Leave it up to Gift & Thrift to compile a lineup so conspicuous that tickets were still being bought well after the doors closed. I should know. I was working the door the night Mikey Flors, Sweet Summer, Louie on Tour, Freud, Wah-Wah, Bethany Home, and Bummer Girl all played at The Underground. In the midst of checking tickets and marking X’s I was shuffling downstairs, eager to catch at least one song from every act. With it being a Saturday night, and the last band scheduled for 10:30, I prepared myself for the long, loud, and lively night I had ahead of me.
It was my first time working the door of a show, and for the most part, I enjoyed it. Seeing how stoked the fans were was enlightening, and seeing how proud family members were was warming. “Who are you here to see?” was my main question of the night, and although it was mainly to keep track of recent ticket sales for the performers, I was also genuinely curious. Sometimes I wouldn’t even have to ask ‘cause some folks showed up already wearing merch, which is always awesome to see.
Soulful, indie art rock was the first sound to fill The Underground that evening. Mikey Flors crooned behind dreamy keys and bright melodies from his band, The Enjoyers, as the audience swayed from side to side. Solidifying my new liking for Mikey Flors + The Enjoyers was their wicked cover of Love Song by The Cure. Riveting and refreshing, this band does not disappoint when it comes to getting the party started.
Following Mikey Flors was SweetSummer. A fairly new five piece Rock band from Tempe. The voice of front man Austin Colmenares equally soars and stings. Serenading through one song and packing a punch on the next. I was upstairs when I heard the intro to Somebody Told Me by The Killers, and it wasn’t long before I made my way back down, singing the lyrics with everyone else in the room. Sweet Summer is the feelgood band you didn’t know you needed. Don’t believe me? Check out their song Deja Vu!
If you saw me at the door that night and recognized the punk rock baby on my shirt, then you’d know that I was stoked to see the next band of the evening. The punk rock baby of course being the Louis on Tour logo. Shana, Nick, Jesse, Tyler, and Sam are no strangers to The Underground. Chemistry radiates from the band as they deliver an endless amount of energy, feeding the kids who just wanna mosh. At one point Shana plants herself right in front of the stage. “I’m not kidding. GET IN THE PIT!” And just like that, the kids go nuts.
Back at the door I hear the resounding applause from below me, further confirming a thought I had prior while checking tickets.
‘This crowd is just gonna keep getting bigger and bigger.’
As the night went on not only did the crowd get bigger, but it also got wilder. The next band to take the stage was Wah-Wah. An exciting alternative rock band from Gilbert. Alan Flores and Jaden Estrada deliver only the catchiest of riffs while Austin Eggers and Devoe Mills provide only the grooviest of beats. As the night progressed I got busier and busier, so while I was able to hear everything, l was mainly upstairs during this period of the night. I did, however, manage to sneak downstairs just in time to see a fan stage dive during Wah-Wah’s set and that was cool enough for me!
Freud was next. Still slammed upstairs, Steven from Gift & Thrift came up to me.
“Have you seen this band yet? They got a drummer on vocals, go check it out!”
When I got downstairs the floor was packed, there was a mosh pit, and the sound was booming. Immediately I’m impressed with the drumming and overall music from the band.
WE ARE FREUD NOT SIGMUND was painted in red on a white poster board amidst a vigorous bass solo. These dudes definitely know how to put on a show, and I’m looking forward to the day I get to catch a full set from them.
After Freud Nadeen of Gift & Thrift informed me that the doors were closing. This meant that I was able to stay in The Underground and catch the full set from the last two acts! The first of the two being Bethany Home. Having listened to their music prior, I was stoked to finally have the chance to see these guys live. There was dancing (fast and slow) and singing from the crowd. Relatable emo lyrics, melodious indie tunes, and a memorable stage presence from the band makes for one awesome performance.
And of course, the last band of the night, Bummer Girl. Another band I’ve never seen live, but heard nothing but good things about. Let me just say, they definitely lived up to the expectations. With guitar solos that’ll leave your entire face on the floor, and drum solos that’ll make your head explode, Bummer Girl’s take on rock and roll is a classic one with modern charisma, leaving every fan that’s front row charmed and enraptured. To quote front man Walter, last Saturday night at The Underground was “the best party I’ve ever been to!”
Photos above by @brianbutonline
Here is a gallery of another set of amazing photos, this time from @solomondotdotdot