Concert Reviews
THE MAINE: I LOVE YOU BUT I CHOSE: PITTSBURGH SHOW REVIEW
Anytime that Stage AE is packed to the brim with a crowd, you know you’re in for one hell of a show. Walking into The Maine’s set on April 14 instantly proved that point correct.
Emo/alternative rock group The Maine from Arizona has been around since 2007, and their 10th studio album just dropped on April 10. To celebrate the release of “Joy Next Door,” the band set out to Pittsburgh as a part of their “I Love You, But I Choose The Maine” 2026 tour.
In order to form a lineup that represents all eras of The Maine, the band chose to feature opening acts Friday Pilots Club, Nightly, and Grayscale.
Friday Pilots Club is one of the latest up-and-coming alternative rock bands. These guys have a talent and a passion, and they put both to use on the stage. Listening to their music before seeing them live, singer Caleb Hiltunen’s tone stands out as something that’s deep and stirring. Live, it’s just the same, if not better. In fact, their songs translate so well to a live experience that I could easily see a live album being one of their highest successes. Even those who did not know the band had an amazing time dancing along to their set.
Next, Nightly keeps the vibe cool and mellow, featuring the indie side of The Maine’s sound. The trio makes use of a color-changing <3 sign on stage that sets the aura and warms the crowd up to their music. Their setlist spins the audience through a world of effects, synths, and live skills. While I was not familiar with Nightly before the show, much of the crowd went crazy the second they stepped on stage, and the energy only rose as the set went on.
The last opener, Grayscale, is actually from Philadelphia, just on the other side of the state. Those who attended the Sad Summer Tour at Stage AE years ago will remember Grayscale and The Maine both on the bill, so it’s a nice nostalgia hit for long-time fans. Grayscale turns this show up to 100% with gritty vocals and breakdowns. Their harder rock style is the perfect precursor to get the audience on their feet. Not to mention the band kicks off some of the crowd surfing for the night.
Finally, long-awaited, The Maine takes the stage in a fog of smoke and low lights that slowly pull you into this callback of eras and celebration of what’s new. One of my favorite parts about The Maine is their ability to start on a softer note before turning the set into a disco dance party. Singer John O’Callaghan is a fabulous frontman whose energy is infectious. Needless to say, if John tells you to move your feet, you do! Their own set compiles songs from nearly all their albums and even adds in some deep cuts for those who have been around for a long time. It’s no surprise that musicians Jared Monaco, Garrett Nickelsen, Pat Kirch, and Kennedy Brock bring a level of expertise to the show that drives the night along without any hiccups.
The easiest way to put this tour into words is to say that it’s a night for those who want to feel, scream, laugh, and dance all at once.
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WITCH CLUB SATAN THE NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL TRIO CAME TO BALTIMORE AND NOT ONLY DID THEY SLAY THEY TOOK NO MERCY ON THE CROWD WITH THEIR ENTICING MUSIC.
THIS WAS THEIR FIRST TIME TOURING AMERICA AND THEY WERE AWESOME. ADDING FOLKLORE,WITCHCRAFT AND VISUAL ENTERTAINMENT, WCS BARES IT ALL FOR THE CROWD. I LOVED THE DIFF STYLES OF MUSIC FROM SPOKEN WORD TO DEATH METAL TO TRASH METAL THE BAND REALLY BLEW ME AWAY.
SONGS LIKE WILD WHORES, I WAS MADE BY FIRE, BLACK METAL IS KRIG, FRESH BLOOD/FRESH PUSSY AND SOLACE SISTERS. WCS PUT ON A SHOW THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED, WITH SOME BANDS USING THEATRICS AND GIMMICKS AS AN EXCUSE FOR MUSICIANSHIP, THIS BAND IS LEGIT AND TAKES YOU ON A JOURNEY FROM HIGH TO LOW. YES AT TIMES IT COULD BE SHOCKING WITH BLOOD AND SATANIC IMAGES AND NUDITY BUT THEN AGAIN THATS ALSO WHAT MAKES THE MESSAGE EVEN MORE POWERFUL.
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Electric Callboy came into the Maryland/DC area at the MGM Harbor and brought fans of all ages—from old to young—along for the ride. They were joined on this tour by Scene Queen and Polaris.
Scene Queen delivered a seriously fun set. She’s fully embraced what she’s coined as “bimbocore,” and I absolutely love it—and so do the fans. The crowd was already moshing and crowd surfing early on, and they kept that energy going all night long.
Polaris, from Australia, brought the metal. This was my first time seeing them, and they absolutely brought the kind of raw energy that drove the crowd wild. They played a killer set and are definitely a band to keep your eyes on.
Electric Callboy was the headliner, and they brought the rabid fans with them. Lots of people were dressed up in signature Callboy attire, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen so many young kids in a metal show crowd. Between all the costume changes, confetti, and streamers, Callboy delivered a killer set. They always put on a hell of a show—and always leave me questioning Germany: why haven’t you chosen them as your Eurovision entry?
We got to hear songs like “Hypa Hypa,” “We Got the Moves,” “Pump It,” “Hurrikan,” and many more. They also had an intimate moment during the set, right in the middle of the crowd, with a piano—performing acoustic versions of “Fuckboi” and a cover of “Everytime We Touch.”
The entire show was amazing—such a fun and wildly entertaining spectacle. I can’t wait to see them again.
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Infected Rain is now on tour with Stitched Up Heart and Blackwater Drowning and made a stop at Zen West with local kick ass band Anoxia.
The night crackled with electric energy and thrummed with unforgettable music. I loved that every band on the lineup featured powerful female vocalists—each with her own distinct style and stage presence, yet all of them fierce, commanding, and absolutely a force to be reckoned with.
It was an absolute thrill to see Lena and Infected Rain again. I love how they continue to evolve as a band and as a core of incredible artists every time I catch them live. I’ve been a fan for many years, and I always relish watching them perform—especially the way Lena connects with the crowd and her fans, which goes far beyond what most musicians ever offer. I would love to see them chosen as Moldova’s Eurovision entry, because we desperately need more rock and metal represented on that stage.
If this tour is rolling into your city, do yourself a favor and go check it out. It’s a phenomenal live show—the bands don’t just kick ass on stage, but they also happen to be some of the nicest, coolest people you’ll ever meet. You will not be disappointed. Plus, they’ve got some seriously killer merch that you absolutely need to snag while you’re there.
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THE NORWEGIAN WITCHES INVADE BALTIMORE
MARYLAND HAS GOT THE MOVES
Infected Rain brings the fun back into Baltimore
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