Ville Valo brings 'NEON NOIR' to the TLA for 2 SOLD OUT Shows

April 4, 2023

Ville Valo's return to Philadelphia has been a long time coming with his two solo shows announcing over a year ago but patients fans were rewarded as the Finnish rocker brought not only the tour of the year with him but quiet possibly the album of the year as well.

'Neon Noir' marked Valo's first release post HIM and the album was met to critical appraise from nearly every outlet in the industry. Valo's voice has aged fantastically over the year and the album is a true masterpiece of musicianly as Valo not only sang but performed/wrote every instrumental on the album as well. While not sonically different than much of his previous material with HIM the album showcased new energy that still channeled that classic sound we know from Ville Valo. To paraphrase one of the reviews "listening to it felt like catching up with an old friend you hadn't seen awhile who is doing really well now." Those who have listened to the album will likely understand that take more than those who haven't.

Ville Valo hit the stage just past 9PM as a light purple LED wash of lighting was cast around him and his touring band. Behind them a giant VV illuminated the sold out Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia that further burst to life as a full fledged heartagram came to life as the show started. To no surprise Valo started with material from his recently released solo album 'Neon Noir.' The crowd burst to life with joy as Valo strutted to the microphone standing and began belting out the haunting lyrics of "Echolocate Your Love" to start the evening off. The anticipation of the crowd reached a fever pitched in the minutes to Valo's arrival to stage and by the end of the first song it had spilled over as the crowd roared with applause - however their excitement would go even higher as Valo and his band moved quickly into the HIM mainstay "The Funeral of Hearts" before dipping back into some new material with the title track, "Neon Noir."


Through out the night Valo paced the set well as he jumped between delivering stunning renditions of classic HIM songs alongside his new solo material in a setlist that felt truly organic. All of the 'Neon Noir' material bled right into the HIM songs in a way that gave both material new life and new ways to shine. While Valo has always been praised for his artistry both on and off the stage there has never been a better era for the musician than the one we are currently experience. Valo on stage has truly never sounded better - from new songs to old songs and even some deeper cuts Valo commanded the stage with his performance. In terms of artistry his work has never been more critical than it is now, the fresh takes on "Neon Noir" cut like a fresh blade into the root of the world we are currently all trying to exist in and his older material with HIM has aged like fine wine with many of the songs possibly being more relevant artistically and lyrically today than when they were released.


Ville Valo has been an artistic force for multiple decades at this point and with each chapter he continues to surprise. 'Neon Noir' may have turned the page for the artist into a new era but that doesn't mean Valo is afraid to look back at the chapters that got him to this point. Valo remains on tour supporting 'Neon Noir' through May - though based on the response to this tour and nearly every date being sold out I'd wager a strong better we see Valo sooner than not back on stage in the state.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

By Matt Christine • April 1, 2025
On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages. The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note. Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media. One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up. The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. The crowd cheered at the announcement, and Tyson grinned, saying, “We’ve officially joined the Jonas extended universe.” As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting. In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.

Bishop Briggs hits Union Transfer for the "Tell Me Therapist I'm Fine" Tour

By Matt Christine • March 30, 2025
Bishop Briggs brought an electrifying storm to Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on the second-to-last stop of her “Tell My Therapist I’m Fine” tour—and if the title wasn’t already dripping in irony, her explosive set made it perfectly clear. Kicking off with “My Serotonin,” she transformed the venue into a cathartic dance party-meets-emotional bootcamp. It felt less like a concert and more like cracking open someone’s diary set to a thunderous bassline. From the jump, Briggs’ stage presence was nothing short of kinetic. She didn’t just command the stage—she treated it like an Olympic track, sprinting, leaping, and tearing across every corner without missing a note. During “Dark Side,” her energy swelled with the song’s intensity, delivering a performance that was equal parts spiritual purge and high-voltage rock ritual. “Woman Is King” arrived like a crown drop. Her voice soared, the crowd erupted, and in that moment, the track became less of a song and more of a statement—powerful, fearless, and unapologetically loud. It was the kind of performance that made you want to run through a wall or at least buy a leather jacket. The new single generated one of the best reactions from the crowd all night long and Briggs flashed more than one of her signature smiles from on stage during the emotional performance of the new track. Briggs didn’t just play a show—she led an emotional endurance test across 20 songs, and Philadelphia was more than willing to sweat it out with her from start to finish in this historic venue. If this was her version of therapy, then the rest of us were gladly booked in as co-patients.

Spencer Sutherland brings the "DRAMA" to Philadelphia at the Foundry

By Matt Christine • March 24, 2025
Spencer Sutherland lit up The Foundry in Philadelphia on March 20 with a headlining set that blended pop, soul, and showmanship in all the right ways. From the moment he hit the stage, his charisma was undeniable—commanding the crowd with powerful vocals and effortless swagger. Fans sang every word back to him, creating a room-wide chorus that felt more like a celebration than a concert. With emotional ballads, high-energy bangers, and a few unexpected twists, Sutherland proved he's not just riding momentum—he’s building a movement.