Rian Nickels
Oct 16, 2024
A Night of Raw Emotion and Fan Favorites
On a muggy night in Louisiana -October 7th, 2024—the historic House of Blues New Orleans brought together three different corners of the alternative music scene. The Used, an alternative rock band, was deep into their 2024 headlining world tour; for their New Orleans spot, they were supported by up-and-coming alternative grunge band Raue (Pronounced: Roo—ay) and well-loved soft rock band the Plain White T’s.
Kicking off a night with a surge of high energy, Raue, a two-piece band from Santa Cruz, California, made a lasting impression with their gritty sound and riotous stage presence. The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Paige Kalenian and drummer Jax Huckle. I was super excited to photograph Paige and Jax, but sadly, I missed my first three-song opportunity. Fortunately, I still made it in time to enjoy their performance. A highlight of the performance was when they covered Radiohead’s famous track ‘Creep.’ Here’s a Clip from Raue’s Instagram of Creep cover. This was a perfect way to capture the audience's attention and give them something to remember. Paige has the ideal voice to achieve the dynamic shifts of softly sung verses and the mighty long shouts of the chorus. Raue also performed original songs ‘Karma’ and ‘Ruby Glow’. Their sound and stage presence brought back that raw, filthy, and chaotic energy from 90s grunge bands like Nirvana and Screaming Trees, which is particularly impressive because the members have yet to hit their 20s! Raue’s throwback sound set the mood for a nostalgic performance from The Plain White T’s.
After Raue's angsty performance, the Plain White T’s were up next to slow things down a little. The Plain White T’s are a four-piece soft alternative pop rock band from Illinois. Members include multi-talented Tom Higgenson as the band’s lead vocalist (and sometimes you’ll find him playing keyboards or the acoustic guitar), Tim Lopez on lead guitar as well as backing and lead vocals, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Retondo, and De ’Mar Randell Hamilton on percussion. You can tell right away that these guys have spent the last 20 years making and playing music together as they play with perfect harmony and never miss a beat. They won the crowd with long-loved favorites like ‘Hey There Delilah’ and ‘1, 2, 3, 4’. These were two of their greatest hits, and the whole crowd sang, “Hey there, Delilah, what’s it like in New York City?” in unison, a moment of connection all the early 2000s kids have been yearning for. The Plain White T’s performed a perfect mix from across their discography with older, more nostalgic songs to tracks from their most recent Self-Titled album before ending their set with their popular hit ‘Rhythm of Love’ and welcoming The Used onto the stage next.
After a heart-warming and calm set from the Plain White T’s, it was time to switch up the vibe a bit with a gritty, loud, and riotous alternative rock band from Utah, The Used. They are a 4-piece band comprising the following members: Bert McCracken as lead vocalist, Jeph Howard on the bass and backing vocals, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist and backing vocalist Joey Bradford. As I waited for the performance to start, I noticed that their stage was adorned with a chain-link fence and chain-shaped mic stands, and many of their instruments had barbed-wire accents. A personalized stage setting like this shows their dedication to standing out with their individualism.
The energy of the entire audience shifted from ironically singing Taylor Swift’s ‘Our Song’ to being confused once the track warped into an announcement that stated that the concert had been canceled and where you could find your refund. This was so confusing while standing in the photo pit, but it was sure to be a playful trick as an intro, right? Everyone laughed it off, hoping it was a joke, and the member ran out to the stage. Before they were even able to play, someone in the crowd started a ruckus; I’m not sure what happened, but all the House of Blues security swarmed him, escorted him out, and Bert said, “Bye Bye” and left him with an endearing yet sarcastic wave. This showed the security and the band's dedication to making the concert a safe and enjoyable experience.
The Used immediately went into performing an array of their discography. I was surprised at how chaotic and metal (for lack of a better term) their performance was. Between their lively and thrashy stage presence, the crowd surfers, and the mosh pits, it all added up to make quite an intense set. The audience was incredibly excited when they played tracks like ‘The Bird and The Worm,’ ‘Blue and Yellow’ and, ‘Blow Me.’ A highlight of the performance was when Bert asked the crown to hold up their middle fingers at him and chant “Fuck You” over and over again before performing their track ‘Fuck You.’ The Used’s set was a wild wave from start to finish, blending theatricality, heavy riffs, and crowd interaction in a way only they could. Their unapologetic energy and connection with the audience made every moment feel unique to our night on the tour, from the sarcastic humor to the raw intensity of their performance. The Used knew how to push boundaries, creating an unforgettable experience that left the crowd buzzing long after the lights faded and the music stopped.
This night at House of Blues New Orleans was a perfect example of how diverse genres can come together to create a memorable concert experience. From the raw, filthy energy of Raue to the heartwarming, sing-along vibes of the Plain White T's, and finally, the chaotic, high-octane performance by The Used, the night showcased the incredible range of alternative music. Each band brought their unique style to the stage, but together, they created a seamless flow of emotion and sound that kept the audience engaged and on their toes. The intermingling of soft rock, grunge, and alternative punk made for an eclectic yet cohesive evening, proving that when it comes to live music, the blend of different genres can be more potent than any single sound.
*All photos courtesy of Rian Nickels - to see more, check out Rian's site below.
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