The local Taylor Swift tribute band – 13 Til Midnight – headlined at Hidden Hall, a new venue in Seattle. Their authentic sound, harmonies, and choreography thrilled the audience as they danced and sang along on every song. The show included a wide range of songs – reminiscent of Swift’s international Eras Tour. The energetic, firstclass performance by Kellie Rose (vocals), Megan Moreau (vocals), Sedona Rose (vocals), Brian Lake (guitar), James Manigley (keys, guitar), Jeremy Stone (drums), and Charles Dean (bass) left the crowd wanting more. Seattle-based singer-songwriter Juliet Daniel opened and joined 13TM onstage for their last song.
Babymonster Wraps Up First North American Tour in Seattle
SEATTLE (September, 12, 2025) – Rising K-pop group Babymonster closed out their first North American tour Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena, delivering a polished, high-energy show that was equal parts celebration and farewell. For fans, known as Monstiez, it was a night of firsts: the group’s debut Seattle performance and the bittersweet finale of their inaugural North American tour.
Formed by YG Entertainment, Babymonster emerged from the 2022 filmed documentary “Last Evaluation,” which chronicled the intense process of member selection. Initial announcements in early 2023 confirmed Pharita, Ahyeon, Rami, Rora and Chiquita as the lineup, before Ruka and Asa joined in May to complete the seven-member group. The band officially debuted in November 2023 with “Batter Up,” which broke K-pop debut records, the music video garnering about 22.59 million views within 24 hours and earning the group international recognition.
Monstiez of all ages, from children to longtime K-pop devotees, turned out in force to witness the milestone finale. The nearly two-hour set featured multiple costume and backdrop changes, seamlessly blending Babymonster originals with solo stages and unexpected covers.
The setlist included group songs such as “Drip,” “Clik Clak,” “Like That,” “Sheesh,” “Woke Up in Tokyo,” “Dream,” “Billionaire,” “Hot Sauce” and “Stuck in the Middle,” alongside remixes of “Batter Up.” Fans cheered through heartfelt performances of ballads like “Love, Maybe” and “Forever,” while pop-infused tracks such as “Love in My Heart” and “Really Like You” showcased the group’s versatility. Solo and unit covers ranged from Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Traitor,” Charlie Puth’s “Dangerously,” and even Eminem’s rapid-fire “Godzilla.” One of the biggest highlights came when Babymonster paid homage to their labelmates with a mash-up of BLACKPINK’s “Kill This Love” and “As If It’s Your Last,” which sent the arena into a frenzy as fans sang and danced along.
Staging was ambitious, with members frequently walking the extended runway that stretched into the main floor to engage directly with fans. They waved, posed for selfies and filmed clips with a handheld camera, footage they teased might appear in behind-the-scenes content after the tour’s conclusion. Audience participation was encouraged throughout, with Monstiez singing along not only during songs but also during intermissions when members prompted them to keep the energy alive.
Visually, the production relied on dynamic digital backdrops and two massive video screens flanking the stage, ensuring every fan had a clear view. The choreography, a hallmark of YG’s performance style, was delivered with sharp precision yet still felt relaxed and natural. Between songs, the members introduced themselves, reflected on their journey and expressed gratitude, creating an intimate, inclusive atmosphere despite the arena setting.
Notably absent was Rami, who is on hiatus for health reasons. Her absence was acknowledged by fans, but the remaining six members carried the show with strong cohesion.
The night ended under a sky of brightly colored confetti and with hints about the group’s next chapter, leaving fans buzzing about what’s to come, perhaps new music, another tour or both.
For a debut North American tour, Babymonster’s Seattle finale proved the group has not only the stamina but also the artistry to establish themselves as one of K-pop’s next global powerhouses.
The term ‘southern rock’ typically brings to mind classic rock stalwarts like Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, and the Marshall Tucker Band and perhaps slightly lesser lights such as 38 Special, the Outlaws, and Molly Hatchet. But, as any good (or, at least, ‘well informed’) southerner knows, there’s a lot more going on south of the Mason Dixon than Les Paul guitars, Florida guitar armies, and cringy, ill-advised confederate flags. Two current leading exponents of alternative southern metal, Baroness and Weedeater, played outstanding sets in front of a boisterous audience at Neumos on Capitol Hill Thursday night, much to the delight of the capacity crowd.
Baroness, formed in Savanah, Georgia in the early aughts, is currently on the back half of their 2025 ‘Red & Blue Tour’, during which they’ve been performing their first two albums in their entirety. They stage was flooded with lurid red lighting (naturally) Thursday as the quartet launched into ‘Rays on Pinion’, the first track from 2007’s ‘Red’. One of Baroness’s more unique qualities is their focus on dynamics in a genre that can sometimes lean toward the one dimensional. A song that begins with a hushed ambient introduction or with a delicate acoustic feel can suddenly shift into a crunching Metallica-esque swagger or an extended twin lead guitar workout sure to please anyone with love for Rush or Thin Lizzy.
Priming the pump for Baroness’s headlining performance Thursday evening was Willmington, North Carolina’s Weedeater. While the evening’s headliner was all about technical virtuosity and finesse, Weedeater takes it down to the studs, preferring to bludgeon its audience with sheer volume and concrete rattling bass notes. Frontman and bass player Dave ‘Dixie’ Collins is a captivating visual focus for the band, cycling through a never-ending rotation of funhouse faces and cartoon poses. The Neumos audience responded with enthusiasm, the circle pit in the center of the room reaching its peek for the evening toward the end of Weedeater’s well received set.
Mandolin virtuoso Sierra Hull captivated the full house at the Neptune Theater with her unique bluegrass style, warm voice, and interesting stories. Backed by Shaun Richardson (guitar), Erik Coveney (bass), Mark Raudabaugh (drums), and Avery Merritt (fiddle), they’re on the road in support of Hull’s recently released fourth studio album, A Tip Toe High Wire. Each member was given the opportunity to display their instrumental skills and the harmonies were outstanding, while the five gathered around a single mic during the latter part of the show.
Another fantastic year has come to a close for Bumbershoot, the beloved arts and music festival in Seattle. The event once again proved its success, drawing large crowds for a full day of incredible performances from a diverse range of bands, both from the thriving local scene and from around the world. Here are some of the standout moments and performances that made this year’s Bumbershoot a truly memorable experience.
SCOWL
At this year’s Mural Stage, Santa Cruz’s own punk rockers, Scowl, delivered a blistering performance that left no doubt about their raw power. The band tore through their set with a fierce and unrelenting intensity, captivating the crowd with their high-energy stage presence and powerful, hard-hitting sound. It was a chaotic and unforgettable show that solidified Scowl‘s reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the punk scene.
TANK AND THE BANGAS
At the Mural Stage, Tarriona “Tank” Ball’s voice was a source of pure joy, instantly winning over the crowd. Her melodies, a captivating blend of funk, soul, and jazz, with a dash of Disney cheer for good measure, created an atmosphere that was both relaxed and incredibly uplifting. She delivered each note with an effortless grace that captivated the audience from start to finish. The performance was a perfect fusion of polished musicianship and raw, heartfelt emotion, making it a truly unforgettable and inspiring experience for everyone in attendance.
PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES
Hailing from Seattle’s vibrant late ’90s club scene, Pretty Girls Make Graves were a staple for music lovers, known for their captivating live shows. Now, the band has reunited, and they’re bringing their signature indie rock sound back to the stage. With their unique blend of post-punk energy and melodic hooks, they’re reintroducing their patented sound to a whole new generation of fans who are eager to experience the raw power and artistry that made the band so legendar
WEEZER
A multi-generational crowd of fans, both young and old, gathered to see the iconic alt-rock band Weezer. The group mostly focused on their beloved 1994 self-titled debut, often called the “Blue Album,” much to the delight of the eager fans. Weezer kicked off their set with the 2001 hit “Hash Pipe,” setting the stage for a performance that cruised through a succession of fan favorites. The enthusiastic audience sang along to every word, creating an electric atmosphere that celebrated the enduring appeal of the band’s classic hits.
