Starting October out in style on the first in downtown Ferndale, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, was the Rain City Drive tour promoting their new album “Things Are Different Now” and the line was down the block before doors opened. You knew with this many people in downtown Ferndale on a Wednesday night that it was going to be a blast and people were going to leave The Loving Touch on a natural high. I was pumped to walk in and see how many people were showing up. I have been to The Loving Touch many times an have never seen it wall to wall packed like it was October 1. With five different but yet cohesive bands on the list for the evening, first to play was Nightlife and this band from Baltimore was living up to their name.
Nightlife was incredibly fresh and an unexpected sound from a new listener, I turned immediate fan. The soul and energy that came from this group as soon as they came up on stage was so refreshing and exciting. I didn’t know what I was getting into despite listening to them on Spotify the days leading up to the show. They were a headlining quality band starting the show on an amazing note as the first opener, and the funky style of their music, along with the moves they had on stage had the crowd dancing, and I couldn’t fight the feeling to move myself. If you can, find them at a show near you because I guarantee you will enjoy their pretty chill yet incredibly fun music and set something you will crave to experience again. Nightlife Instagram
Another fun surprise band on the list was Siamese, a Danish band who calls themselves “a heavy mix of rock, R & B and heavy metal.” When they came on stage, with a violinist (who happened to have a skull shaped violin) I was ready for an amazing set. Not only did they have a really cool almost cinematic vibe, the music was incredible. The way they all moved seamlessly on the tiny stage but still with inescapable energy was beyond impressive. Lead vocalist, Mirza Radonjica, rocked the mic with his heavy vocal to singing transitions, getting the people on the floor moving in submission. This band is now added to my rotation on streaming services because they truly have a unique sound and got me moving, loving what I heard. The music reminds me of something you would hear on the soundtrack to action films, and I am here for Siamese from here on out. Check these guys out Siamese Instagram
Until I Wake pumped up the entire crowd before they came on, with new lead vocalist Jaali Cypher smiling as the fans cheered. The energy in the room rose as they stepped onto the stage, fans waiting to hear their newly released single “Hole Hearted.” This band did not disappoint. I have never seen them live, but they brought the love, and talent that really added to this tour as well. Jaali jumped to the floor at one point to give his instructions for a circle pit, before jumping back to the stage and seamlessly mixing his growl and screams with singing, showing the fans in The Loving Touch his talent with vocal abilities.
I was amongst the crowd congregated as close to the stage as possible for most of the show, and I was moving along with everyone else to every song they played. It was the heavy rock we needed to release all those inner feelings while we took it all in. Everyone in the band gave the energy and fire with every song played, making them a new favorite among many in the crowded venue. They are a band you definitely want to experience live in the near future. Until I Wake Instagram
A seemed-to-be favorite of all of the bands on stage as they were grateful and excited to be part of this tour was Belmont– the way all of the supporting acts hyped Belmont up before their set you could tell the bands were all enjoying their time with the band from Illinois. Their set was vibrant and full of energy as their lead vocalist Taz Johnson was bouncing across the stage in a hyper fit while he spat some impressive lyrics from some of their wider known tracks. A rock band that was comfortable with their own skin, the energy was felt throughout the entire venue and the set was packed with songs reminiscent of good times. I was new to Belmont before the show and was not expecting what was about to be on stage. It’s clear this band is confident and have a ton of fun performing and on tour. Check them out the next time they roll through your town. Belmont Instagram
The Headliner for the evening was an un-surprising hit with Rain City Drive. This band with their deep lyrics, heartfelt songs and their unique sound are gaining more and more popularity with their new singles “Frozen” and “Concrete Closure.” With the release of their new album, “Things Are Different Now,” on September 27, 2024, their tour started Autumn 2024 on the absolute best foot and has caused me to have every band that they brought along for the awesome ride on repeat since the show.
It was one hell of a lineup for this tour, bringing a musically diverse roster of talented bands from around the United States making every stop on tour an incredibly entertaining and fun experience with fans chasing the next show. It was a natural feel-good high that you don’t want to come down from.
The members of Rain City Drive all started the show on the stage, interacting with the fans as they set up for their first song of the night “Frozen.”.” As soon as the song began, the crowd screamed and started dancing along to the beat. It was such a banger and Matt McAndrew’s vocals were on point the entire evening. Even when the audio cut out multiple times, the band professionally played while they waited for Matt’s mic to kick back on and he continued as if nothing happened- I was so impressed with how they handled the hard to notice hiccups.
The playful interactions between drummer Zack Baker and guitarist Felipe Sanchez were so entertaining between songs and never missing a beat as they made faces while playing. This band has fun and played so many of their incredible hits from their new album and the previous two, a setlist that no doubt had fans new and old leaving the venue after the show streaming the band on the way home to keep that feeling alive. Bassist Colin Vieira and Guitarist Weston Richmond both worked the stage like they owned it, and played every song flawlessly. The lighting was on point and so much fun hitting every color on the spectrum.
It was such an impressive and beautifully curated show from start to finish. Favorites such as “Prayers,” “Witch Hunt,” “Over Me,” “Wish you the Best,” “Eye Opener,” “Concrete Closure,” “Sacrifice,” “Medicate Me,” and other hits by the band were played during the set, with the emotional “Neverbloom” following vocalist Matt McAndrew’s explanation that he wrote this for the feelings of the loss of his father. It was such an amazing mix of their heavier songs with their more emotional subject and slower songs intertwined keeping the crowd on their feet and attentive the entire show through.
I have been a fan for years, with this being my first time seeing them live. The energy in the room was palpable, the vocals and music were such a vibe and full of feeling. Everyone in the room wanted to be up close and personal with the stage, and it was a beyond perfect way to start the month. It left me wishing the band went all night and wondering if any future hits on the tour were manageable to travel to attend. I have never seen The Loving Touch filled wall to wall the times I have been there and for good reason. If you haven’t experienced any of these bands on tour you really are missing out. Rain City Drive knew what they were doing when they put this tour together, because through all five bands anyone attending could find something they enjoyed.
This show, as a fan, was a bucket list item, and I loved hearing all of my favorites played with the soothing vocals of Matt McAndrew and the talent of the entire band. I am used to more heavy shows and this was what I needed for my soul that week. Their music takes you to another place, far away from the everyday pain and anxiety. If you have things you need to work through, Rain City Drive has probably written about it in one of their three albums as a band leaving you feeling less alone and more relatable. I would attend this concert over and over again if I could.
Rain City Drive as a whole showed how down-to-earth they are, and in a world full of egos in the music world, this was such a pleasant experience seeing them enjoy themselves, be humble while not trying to over hype themselves up during their set. This is a group of guys who seem to enjoy who they are, what they create musically, and have such a fun dynamic that many of us wish we could emulate in our own lives.
This doesn’t feel like a group of friends on that stage it feels like a cool family. Their shows are top tier entertainment and I have been missing that feeling since they left the stage. They answered the crowds chant of “one more song” and delivered three more much to the delight of everyone in the room. This show is beyond worth it and being able to enjoy songs of their new and highly-anticipated recent album release, and it’s one I will never miss when they return to the Detroit area. Support them at one of their U.S. tour stops this fall!
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