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Weekend Rock: Smile Empty Soul at the Freetown Boom Boom Room in Lafayette, Louisiana

Elise Hanks

Feb 4, 2025

It was a night of unfiltered rock music to remember.

Two weeks ago, I got the chance to see a band I have been dying to catch live, California-based Smile Empty Soul! They made a stop at the Freetown Boom Boom Room on Sunday, January 19th, 2025, as part of their CONSUME and OBEY Tour, featuring Lines Øf Loyalty and Embers Rise, and let me tell you, this show did not disappoint.



The Freetown Boom Boom Room in Lafayette, Louisiana
Credit: Elise Hanks

The night kicked off with Embers Rise, hailing from Northern Illinois, and they brought their own brand of awesomeness to the mix. I first met Ethan Bartman (vocals/guitar) at the merch booth, and honestly, he felt like a local, super down-to-earth, like an old friend. The whole band had that southern gentleman charm, which makes sense considering they have their very own gentleman Rick Duncan, a.k.a. “Mr. Mustache”, in their lineup. A highlight of their set was hearing Victim live, a killer collab with Lines Øf Loyalty that had initially dropped in October of 2024.





Next up was Lines Øf Loyalty from Kenosha, Wisconsin, and wow, what a surprise! Their set hit me right in my soul. Their entire vibe is about staying true to who you are and screw all the rest. And frontman Nubz Morrison lives it through and through; he’s literally got the word Loyalty tattooed on his face. That’s dedication. Their performance was raw, emotional, and packed with the energy that makes you want to scream along.





Last but certainly not least, we had our headliner, Smile Empty Soul. Leading up to the concert, I had 'Bottom of a Bottle' stuck in my head all week. My anticipation was through the roof, and the live experience completely exceeded my expectations. Smile Empty Soul sounded just as raw and grungy as I remember when I first got into them in 2003 before I understood the songs' meanings. Jon Loree was seamless on the drums, and Sean Danielsen’s voice sounded like it hadn’t aged one bit. Hearing them live and in person was everything I could have hoped for.





This tour’s final stop was right here in Lafayette, and even though we were bracing for snow soon, the venue itself was filled with warmth and excitement. Every band brought something special to the stage, making it so worth braving the cold. (And yes, defrosting in my car afterward was absolutely necessary!)


If you ever get the chance to see Smile Empty Soul, Lines Øf Loyalty, or Embers Rise live, do it.


You will not regret it.



To learn more about any of the bands mentioned above:

Smile Empty Soul


Embers Rise


Lines Of Loyalty




*All photos courtesy of Elise Hanks



Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com.

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