Aussie group Northlane have been mainstays in the metalcore genre, but with their recent release, ‘Mirror’s Edge,’ they have undergone a resurgence. They harnessed their momentum to undergo a United States headlining tour with the red-hot Invent Animate as direct support and fellow Australian artists Thornhill and Windwaker supporting. This is a star-studded lineup, and I went into the show expecting a fun night at The Orpheum in Tampa, FL on July 16, and none of the bands disappointed.
Windwaker
Windwaker opened the night for the package and started with a bang. I had never listened to this band before, but their abundant energy convinced me to check them out immediately on the ride home from the show. Their sound consisted of a familiar post-metalcore sound with electronic and hip-hop influences. Their existing fans were treated to favorite tunes, like: “Dopamine Freestyle,” “Break the Rules,” and “Sirens.”
Thornhill
I went into the night being most excited to see and take pictures of Thornhill and they did not let me down. This band oozes suave and sex appeal and ties it into their music and aesthetic subtly but solidly, creating the perfect mixture to vibe with live. The band recently released the new single “Obsession” as a follow-up to their hit album ‘Heroine’, and performed the new track at the Orpheum amongst other crowd favorites such as: “Casanova,” “Raw,” and finishing with “Where We Go When We Die.” Also, I would like to give a tip to check out their merch, there is not a band in the metalcore world with higher quality designs and ideas.
Invent Animate
Invent Animate is one of the hottest bands in metal right now. They had always been a cult-favorite but with their breakthrough album ‘Heavener’, their stardom has begun to reach new heights. All of my friends have sang their praises for years but I never gave their music a fair chance. On that July evening in Tampa, I finally understood the praise. Their live performance featured an impressive light show, angelic outfits, a charismatic stage presence, and overall killer live sound. They performed an awesome setlist featuring, “Heavener,” “Sleepless Deathbed,” and “Immolation of Night.”
Northlane
The headliners Northlane finally took to the stage. The Northlane I photographed supporting Fit For A King in 2022 is completely different now. The entire set was intricate and controlled and consisted of ebbs and flows. Their light show was stellar, having the performers draped in either bright backlight or dark silhouettes. The sound of their new EP is, in my opinion, the best they have put out yet, and their performances are only becoming more impressive. Their long, 17 song, setlist consisted of bangers like: “Talking Heads,” “Bloodline,” “Mirror’s Edge”, and closing with “Citizen.” This was one of my favorite shows I have had the pleasure of photographing, from start-to-finish the lineup left me wanting for absolutely nothing, while wishing the show would never end.
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