Willow sells out Philadelphia on her pop-punk 'Life Tour'

October 13, 2021

Willow's domination over the resurgence of pop-punk continued with a sold out show at the iconic Theater of Living Arts on South Street in Philadelphia.

Age has brought Willow Smith out of the experimental R&B/Pop scene and into the middle of a newly thriving generation of pop punk artists. It became clear after the release of "Transparent Soul" featuring Travis Barker earlier this summer that Willow had reached a musical crossroads and was going to venturing into a new sonic realm with her upcoming album. The song quickly climbed the charts when it was released in spring of 2021 and the full length album, "Lately I Feel Everything," would end up debuting at #5 on the Top Alternative Albums chart and #6 on the Top Independent Album chart. 


Riding the success of the new album it was announced that Willow would hit the road this fall for the 'Life Tour' with the majority of shows selling out weeks in advance including the October 12 show at the Theater of Living Arts. It may have been a Tuesday night but the city of Philadelphia was ready to party like it was a Saturday as the line for entry into the venue wrapped down South Street hours before doors were scheduled to open. Shortly after doors opened fans began to flow into the venue as fast as possible to either grab a position on the barricade or attempt to buy merchandise before it was gone. The venue was packed to capacity in what seemed like only a few short minutes after doors as the majority of eager fans arrived early and began to wait for the 9:30PM stage time for Willow.

As the house lights went dim and the purple washed stage came to life the crowd began to roar with anticipation for the start of the show. Dimly lit projections burst to life across the stage and Willow walked out to deafening screams from the crowd as she started the night of with "Transparent Soul." The crowd went insane, the energy of the Theater of Living Arts matched that of many of the iconic punk shows it has hosted in it's many years of operation - possibly even exceeding those before. As the crowd screamed along the lyrics it became clear that Willow had not only found her voice with this album but also the voices of a generation who were hungry for music that related to them.


Willow quickly ditched her guitar and moved right into the speedy "Gaslight" as the crowd continued to jump with such intensity that the floor could be felt moving from their energy. Willow saw their energy and matched it as she ran across the stage interacting with as many fans as possible during her rapidly paced songs. By the third song crowd surfers had begun to emerge from the densely packed crowd as Willow belted out the entirety of "GROW" and delivered Avril Lavigne's parts of the songs with the help of the hyped crowd.


The set remained focused on the future for Willow as she delivered nearly every song off "Lately I Feel Everything," much to the surprise and joy of the crowd as they sang every song back with as much energy as they could. The middle of the set also featured a few covers of The Anxiety that were well placed in the set and the fans still knew nearly all the words. Willow is no longer the girl telling you to 'whip your hair back and forth' - she's evolved into a complex artist with the weight of generation on her shoulders looking to find their place in overly complex world. With a support set for Billie Eilish on the horizon the future is bright for Willow as she continues to both save pop-punk and independent music all at once with her uniquely fresh take on the genres.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

Trivium and Jinjer bring the 'Ascend Above The Ashes Tour' to Lancaster

By Matt Christine • November 14, 2025
Trivium is back on the road in 2025 — and this time, they’ve brought Jinjer along for a blistering run across the U.S. on the “Ascend Above The Ashes Tour.” Over the last four years, the rock and metal world has seen a wild expansion of dream-team co-headlining and powerful support on tours, the kind fans never thought they’d see outside of wish lists. Rising metal powerhouse Jinjer has been in the international spotlight ever since they were forced to exit Slipknot’s 2022 tour to return home and support Ukraine’s war efforts. In the years since, they’ve become global ambassadors for both their country and the metal community. And even as the supporting act on this tour, the band was greeted by a massive turnout and a stage setup that matched their well-earned status in the scene. Their addition on this tour with Trivium was a match made in heaven (or hell) and a perfect compliment sonically. The band's 9 song setlist got the mosh pit moving and crowd surfers flowing ahead of the main event that evening. It may have been a Wednesday night , but you wouldn’t have known it based on the crowd’s energy leading up to Trivium’s 9:50 p.m. arrival. Pennsylvania showed once again why it has a reputation as one of the weirdest and yet strongest markets in the country for rock and metal. When the band’s massive stage slowly illuminated to reveal a dramatic backdrop, Trivium launched into their set with explosive force as strobes burst to blinding effects all around them. Trivium's 14 song set was a blistering pace of their greatest hits and new material that left little time for the band to chat with the crowd as they moved quickly from song to song. Frontman Matt Heafy nearly blended into the elaborate backdrop thanks to a jacket patterned almost identically, but he was impossible to miss as he tore across the stage from mic to mic, shredding through one technical assault after another. Much like Jinjer’s opening performance, Trivium delivered a razor-sharp, 80-minute set that pulled from across their expansive catalog. From the first crushing riff to the final crack of the snare, they gave Lancaster everything they had — and the packed pit gave it right back. Opening nights can often feel unpredictable, but Lancaster showed up ready, proving once again that this city doesn’t just attend shows — it sets the bar. If the rest of the “Ascend Above Ashes Tour” follows this lead, Trivium and Jinjer are in for one unforgettable run.

Taylor Acorn returns home to Pennsylvania at the Archer Music Hall

By Matt Christine • November 12, 2025
Taylor Acorn’s return to Pennsylvania to the Arrow at the Archer Music Hall in Allentown was a homecoming a long time coming after a massive year of touring and festival appearances. Just a few weeks after performing at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas - and fresh off wrapping The Summer School Tour - Taylor Acorn returned to Pennsylvania with clear momentum behind her. Touring in support of her newly released LP, she arrived at The Arrow at the Archer in Allentown with a setlist shaped around this new chapter of her sound. The fresh material wasn’t just sprinkled into the night; it was the thread that held the entire show together. And while Acorn hasn’t forgotten her roots in the pop-punk world, it’s obvious that these newer songs give her a wider lane to move in and let her shine bright onstage. The Arrow itself proved to be an ideal setting. The room was full but comfortable, with that sweet spot where you can feel the crowd’s energy without fighting for space. Warm lighting and a clear sightline from almost anywhere in the venue helped create a sense of connection the moment Acorn stepped out. It didn’t take long for the entire place to settle into a rhythm—heads nodding, hands in the air, and plenty of voices shouting back the lines they knew. Between songs, Acorn kept the energy light and the banter genuine. She shared quick stories, poked fun at herself, and made it clear she appreciated being back in her home state. Nothing dragged, nothing felt overly rehearsed—it all stayed grounded in the good-natured vibe that filled the room. By the end of the night, The Arrow at the Archer felt less like a tour stop and more like a celebration of where Acorn is right now: an artist still rooted in the scene that raised her, but growing fast and sounding sharper than ever. The crowd felt it, the room carried it, and Acorn made sure everyone left buzzing. A strong show, a great space, and the kind of night that makes you want to catch her again before the tour moves on.

Kaleo bring the 'Mixed Emotions Tour' to from Iceland to Allentown

By Matt Christine • September 19, 2025
On September 16, 2025, Icelandic rockers KALEO brought their Mixed Emotions Tour to Allentown’s Archer Music Hall, with Quarters of Change and Júníus Meyvant on the bill.