In Spotify, there’s a neat feature where if you follow an artist, the app will send you notifications whenever the artist goes on tour near you. A couple of months ago, I got the notification that Have Mercy was coming to Columbus, and I was ecstatic. 

Have Mercy is a four-piece rock band that hails from Baltimore, Maryland. My first introduction to the band was over eight years ago when I stumbled upon one of their singles, “Collider.” Since their start in 2011, Have Mercy has released eight albums and countless EPs and singles. 

Needless to say, the band has made its way around the sun a time or two. Their newest album, the loneliest place i’ve ever been, is set to release on August 29 of this year. The first single from the album, “august 17,” is available for streaming now and also has a place on their setlist for the tour they’re currently on. 

Longtime classic hard-rock band Emery is currently on tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album The Question. They brought along with them Good Terms and Have Mercy, and will be touring North America over the next couple of weeks. 

Opening the show, Good Terms set the stage with high energy and good vibrations that electrified the crowd. Between chanting “hell yeah” to the crowd and them returning it with “brother” and starting circle pits, they were a great opening act. 

With the crowd warm and ready, Have Mercy were up next, and I was vibrating with anticipation. I had insider knowledge that my favorite song, “Collider,” was not on the setlist, which left plenty of room for surprises and new music. The band’s set was loud, and with each flick of a guitar pick, I could feel the emotion of the lyrics resonating with both myself and other people in the crowd. Overall, they gave a fun performance that I was able to enjoy as both a fan and photographer. And if you ask nicely, Steve Wootteon– the band’s drummer–may even give you a drumstick. 

After two fantastic sets, Emery was set to take the stage. I’m not as familiar with the artist as I normally am for shows I attend, but in this case, it didn’t matter. The energy of the room hummed to life after they came on stage, and the crowd went crazy. Between moshing and screaming out the lyrics, every person in that room lit up with each song they played. Emery is a band that has truly mastered the art of live performances over the years, and I can say with absolute certainty that if you go to one of their shows, you will be left entertained and it’ll fill a craving for excitement and thrill you didn’t know you had.