Avatar played at the Mars Music Hall in Huntsville, Alabama, with Conquer Divide and Oxymorrons
Conquer Divide was the first band on the roster. This girl group hails from all over the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Despite releasing their debut album in 2015 and then going on a significant hiatus, this band is back and ready to rage!
The band currently consists of Kiarley Castillo and Madison Moon on vocals, Kristen Sturgis and Izzy Johnson on guitars, and Sam Landa on drums.
Huntsville showed up and out for Conquer Divide. The band played an eight-song setlist, mostly consisting of songs from their most recent album "Slow Burn." Their set had the crowd pumped up! Their music mostly talks about personal struggles with mental demons and rising above their circumstances.
The band is high energy, always moving around the stage. Singers Kia and Madison made a point to sing to a little girl sitting on her father's shoulders at the show. After the show, Kia personally went to the barricade to give her a setlist and take a photo with her.
Little moments like that show how much bands care for their fans, no matter their age. It pulled on my heartstrings.
Overall the band put on a fantastic set. Their lyrics are introspective and relatable, touching on themes of perseverance, strength, and determination. Listening to Conquer Divide feels like a reminder that no matter what obstacles you face, you can overcome them.
I highly recommend giving Conquer Divide a listen. They are a band that is sure to conquer your heart and leave you wanting more.
FIND CONQUER DIVIDE
Oxymorrons is a band from Queens, New York, consisting of brothers KI and Deee on vocals, Matty Mayz on drums, and Jafe Paulino on guitar. I genuinely cannot describe their sound other than SO COOL! The best way for me to depict them is a sort of rap, punk, metalcore fusion? They have so many influences which makes for such a cool listening experience.
As the band stepped on the stage, the crowd was met with the vocalist's unique looks. Ripping into their first song "Enemy," vocalists KI and Deee hopped onto the stage, running back and forth while singing. By the way, the music video for this song is so visually interesting. Check it out here.
My favorite song of their set, "Green Vision," is such an earworm! I caught myself grooving more than taking photos. I love this band's sound and visuals. Their lyrics are thought-provoking and meaningful, touching on important topics such as social issues, personal struggles, and the pursuit of success. Oxymorrons make music to tell stories, not just music for the sake of putting something out.
After their set, the band hopped down to the barricade. They signed things for fans and gave hugs.
I really can't say it enough, I LOVE this band. They're already in my regular music rotation. I will be keeping an eye out for local shows in the southeast.
FIND OXYMORRONS HERE
The Great Metal Circus that is Avatar hails from all over Sweden. Consisting of Johannes Eckerstrom on vocals, Jonas Jarlby/"King Kungen" and Tim Ohrstrom on guitars, Henrik Sandelin on bass, and John Alfredsson on drums.
If you know anything about me, Avatar is my favorite band right now. It was a dream come true to photograph them. Clad in Johannes' iconic facepaint, I made my way into the photo pit, shaking like a chihuahua in a thunderstorm.
Avatar has one of my favorite stage setups of all time. Made of metal grating, each performer has their own curtained entrance beside John and his drumset. There is even a tunnel underneath the drumkit for a secret entrance for Johannes.
The band took the stage with the title song of their most recent album "Dance Devil Dance." The band emerged from their curtained entries, reaching the front of the stage. The tiny venue shook as the crowd grew to a roar.
Avatar is one of those bands where something interesting always happens on the stage. You could spend the entire show watching one person and be entertained. Case in point, Johannes' harassment of this security guard.
Johannes also disappeared during "Puppet Show" to make balloon animals on the balcony and play his trombone. Avatar is always chaotic and I am here for it! Johannes was also pulled out of a gift box on the stage. Their antics have earned them the title of the tour.
Every leg of the tour they changed out songs. They swapped "For the Swarm" off the set which was a little upsetting but they replaced it with their newest song "Make it Rain." The lighting was beautiful, emulating blasts of light from explosions.
This tour marks the end of the Dance Devil Dance Era for Avatar. I excitedly await the next album and tour cycle. If you've never seen Avatar live before, do yourself a favor and go to a show! You won't regret it.
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