Not many a time I have witnessed a tour I couldn’t pull off attending; That message still reigns true today. When The Broken Souls tour sent it’s shockwaves through the fandom’s of 4 separate bands nearly five months ago, I knew instantly that I would do everything in my power to be there. Now, mind you, there were no dates released in my area. As I have told Patrick, the lead singer of If Not For Me, it was “Midwest erasure”, and I meant every syllable of it.
Through luck I can only describe as magical, I found myself at a show on February 16th in Austin, TX at Come and Take it Live. I had based an entire Texas vacation around my attendance for this specific show, and I wish that was some sort of exaggeration, but thankfully, it isn’t!
Whilst the gears in my head were turning on how I would get to a show to begin with, I somehow managed to buy two VIP passes to said show in Austin to meet Catch Your Breath. Keep in mind, this world tour of Texas I was about to embark on was still in it’s infancy. If that doesn’t show my intense determination to witness this lineup in front of my face, I don’t know what will.
When I saw the lineup for this tour release, my mind immediately went “Catch Your Breath and If Not For Me!” I had seen Archers once previously and did enjoy their set, but they were not a band to latch with me like Catch Your Breath and If Not For Me had done. And bravely I will say, at this moment in time upon first view of the lineup, I had no idea who The Funeral Portrait was. Boy, was I in for something phenomenal.
Before I get into a real debrief of this live event and this wonderful lineup, I must preface by saying I really have nothing bad to say. So, if you are a reader who loves drama and loves to read about train wrecks, this is not the post for you! That is not to say I won’t have posts like that in the future 😉 Without further ado, Aub takes on The Broken Souls tour.
The CYB VIP Experience.
Woah. Me AND Catch Your Breath? Who cheered!?
The CYB VIP experience was nothing short of genuine. As I stood outside in line, might I add in the shade, cold and shaking due to the lack of sun exposure, I fought my anxiety thoroughly. I had done three previous VIP experiences with From Ashes To New, my second favorite band of all time. I had only a semblance of an idea as to how this experience was going to go. Knowing that this was CYB’s first ever headlining tour, I knew there might be a bit of disorientation. Not only was this a brand new experience for me and every other fan that stood in the line wrapped around the building, but it was also a new one for the guys of CYB as well, and I think that’s important to take note of.
Upon walking in and getting checked in to make sure I wasn’t scamming anybody, and I was who I said I was, there were a plethora of individuals pretty much all roaming about the venue already. It became clear to me that not everyone’s top priority was getting to meet the guys who were making this all possible (LOL.) As I wandered over to where they were standing with only one person in front of me waiting to meet them, my anxiety was higher than it had been all day. Oh my God!! I am about to meet CYB -Me, in that moment probably.
This wasn’t an ordinary meeting as one might assume either, I had previously gotten a tattoo dedication for them and their album Shame On Me, meaning that the pressure was incredibly on. As usual, my anxiety had once again fooled me. These were some of the nicest guys possibly ever. They complemented my tattoo, wore the biggest smiles and overall made me feel a lot more comfortable being up there. Cianan, their bass player, even took a photo of my tattoo and thanked me personally with a fist bump. During our photo, I was shaking so badly I thought for sure it would show up in the picture. Spoiler alert: I guess it wasn’t that bad because our photo looks pretty damn good.
With this VIP experience in particular, I was shocked at how generous they were with their poster size. Most of the time you attend something like this, and the posters are the size of an 8 by 10 photo. However, I was shocked that this was a full blown poster with signatures from each of the guys. It is the type of poster you would have to pay 25 plus dollars for at any regular shop. And it being signed? Probably worth a whole hell of a lot, and I’ll never know, because I will never ever sell it. It joins my concert memorabilia proudly.
The Show!
and they WERE great acts!
Front and.. almost center!
This concert was absolutely to die for and I say that with the utmost glee reflecting back upon it. From start to finish, it was a show you were enveloped in. Not once did I realize my muscles were sore and my feet were hurting. Not once did I happen to think “Wow, I miss home”. Not once was I detached from the experience playing out before me. It was the type of show you place high upon your list of favorites, even as it continues to grow. This was the first venue I have ever attended where the stage and barricade connect. HOW WILD IS THAT? I loved every second of it! Only the best interactions can come of that! and did.
I bet you’re wondering when I’m going to be done talking about this life changing event yet not actually giving details. FEAR NO MORE!
Let’s remember our lineup!
- ACT ONE: If Not For Me
- ACT TWO: The Funeral Portrait
- ACT THREE: Archers
- ACT FOUR: Catch Your Breath
If Not For Me: through the eyes of Aub.
To preface, I have seen If Not For Me three times including this show. Let it be known; they never fail.
I first discovered If Not For Me nearly a year ago now, in April of 2024. My hair was brown with blonde highlights and a pink strip in it, and I was burnt to the 80th degree from a Forida vacation. At random, INFM popped up on my TikTok FYP and I was virtually never the same. I was riding the wave of CYB’s debut album and still hyper fixating over From Ashes To New (that never changes), and INFM was the exact sort of sound I was craving. They scratched an itch I didn’t know I had.
BACK TO THE TOPIC AT HAND! INFM put on yet another flawless performance on this tour. They are the type of band that could be headlining at this very moment. I absolutely cannot wait to see it.
During this set in particular, however, I whipped out my phone immediately and called my friend Faith, who I happened to of put onto this band during the summer of 2024. I took her with me to see them for the first time. Although I have absolutely no footage from this set, it means more to me than anything that I could have my friend there to experience it with me.
If Not For Me is a band that consistently brings high energy to their sets. They are the type of group to get you moving, even if you have no idea who they are. They possess a sort of dream like quality whilst performing, really captivating each audience member. In addition, Patrick Glover, their lead singer, is one of the nicest guys in this industry. I have met a couple notable people myself, jumping from show to show, and no one really compares to Patrick’s generosity and ease when talking with fans. He has the ability to make someone feel like he’s known them for years upon first meeting!
This show in particular was no different from the other times I have been blessed to see If Not For Me. I remember wanting to jump up and down fervently, but was not permitted to do so due to the ongoing FaceTime call in my hand. Which I still, without a doubt, would not take back. An INFM set is usually categorized by intense energy and ferocious performance skills. Bass player Zac Allen and guitar player Hayden Calhoun are not ones to go lightly while on stage. This performance saw no difference in that fact. This is not to diminish the skills from Cody Frain behind the drum kit either, steadily keeping the heart of this If Not For Me performance beating.
As always during an INFM set, I remember thinking wow I really do love their sound. INFM is the type of band to deliver an exact replica of the studio version to the stage. They have mastered what makes their sound appear electric.
To conclude; I am a forever fan of this band. Great sound, great guys, great performance. This is not a band to sleep on.
The Funeral Portrait: through the eyes of Aub.
The. Fucking. Funeral. Portrait.
There are no words. THIS IS A GOOD NO WORDS MOMENT!
When news of this tour dropped back in November, I couldn’t help but ask myself who exactly these guys were. Upon further research, I discovered they had recently opened for Five Finger Death Punch, which unrelated, I am a huge fan of.
Gazing through their instagram told me everything I needed to know. These guys took no shit. They emitted this energy that was purely confidence. This unusual type of essence almost struck me as brilliant. I was also partly confused. I had never seen an outfit put together in this way. This was a band that had immersed themselves into their own world; Suffocate City. I found it to be gimmicky and didn’t quite understand it right away. However, what I understood almost instantly, was the attitude of this group. Straight up not giving a fuck, and I loved that instantaneously.
Naturally, I knew I had to become familiar with this band, granted I wanted to have a full blown immersive experience going to this concert. I had almost forgotten about my intrigued nature towards this group, when at random, they had appeared on my recommended music shuffle on Spotify. What were the chances?! Reluctantly, I clicked their song Dark Thoughts. It became very clear to me, within seconds, that I had been missing out for God knows how long. I almost cannot even explain the feeling that encompassed me upon hearing Dark Thoughts for the first time. I had never heard anything like it. It was entirely unique, against the grain, and totally cool.
The Funeral Portrait’s set was most likely my favorite of the night. Yet ironically, they were the band I originally knew the least about. Within the time frame of Catch Your Breath announcing this tour, to me seeing the tour right before my very eyes, I became very obsessed with TFP’s most recent album, Greetings From Suffocate City.
Just like their music, TFP’s performance skills and stage presence are just as incredible, if not more so. This group has a specific way of making sure that everybody in the audience is having the time of their life. It’s very trendy nowadays, I feel as if, bands get up there on stage and do not immerse their audience in any way. It almost feels as if puppets being played upon by a string. However, what The Funeral Portrait does, is somehow find a way to incorporate every audience member into a set that may even only last under an hour.
This specific set in Austin, Texas was no different. I jumped, I smiled, I reveled in the moment. This show and set in particular had me experiencing emotions I have not felt in a very long time. It was pure fun. Vocalist Lee Jennings has a way with working a crowd that I believe many front men can take note of. He is able to completely transform on stage and reel everybody in, even if they’re not fans (yet).
With high energy performances like Suffocate City, and ones that were able to touch a heart even all the way to the back row like Hearse For Two, TFP put on a wonderful show, even one man down. Hope you’re feeling better Caleb (LOL).
As for highlights during this set in particular, I would like to point out a very special moment that was caught in a photograph (and I would also like to point out that I had no idea someone took this photo) (imagine my surprise opening instagram)
That’s emokingrob! Bass player of The Funeral Portrait! What? Oh I mean Robert Weston. I’m there too obviously.
Archers: Through the eyes of Aub.
I’m going to take this opportunity to air out my frustrations very quickly and hopefully somewhat eloquently.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN SMILING OUT OF HABIT, YOUR BEST SONG, IS NOT ON THE SETLIST ANYMORE??? WHAT’S GOING ON OVER THERE! WHERE IS IT! I KNOW IT WAS THERE BEFORE!
And yes, I have seen Archers before. They did perform it last. Moving on!
While this segment of the blog post may be short, I must say I mean it all deeply and intentionally. Archers is an incredible live band. I believe they have sort of a similar quality to If Not For Me, to where they really know what makes their sound pop on stage.
When I last saw Archers perform, it was at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Might I add, in the smaller room. I wanted to stay up front for their set, but had to abandon my place in order to meet the guys of If Not For Me for the very first time. I’m sure they would understand me moving for that! So, I listened to their set from afar. Still, I enjoyed every second of it. And they did in fact do my favorite song of theirs then, Smiling out of Habit *eyeroll*.
This Archers set in particular was thoroughly packed with energy. And of course, they transfer what you hear on the record perfectly to a stage. Nathanael Pulley has the absolute *perfect* voice for this music. Just phenomenal vocals.
This set saw a new debut from Archers, slowly breaking in their song Never Enough, which released right as the tour began. Although I had not heard it before hearing it live, I enjoyed it! And now it’s on my playlist! Really intricate, beautiful work that Archers does. It always feels clear to me that they really think of every detail before going into the studio and ultimately releasing a piece of music.
To finalize my thoughts on this set of Archers; I was a fan indeed. I should have familiarized myself with all of their songs instead of just the handful that I know from them, but it was still a wonderfully done set. Plus, they brought out Patrick (for people who haven’t been following along, lead singer of If Not For Me) to chime in on Say This Sober!
Catch Your Breath: Through the eyes of Aub.
Yes, we’ve finally arrived. The headliner!!, my readers chant in unison (and then it’s a chorus of like four voices).
CYB was, as always, nothing short of superb. This is a band that has mastered being able to transfer a studio recording to a stage performance. You could not pick out anything that sounds different. It is that exact and that well done.
Previously, I reviewed CYB’s debut album Shame On Me, so to write this segment of this concert review post feels surreal. I have seen CYB now three times including this performance, and not once have they ever faltered in skill. The first time opening for From Ashes To New, the second opening for Breaking Benjamin and Daughtry, and the third now, as a headliner. I would love to delve into that BB and Daughtry show as it was SO interesting and jam packed, but I’ll simply say; I went for Catch Your Breath. And a fist fight broke out directly behind me. Moving on!
This part of the show obviously lived up to everything I expected. And they very smartly saved their best song for last, Y.S.K.W. Down to the setlist, to the lighting, to the energy; it was a perfectly crafted set.
As a sort of side point, bassist Cianan Madigan and guitarist Teddy Herrera both suffered previous injuries that could have easily sit them out of playing but they still got up there and put on a damn good show (Not to mention are continuing to do so on this tour? Talk about dedication!) Not only did it show courage most probably couldn’t muster, it truly reinstated the ideology that if you put your mind to it, it’s getting done. I’m in awe of their strength!
This was a hometown show for both Teddy and drummer Onell Hernandez. It felt strange to me considering I was such an outsider coming from southern Michigan, but on the other hand, as they stood before the crowd up on stage and said their thank yous, I felt included. It was a beautiful, touching moment, watching Teddy and Onell both reflect back to their times of simply being a viewer in this venue to now playing it.
There’s not inherently much I can say regarding this set unless you’d like to sit here listening to me praise CYB for another ten minutes. It was simply wonderful. Josh Mowery has the voice of an angel, but I digress!
And how FUN IS THAT? MY FIRST EVER SETLIST! THANK YOU TEDDY!
You thought it was over?? POST CONCERT MEET UPS!
After the show, I oftentimes find myself in the merch line or making a beeline for the door. It’s almost never an in between.
This instance, I found myself in the merch line. You’re gonna go broke!! They shout as I’m put back into my straight jacket!
The long wait of standing there and being in the way of countless people however would soon be worth it when I finally caught sight of Patrick and Lee, front men of their respective bands, at their merch tables. I went up to Patrick first, and without me having to say anything, he welcomed me with open arms . “You remember me?” “Of course!”. He immediately knew who I was. Wholeheartedly, he is the type of person to make you feel as if you’ve been friends for years.
He said “Girl, you are crazy for coming all the way down here!” Which, he would be right. But I would do it again, of course! It was simply a must see lineup. I regret nothing! Wearing my “I drove 1,300 miles to be here” shirt, he proudly showed it to people around us. It was a hit, might I add.
After the reunion with Patrick, I awkwardly slinked over to Lee’s line. He greeted me with pure kindness and called me “friend”. What an honor! He gave me a hug and thanked me for being there. He was nothing short of delightful!
Alas, I had to go home at some point. I know. I KNOW!
Folks… that’s all I’ve got. What an experience! And what I’ve got is quite a lot I’d say!
To wrap this up… The Broken Souls tour was a once in a lifetime event with acts that perfectly encapsulated just exactly what this tour was about; pure attitude and talent.
I thank you sincerely for reading and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed my thoughts and pure review of The Broken Souls tour.
In the words of Brent Smith, “It’s never goodbye, it’s just ’till next time.”
And that was Aub takes on The Broken Souls tour!
