Pop singer-songwriter Jessica Baio headlined at Madame Lou’s during a stop on her Unsaid Tour. The show, which immediately sold-out long ago, mainly featured material from her debut album, Unsaid. And the captivated audience – singing on each song – knew every word. Backed by a drummer and recorded music, Baio’s performance had a huge amount of interaction with the crowd which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Austin, TX based singer-songwriter (and ridiculously fleet fingered guitar slinger) Jesse Dayton and his band played a swinging and energetic set of electric blues to a full house at Conor Byrne Pub in Ballard Saturday evening. Dayton has built a loyal and enthusiastic audience through years of heavy roadwork supporting a string of critically acclaimed and widely appreciated releases. As well as recording and touring with his own combo, Dayton has worked with artists such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Samantha Fish, LA punk band X, and Rob Zombie in both supportive and collaborative roles.
Dayton drew heavily from 2024’s excellent, Shooter Jennings produced ‘The Hard Way Blues’ as well as revisiting select tunes from older albums before finishing the night with a roof lifting take on Townes Van Zandt’s ‘White Freightliner Blues’. Dayton prefaced his tunes with tales of life on the road, observations on what it means to be a Texan in 2025, spending time with the likes of playwright Sam Shepard, and other humorous and interesting asides to his adoring and attentive audience.
I would be remiss to not mention Dayton’s talented supporting cast Saturday, bass player Mark Riddell and drummer Eric Tucker. There are no shortcuts or magic tricks when it comes to creating an ensemble such as the one that took the stage at Conor Byrne this weekend. That sort of steady as a rock, unshakably in the pocket and ‘on the one’ musical communication comes only as the result of many hours playing together and many miles travelled. It’s often strived for, seldom achieved, and unforgettable when experienced live and in the flesh. I’ll be more than ready for a follow up dose when Jesse and his crew next swing through the Pacific Northwest.
Bishop Briggs delivered an electrifying performance at The Showbox, showcasing her trademark powerful vocals and genre-blending style across an extensive 20-song setlist. Opening with the energetic “My Serotonin” and taking fans through career highlights including the raw emotion of “Wild Horses” and the defiant “Champion,” while contrast with deeply introspective tracks like “Hallowed Ground” and “Be Your Love” provided a perfect contrast to high-energy anthems such as “White Flag” and “Revolution.”
Opening was up-and-coming dark pop sensation Ellise.
SXSW 2025 Day 1 – A combination of official showcases and day party performances at the six-day SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas. Photos by Kirk Stauffer
Paramount Theater, March 18, 2025 – American metalcore band Killswitch Engage returned to Seattle on Tuesday evening, as part of their North American tour, promoting their latest album, “This Consequence,” released on February 21, 2025. The tour features support from Kublai Khan TX, Fit for a King, and Frozen Soul.
Upon arrival near the end of Fit for a King’s set, the atmosphere was electric, with the scent of sweat and the humidity from the crowd filling the venue. The Paramount Theatre was at near full capacity, with the main floor standing room only. Energized fans maintained nonstop energy in the pit, with attendees flowing over the barrier one after another throughout each set.
Kublai Khan TX took the stage with an unrelenting intensity that continued building on the tone that had been set before them by Fit for a King, and Frozen Soul. Their set was loud, aggressive, and filled with raw energy that had the crowd fully engaged. Fans up front held signs bearing the band’s name, while one enthusiastic attendee tossed a Texas Longhorn cap onto the stage—a nod to the band’s roots. The band delivered a punishing performance featuring tracks like “Boomslang,” “Theory of Mind,” and “Swan Song,” each song fueling the relentless moshing and headbanging from the audience. Their set was a no-holds-barred sonic assault that left the crowd craving more.
Killswitch Engage’s performance was nothing short of explosive, delivering their signature blend of aggressive riffs and soaring melodies with precision and passion. The stage production elevated the experience to another level, featuring intense lighting effects, waves of smoke, and a massive LED backdrop that shifted between stunning visuals, intricate artwork, and the band’s iconic logos. The setlist included tracks from their new album, such as “Aftermath,” “Forever Aligned,” and “I Believe,” alongside fan favorites like “In Due Time” and “The End of Heartache.” The band’s tight performance and Jesse Leach’s dynamic vocals kept the audience engaged from start to finish, with every breakdown and chorus fueling the crowd’s intensity.
The tour continues through April 12, concluding in Portland, Maine. Fans are encouraged to support this tour and witness the sheer power of Killswitch Engage and their supporting acts, who are delivering some of the most exhilarating live performances of the year.
Killswitch Engage Setlist
Strength of the Mind Rose of Sharyn Reckoning Aftermath Numbered Days This Is Absolution No End in Sight Collusion Hate by Design Forever Aligned The Signal Fire I Believe The Arms of Sorrow In Due Time This Fire My Curse The End of Heartache My Last Serenade
Kublai Kahn TX Setlist
Supreme Ruler Theory of Mind Low Tech Resentment Boomslang Darwinism Swan Song Cannibal (first time live) Loyal to None The Hammer Self-Destruct Antpile Antpile 2
