Search

After four years away from touring, Harlow took over Brooklyn Paramount with new music, fan-favorite throwbacks, and a sold-out crowd ready to welcome him back. Article & Photography Contributed by Miranda Wyman. After four years away from touring, Jack Harlow made his long-awaited return to the stage on Tuesday, August 4, kicking off The Monica Tour with a sold-out show at the Brooklyn Paramount in Brooklyn, New York. For an opening night, there was already a feeling in the room that this was more than just another tour stop. Fans packed the venue for the sold out show, ready to see what Harlow would bring to his return on stage after the hiatus. Jack Harlow performing at Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY. | Photography by Miranda Wyman (@shotbymiranda on IG.) The night began with Clockwork DJ, an American DJ, producer, and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. Clockwork spent around 30 minutes warming up the crowd with a mix of songs meant to keep the energy high. Throughout his set, he made sure to show love to the surrounding areas, shouting out NYC, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Jersey, and Philadelphia. By the end of his 30 minutes onstage, the room was fully warmed up and ready for the rest of the night. Harlow's second opener was James Savage, a rising R&B artist based out of Louisville, Kentucky. With Harlow also coming out of Louisville, having another artist from the city on the opening night lineup made the pairing feel especially fitting. After Savage finished his set and the stage was cleared, anticipation continued to build throughout the Brooklyn Paramount. James Savage performing at Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY. Photography by Miranda Wyman (@shotbymiranda on IG.) As the opening notes of "Trade Places" filled the venue, the crowd erupted. After four years without a full tour, there was no hesitation in his return. Jack Harlow stepped back onto the stage like he had never left, immediately settling into the confidence and relaxed stage presence fans have come to expect from him. Jack followed the album's tracklist with "Lonesome" and "Prague." Monica moves away from the hip-hop sound heard throughout his earlier work and instead leans into a slower, more laid-back R&B style. After "Prague," though, he switched directions. The opening notes of "Luv Is Dro" from his 2020 album That's What They All Say instantly brought another wave of excitement through the crowd. He followed it with "Like a Blade of Grass" from 2022's Come Home the Kids Miss You, and the throwbacks quickly became some of the biggest crowd moments of the early part of the night. The songs on Monica slowed things down, while the older tracks brought the energy right back up. Jack Harlow didn't separate the night into different eras of his career. Instead, he moved back and forth between them, keeping longtime fans guessing what they might hear next. Jack Harlow performing at Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY. Photography by Miranda Wyman (@shotbymiranda on IG.) Harlow continued with "Already Best Friends," his hit collab with Chris Brown from That's What They All Say, before moving back into Monica with "My Winter" and "Move Along." "Route 66" and "Way Out" brought the show back to 2020, followed by "Nail Tech," one of Harlow's biggest singles from the Come Home the Kids Miss You era. Every time the crowd settled into the slower pace of the Monica songs, another familiar beat would hit and send the energy right back up. Looking out at the sold-out Brooklyn Paramount, he took in the crowd before acknowledging just how long it had been since he had done this. "This is my first tour in four years, and it feels so good to be back," Harlow told the audience. The moment felt especially fitting on opening night. Rather than immediately moving into another song, Harlow spent some time talking to the crowd and reflecting on his previous years on the road. He shared memories from his last tour, explaining how he and his brother would set up microphones inside different hotel rooms while traveling from city to city. After performing each night, new ideas would sometimes come to him, and instead of waiting until he returned home or got back into a proper studio, he wanted to capture them immediately. Those late-night hotel room recording sessions became part of his creative process while touring. Jack Harlow performing at Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY. Photography by Miranda Wyman (@shotbymiranda on IG.) The story gave the crowd a small look behind the scenes at what life on the road had been like for Harlow and also helped introduce one of the night's more personal moments. He followed the story with "Denver" from his 2023 album Jackman. The song is more reflective and personal than much of Harlow's earlier work, and hearing it after his story about touring made it feel even more connected to the moment. He stayed with Jackman for the next few songs, performing "No Enhancers," "They Don't Love It," and "Is That Ight." From there, he shifted back into Monica with "All of My Friends," "Living Alone," and "Against the Grain." Throughout the night, Harlow continued to bounce between the different stages of his career instead of sticking with one album for too long, and that became one of the things that made the set work so well. Newer songs were constantly surrounded by tracks longtime fans had grown up listening to, giving both sides of his catalog their moment. And then he really took it back. Harlow reached further into his catalog with songs from his 2018 project Loose and 2019's Confetti. The second "Sundown" began, it became clear just how many longtime Jack Harlow fans were packed into the Brooklyn Paramount. "Warsaw" followed before he moved into "Ghost" and "Thru the Night," and Harlow couldn't help but acknowledge the reaction he was getting from the crowd. He joked about having some "real ones" in the building who knew the songs from well before his mainstream breakthrough. For fans who had been following Harlow before "WHATS POPPIN" turned him into a household name, this part of the set felt like a reward. Songs from Loose and Confetti don't necessarily represent the Jack Harlow casual listeners may know today, but inside the sold-out Brooklyn Paramount, plenty of people knew every word. Before performing "Thru the Night," Harlow also took a moment to shout out fellow Louisville native Bryson Tiller, who is featured on the song. Both artists were born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, making the collaboration one that has always carried a little hometown pride with it. Jack Harlow performing at Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY. Photography by Miranda Wyman (@shotbymiranda on IG.) That connection became even more special that night when Harlow told the audience that "Thru the Night" had officially gone Platinum that very day, August 4. The milestone meant the song had reached the equivalent of one million units sold in the United States. From there, Harlow kept the throwbacks coming, moving into some of the biggest songs from the next chapter of his career. "Churchill Downs" kicked off the run, followed by "Dua Lipa," both from his 2022 album Come Home the Kids Miss You. At this point in the night, the Brooklyn Paramount had turned into one massive sing-along, with fans shouting nearly every word back at him. He followed with "SUVs (Black on Black)," his 2021 collaboration with Pooh Shiesty, before going even further into his catalog for "Movie Star" and "I Wanna See Some Ass." Instead of building a show almost entirely around Monica, he was giving longtime fans songs from every era of his career. The second "INDUSTRY BABY" started, the energy inside the room shot right back up. From the barricade to the balcony, the sold-out Brooklyn Paramount seemed to know every word. With so much of the night's setlist moving between the slower R&B sound of Monica and the rap-heavy songs that built Harlow's career, this stretch was a reminder of just how many different versions of Jack Harlow have existed over the years. There was the hungry Louisville rapper from Loose and Confetti, the breakout star behind songs like "SUVs" and "INDUSTRY BABY," and now the more mature, laid-back artist heard throughout Monica. Jack Harlow performing at Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY. Photography by Miranda Wyman (@shotbymiranda on IG.) Jack spoke about the COVID lockdown and how much of his first album was written while he was living in an apartment in Atlanta. With touring put on hold and the world essentially shut down, Harlow said that period gave him the time to sit with his music and create in a different way. He explained that the next song came from that time and that he recorded it in just one take. That song was "Tyler Herro." The track immediately brought the energy back up, but the story behind it gave the performance a little more meaning. After "Tyler Herro," Harlow took another moment to speak directly to the fans. "If you spend money on a ticket, I really don't take it lightly. Thank you so much," he told the crowd. It was a simple comment, but it felt genuine. Throughout the night, Harlow acknowledged how much it meant to him to be touring again, and by the end of the show, it was clear he wasn't taking the return for granted. Jack Harlow performing at Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY. Photography by Miranda Wyman (@shotbymiranda on IG.) "WHATS POPPIN" kicked off the final three-song run and instantly sent the room into another frenzy. The song helped launch Harlow into the mainstream and, even years later, still got one of the biggest reactions of the night. He followed with "First Class," another career-defining hit, before closing the night with "Lovin on Me." By then, nearly the entire venue was on its feet, singing along as Harlow brought opening night to a close. For a tour built around an album that shows a softer and more R&B-focused side of Harlow, opening night never forgot where he came from. The set pulled from nearly every stage of his career, from Loose and Confetti to That's What They All Say, Come Home the Kids Miss You, Jackman, and now Monica. The older songs brought some of the loudest reactions of the night, while the new material showed where Harlow is headed next. Together, they made The Monica Tour feel less like a simple album tour and more like a look back at the career that brought him to this point. After four years away from touring, Jack Harlow didn't just return to the stage in Brooklyn. He reminded everyone why they missed him.

With “Silvering Blade,” Jazmin has tapped into something unsettling and delightful, a reminder to never judge a book by its cover because things aren’t always what they seem. Release Date: July 10, 2026 Released via: Interscope Records Article Contributed by Brooke Dougherty Photography provided by Zak Watson | @zak_watson / UMG With the release of their newest single “Silvering Blade,” London-based Jazmin Bean continues to challenge alt pop-star expectations. Since emerging at 16 years old, singer-songwriter, visual creative, and globally acclaimed multimedia artist Jazmin has gained a devoted global following and has collected over 400 million streams across various platforms. The newest single follows in the footsteps of “Darling,” and is a haunting reminder that sometimes the most intoxicatingly beautiful things are the most dangerous. “Silvering Blade” Will Put You Under Its Spell “Silvering Blade” opens with an ethereal piano melody that feels like wandering through a flower-covered forest at dusk. It is the kind of place that seems strangely tempting, but darkness lies within. “I feel so pretty when I dress up. Glass and ribbons, I am never the same. I’m a princess, I’m electric (Shock.) I could cut you like a silvering blade.” The lyrical juxtaposition of shiny, dainty objects with a sharp blade mirrors the instrumentation perfectly. As Jazmin whispers “shock” beneath the vocals, one thing is clear: nothing is quite what it seems. “Spiky, malicious. I’ll cut you, I’m vicious. Once was delicious (Shock.) But now I’m just vicious.” The song itself puts the listener in a trance with its hazy, siren-esque production. The echo of the vocals plays tricks on your mind. “Hedonistic, putting on my lipstick. First I shine bright, then I wither and fade. I’m a princess, I’m electric, shock. And I’ll cut you like a silvering blade.” Under the surface, it seems the narrator is almost stuck in their own cycle. They present themselves as alluring and untouchable, yet quietly reveal someone who has grown weary of living behind that sharp exterior. The use of the harpsichord adds to the mirage as layered harmonies spill in. The spell has been set and it’s too late to turn back now. “My words are sharp like stalactite. My lungs glimmer, Amazonite. To shine, to shine, to shine. To shine, to shine, to shine. To shine, to shine, to shine.” As the song fades out, the ending is reminiscent of opening an old music box you’ve just found in an abandoned attic. Powerful and alluring, you have no idea what strange magic is lurking within. FINAL RATING: 9.8/10 Offering us a glimpse into their euphoric and creative world, Jazmin Bean’s “Silvering Blade” showcases dreamy, melodic instrumentation that disguises some of the song’s sharpest lyrical edges. Jazmin continues to blur the lines between songwriter and multimedia artist, carving out a creative world that is entirely their own. Ultimately, "Silvering Blade” proves that Jazmin Bean isn’t here to compete. They are here to transcend the earthly plane and take their listeners with them.

With "Vending Machine," Valley takes a close look at the emotional cost of being loved only when it's convenient. Release Date: June 12, 2026 Released via: Capitol Records/Universal Music Canada Article Contributed by Brooke Dougherty Cover of new single “Vending Machine” by Valley Since forming in 2016, the three-piece, Canadian alternative-pop trio Valley, made up of Rob Laska, Alex DiMauro, and Karah James, have built a reputation for pairing playful indie-pop production with emotionally honest songwriting. Now entering a colorful new era, "Vending Machine" marks Valley's first single since 2024's Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden. The track explores the quiet compromises people make to earn affection. When Love Becomes a Performance “Vending Machine” immediately opens up with the question “Do you need to be entertained,” before the drums and smooth electronic guitars crash in. This opening question immediately sets the scene for a song that explores the transactional give and take within relationships. “You walk in like a miracle. Kiss like a chemical. Head spinnin’ in vertigo. Shaking me down to the bone.” The narrator is clearly smitten with his partner, but it doesn’t take long to see that this relationship is painfully one-sided. Even as he’s being used, he seems willing to accept whatever affection he’s offered. The pace quickens as the bridge echoes, “You better learn to love yourself honey. Oh. I don’t even want your money at all. Oh.” Stripping down the instrumentation to just the drum beat and a deep guitar riff, the singer’s vocals are center stage for the chorus, almost mirroring the vulnerable state he’s in. “Take whatever you want from me. You fell in love with the vending machine. Take whatever you want from me. You fell in love with the vending machine.” The narrator seems to be wrestling with own self-worth, going back and forth between thinking he can leave at any time and being completely at his lover’s command. “Lock me like an animal. To the edge of self-control. Chew me! Spit me! Kick me out the door! But baby baby I’m a carnivore. You better love to learn yourself honey. Oh. I don’t even need your loving at all.” It isn’t clear whether the statement about attaining self love is directed at himself or the person he’s with, a playful turn of phrase that leaves the listener guessing. Slowing down even further, mirroring the slow demise of a conditional and performative relationship such as this, the final lyrics lay bare to the brutal truth. “Take whatever you want from me. You fell in love with a version of me.” At the end of the day, maybe his lover could only fall in love with a version of himself he believed that she wanted to see. Now he feels trapped. Pretending to be someone you’re not to be loved; the ultimate two-edged sword. Valley is Back and Already Has Us Hooked With a colorful and introspective new era, Valley is asking the real questions about connection and what we’re willing to put up with to be loved. The vending machine becomes a metaphor for emotional objectification. Rather than loving the person standing in front of them, the narrator's partner only reaches for him when there's something to gain. Alongside the new single, Valley dropped an accompanying music video for “Vending Machine.” The music video doubles down on the song’s theme of performance and illusion. Set inside what appears to be a dollhouse manipulated by a clown, Valley performs surrounded by surreal details and shifting perspectives that blur the seams between fantasy and reality. Like the lyrics themselves, the video asks the audience to question what is authentic and what is simply being staged. Final Verdict: 9/10 At three minutes and 31 seconds, the indie-pop production of “Vending Machine” is relaxed and nostalgic, giving a nod to the likes of The Band CAMINO, Hippo Campus, Cage the Elephant, and Saint Motel. It’s the kind of song that’s perfect for a Sunday afternoon walk in the park or a road trip to the beach with your friends. With its vibrant, radio-friendly hooks, introspective lyricism, and feel-good production, Vending Machine is a song to add to your summer playlist.

SoundCheck Mag, an online concert photography publication, goes beyond the barricade with interviews and live coverage. Vol. 02 Issue 02 featuring Franklin Jonas, out now. CURRENT ISSUE VOL. 02, ISSUE 02 Beyond the barricade, behind the music. and the Byzantines Franklin Jonas Quick View Digital Copy SoundCheck Mag – Vol. 2 Issue 2 - Digital Copy Price $10.99 Quick View Print Copy SoundCheck Mag – Vol. 2 Issue 2 - LIMITED EDITION COPY Price $16.99 Quick View NEW RELEASE SoundCheck Mag – Vol. 2 Issue 1 - PHYSICAL COPY Price $16.99 Quick View Digital Copy SoundCheck Mag Vol. 2 Issue 1 -DIGITAL COPY Price $9.99 Quick View NEW RELEASE Concert Photographer Playbook - DIGITAL COPY Price $5.99 Quick View SoundCheck Mag – Vol. 1, Issue 7 - DIGITAL COPY Regular Price $12.99 Sale Price $5.99 Quick View NEW RELEASE SoundCheck Mag – Vol. 1, Issue 7 - PHYSICAL COPY Regular Price $18.99 Sale Price $10.99 Quick View SoundCheck Mag – Vol. 1, Issue 5 - PHYSICAL COPY Regular Price $14.99 Sale Price $10.99 Benten’s Newest EP Has Perfected the Soundtrack to Happy Heartbreak 7/31/26, 2:02 PM Brooke Dougherty Train Celebrates 25 Years of Drops of Jupiter at PNC Bank Arts Center 7/30/26, 8:40 PM Miranda Wyman Bea Elmy Martin Turns Grief Into Something Beautiful on Under the Yew (Vol.2) 7/30/26, 2:23 PM Shyanne Vaden Kiss The Scientist Captures the Rite of Passage of Young Love in "Life You Want" 7/28/26, 2:03 PM Brooke Dougherty Marlon Hoffstadt & southstar Bottle The Thrill of a Night Out On "I Like" 7/26/26, 2:34 PM Brooke Dougherty All Stories

Have you attended a concert of your favorite band or artist? Do you have a story to tell? We'd love to feature you in SoundCheck Mag! Fill out this page to share your story. You might even be featured in a future issue of the mag. Fan Lens Soundcheck Mag is here to highlight the full spectrum of the music experience. Whether we are covering rising stars or established icons, our goal is to bring immersive fan perspectives to the forefront, celebrating the passion that connects music lovers across all levels of the industry. We strive to create spaces where fans can share their experiences with their favorite artists, industry professionals, and fellow music lovers—whether through exclusive interviews, fan spotlights, or interactive features that highlight the heart of the music community. Share Your Experience Complete the below form to share your latest concert experience, your growing obsession, or the artist you fully stan. We may feature you in an upcoming issue of the magazine! We may contact you to discuss your experience in more detail. Ensure to provide a valid e-mail address you regularly check so we may contact you. First Name Last Name Email Phone Who is the band/artist/musician? Share a Selfie or Fave Moment Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Share Your Story Send Thank you for sharing your story. I want to subscribe to the magazine.

Here we offer artists the ability to submit their information for a featured article covering them and their story! ARTIST SUBMISSION Are you a musician? Do you know a musician, band, or talent that is prime for the spotlight? Submit an artist today. Artists who are submitted may be the cover story or featured in a future issue of SoundCheck Mag! Your Full Name* Your Email* Band/Artist/Talent* Artist's Page/Website* Why should this artist should be featured?* I am:* Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Submit Do You Know a Concert Creative Worthy of a Feature? Whether they're a photographer, videographer, choreographer, lighting tech or anything in between, you can submit them for a chance at a full-length feature in a future issue of SoundCheck Mag through our RAW Spotlight! Submit Here!