A couple of years ago I had no idea what the Rebel Lounge was. I especially didn’t know it would quickly become my favorite venue. Moose Blood played the third show of their first ever headlining US tour on Saturday, February 25th. With them they brought Boston Manor, Trophy Eyes and A Will Away. This tour was not only special because it was the first full US tour for the headlining band, but all of them traveled so far away from home. It shows how the music scene has grown in Arizona, by booking younger bands from overseas, we can see just how far music is able to reach. Not only was this my first time seeing most of the bands it was by far the best concert I had ever been to.

The energy that radiated from the fans and the bands is something hard to describe. It’s incredibly captivating to be in an atmosphere that feels like a true community. When three hundred people squeeze into a tiny venue to see their favorite band there can be an onset of nerves. When you’re uncomfortably close to a random person, you think comfort is the last thing you’re going feel, but you can’t help finding that when you’re at a show like this. You feel as if you’re among three hundred of your closest friends you just hadn’t met them yet.

The performances given by the bands were nothing short of exceptional. A Will Away, brought their emo/pop punk songs to life with an energetic seven song set. Next up was Boston Manor, from a small town called Blackpool in the U.K. just outside of Manchester. For being so far away from home they treated their performance like they had played to the crowd many times before. The singer Henry even invited people on stage for the last song which bridged the gap between the artist and the fans. Trophy Eyes were the next act, from Australia they also treated this as a home show. Giving it their all and almost playing their newest release, Chemical Miracle, in full. Moose Blood, the headlining band are from a small town in England called Canterbury. They mention how far away from home they are and how thankful they are to have a room full of people that care to see their music played. The fans are just as thankful singing every word, louder than the sound the speakers were amplifying. This is just the beginning for these bands in the states. Their audiences are growing across the US. The buzz after the show was nothing but positive from the band members and the fans. Hopefully they’ll make Arizona a priority when touring here again.