. As a rocker, A Perfect Circle's performance was my personal favorite of the weekend, and their haunting, sometimes doomy vibe complemented the Halloween weekend festivities nicely, as did Marilyn Manson's appearance. Several artists played two sets throughout the weekend, often on one of the larger stages and then in the more intimate Toyota Music Den. "Ex's and Oh's" singer Elle King was one of these, warming up at Toyota early on Friday before moving to a larger slot on the Wisner stage in the evening. Chassity from Biloxi named King's second set as one of her personal highlights of the festival.

South Mississippians have been joining in the experience for years. Were you there? Tell us your festival stories at @coastobserverlive!

Voodoo Music + Arts Experience is confirmed for 2019, and this time will take place from the 1st through the 3rd of November, so save the dates. For even more photos, media and information, visit voodoofestival.com or their social media accounts. You can also view our previous years' coverage at coastobserverlive.com.

Get out there and catch a show!

Scott Keller

Coast Observer/ Coast Observer Live

Candlebox @ Hard Rock Live

Biloxi, MS

Words: Scott Keller

Portraits: Canonblue Lalley

Candlebox delivered a career spanning rock show on their Biloxi tour stop, along with a few surprises.

Sporting a t-shirt that simply read "Has Been," outspoken frontman Kevin Martin sipped on a whiskey and invited the crowd to join the band on a musical journey from 1993 to 2016, which was when Candlebox's most recent album Disappearing in Airports dropped.

"It's my favorite record," Martin told us about Disappearing in Airports  in an interview prior to the show. "If we could I'd play every song on the new record. I'd like to do that, but that's not the case. We generally put two or three from the new album into the set."

They did pepper in some of the newer material along with some of their longer established hits, such as the single "Vexatious," which was preceded by some friendly jabbing at some of the audience members who seemed to be viewing the concert through the smartphones they were holding up. The new material was well received, and "Vexatious" and "Supernova" made for great, energetic live jams.

The mood of the show ebbed and flowed from hard rocking attitude to reminiscent storytelling, as Martin would strap on an acoustic guitar and chat with the crowd as he did on their recent acoustic tour. In one particularly fun moment, the band welcomed The Voice finalist Terry McDermott to the stage to sing some Paul McCartney and Rolling Stones covers with them.

Candlebox pulled out the big guns late in the show, namely their hits "You" and "Far Behind," which had the entire audience singing loudly as the venue was illuminated with effect lighting and ushered in the peak moments of the evening.

Not willing to let the show finish on a soft note, they kicked things back up for the finale with "The Bridge" from Disappearing In Airports as Martin left the stage and appeared in a spotlight on the second level of the venue. "It's a long way down... a long way down" he belted out fittingly as he moved along at the edge of the balcony, surrounded by excited fans trying to grab a handshake or high five as he passed. It was a nice wrap to an all around fun show, especially for a "has been."

We hope to catch Candlebox again on the coast soon!

Hard Rock Live consistently delivers a great concert experience: powerful sound, great production and stage view, and a comfortable yet exciting setting to get loud in.

For more info visit hrhcbiloxi.com

For more Candlebox, visit candleboxrocks.com

Share your experience with us at @coastobserverlive

Coast Observer's May 2018 feature on Candlebox is online at http://console.virtualpaper.com/gulfcoastobserver/observer_may_2018_digital/#12/