by photojournalist Ryan Marchese
Tuesday night’s lineup at Orpheum felt both erratic and perfectly balanced. With Hail the Sun headlining a bill that also featured the theatrical chaos of Foxy Shazam, the melodic sounds of Makari, and the rising energy of Mella, the night carried an electric sense of curiosity from the start. Each act brought a distinct identity to the stage, creating a dynamic atmosphere that set the tone for a sold-out show that would constantly shift, surprise, and ultimately deliver something to remember.
Mella kicked off the night to an already impressive crowd, with a steady stream of ticket holders continuing to pour in by the minute. Sounding like the lovechild of Circa Survive and Hail the Sun, they were a great choice to start the show. For a newcomer to the scene, Mella seems like they have big things in store. The fusion of progressive post hardcore and emo they brought to Orpheum had the crowd vibing along. Quick transitions and deep lyrical vulnerability kept onlookers’ attention throughout the entirety of the set.
Makari struck a balance between technical precision and emotional weight that immediately drew the crowd closer to the stage. Their brand of progressive-leaning post-hardcore built on highly skilled guitar work and melodies translated effortlessly in a live setting, with vocalist Andy Cizek’s dynamic range serving as the centerpiece of the performance. Each song felt fluid and immersive, drifting between atmospheric calm and explosive release, while the band’s tight musicianship kept everything locked in. Their set included standout tracks “Breakers” and “And Now We Sleep in Endless Oceans,” but “Disappearing Act” was the highlight of their set for me. That song is just so damn good! The crowd was digging Makari, and you could tell the band was having a blast by the expressions on all of their faces.
Foxy Shazam burst onto the stage and electrified the crowd. Seeing them for the first time was a whole experience I was not prepared for. This group really knows how to put on a show and captivate the crowd. Their outfits, antics, and interactions were all on another level, making their time on stage feel more like watching a circus with kickass glam rock.
Eric Nally rarely stood in one place for more than a few moments. Between dancing around the stage, eating lit cigarettes, and donning a cymbal to become a literal part of the drum set, he surpassed singer and became an entertainer. But that’s not to say the rest of the band wasn’t just as animated. Trevor and Alex took turns at the edge of the stage crab walking and contorting themselves into awkward positions while still hitting every note.
On the other side of the stage, Sky stood atop his keyboard while still playing with his feet and at one point went out into the crowd, still playing, while supported by fans. Devin’s chin served as his guitar’s balancing beam when he removed his jacket mid-set. At the back of the stage, Teddy kept the beat going even when standing up behind the set and coordinating playful interactions with Eric. The band’s message of love, friendship, and togetherness was perfectly catered to the fans in this crowd.
By the end of the night, the venue was packed with fans eagerly waiting for Hail the Sun to take the stage. Frontman Donovan Melero commanded the venue as soon as he walked out. Opening with “The Drooling Class” was like chumming the waters for already hungry sharks. The crowd erupted in a frenzy. Their set just kept intensifying and gaining momentum, built on the band’s signature mix of intricate, mathy guitar work and sudden bursts of energy. Every off-kilter rhythm and rapid-fire transition landed flawlessly. What impressed me the most was how they sounded identical to their studio recordings.
Although Donovan had the spotlight on him a lot throughout the evening, Shane, Aric, John, and Allen’s contributions did not go unnoticed. The band worked like a well-oiled machine, each playing their part to perfection. Their set did the new album cut. turn. fade. back. justice while also mixing in favorites from their other 6 studio albums as well as their EPs.
Tracks like “Human Target Practice” and “War Crimes” felt particularly topical with what’s going on right now in the country. Donovan made it a point to speak out on the recent actions by ICE, denouncing them with a “F**K ICE,” to which the crowd thunderously applauded. Throughout the set he showed off some impressive mic tricks, swinging it all over the stage and even throwing the entire mic stand high into the air before catching and transitioning right back into singing. He also sat down at the drums for a few throwbacks including “Ow! (Splidao!) [I lLike It, Though].”
Closing out the night, Hail the Sun didn’t just feel like the evening’s finality; they felt like an eventuality of the bands before them. Each supporting act brought their own flavor to the stage and Hail the Sun was the main course, the culmination of each ingredient added in. Their set carried a sharp duality of chaos and control, precision and emotion, soft moments and loud theatrics that spoke to the crowd in ways that broke boundaries and created memories that will live on long after the evening ended.
( Special thanks to @jerry.dufrain at the The Orpheum for last minute clearing of this show)
