Article and Photos Contributed by Rachel Catherine MUNA performing at Masonic Temple in Detroit, MI | Photography by Rachel Catherine (IG: rachelcatherineee) MUNA got so hot in Detroit on Wednesday night! They truly delivered a non-stop wave of catchy bangers and soaring anthems; the energy was off the charts. Hemlocke Springs kicked off the show, opening the evening with playful chaos, eccentricity, and infectious charisma that contagiously raised the crowd’s excitement for the show and set the bar high for the rest of the night. Hemlocke Springs performing at Masonic Temple in Detroit, MI | Photography by Rachel Catherine (IG: rachelcatherineee) When MUNA stepped on stage, the atmosphere changed. It became electric, and it was HOT! Katie’s strong and commanding lead vocals were paired perfectly with Naomi’s synth production and backing vocals. Combined with Josette’s backing vocals and her sharp guitar lines, the venue felt vividly alive. The chemistry between the trio is palpable and magnetic–there was a genuine connection between the three of them that radiated from the stage directly into the audience. From the beginning of their set to the encore, there was never a dull moment where the momentum fell short, nor was the crowd’s enthusiasm lost. The energy between the band and the crowd was completely unmatched. They fed off of each other’s excitement and passion for the music that was being played. MUNA performing at Masonic Temple in Detroit, MI | Photography by Rachel Catherine (IG: rachelcatherineee) By the end of the night, the crowd was left buzzing and on a high of joy and the good kind of sweaty feeling after a great night out. The Gets So Hot Tour is proof that MUNA doesn’t just entertain and put on a good show, but they know how to leave a lasting impression and a damned good one to remind everyone in the room exactly what live music is supposed to feel like.

The Linda Lindas brought the noise, the energy, and a whole lot of punk rock to the House of Blues Chicago. The Linda Lindas at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery) Article Contributed by Ernesto Raul Aguilar. Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar. On a rainy Chicago night at the House of Blues, The Linda Lindas played with VIAL and Flower at Her Feet in a performance that moved through three versions of punk and alternative rock, each group bringing its own energy to the stage. Flowers at Her Feet opened the night and set the tone immediately. Their set faced the difficult task of catching a room still filling in. The performance had an intimacy that contrasted with the restless energy that followed. Flowers at Her Feet at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery) VIAL leaned into that energy. The band from Minneapolis gave the room a sharper, more confrontational edge with a fast, loose, and deliberately abrasive performance that included a moment when KT Branscom spotted a loose knot of bodies trying to mosh. VIAL at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery) They waved the crowd wider to create a big empty circle and set the floor for the next song's release. VIAL’s set never felt like a mere transition between the first act and the headliner; instead, they took control of their time on stage and gave the audience a second, distinct identity before the night changed again. The Linda Lindas closed the night For a band whose story has often been tied to how young its members were when first discovered, the key takeaway from their House of Blues performance was how irrelevant that part of the story has become. The Linda Lindas at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery) The viral performance of “Racist, Sexist Boy” introduced The Linda Lindas to a huge audience and became part of the mythology surrounding the band. Viral moments for young performers can backfire, often freezing them at the moment the public first notices them. For The Linda Lindas, they kept writing, recording, touring, and developing in public, and that was evident onstage They had the confidence of a band that has accumulated time together. They moved naturally between vocals and instruments, each bringing a different character without disrupting the group's identity. No one tries to force one person into the traditional front-person role. The stage feels democratic, which remains one of the band's strengths. They are becoming a genuinely seasoned live band, capable of carrying a room through their songs, chemistry, and lived experience. The Linda Lindas at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery) That translated into an energetic set that retained its rough edges and humor. The Linda Lindas no longer appear as just a curiosity or a band audiences watch because of what they might become; the evolution is happening. The crowd responded accordingly. This was not an audience politely watching a young band develop. It was a crowd reacting to a band fully capable of commanding a stage. That may be the most interesting part of The Linda Lindas' trajectory: their story began with age being impossible to ignore, but with every record and tour, it becomes less important. And on a night shared with Flowers at Her Feet and VIAL, The Linda Lindas didn't need the surrounding story to carry the show; the music did.

Photography and Review by Hannah Mary Hampton Julia Wolf brought her Deep End World Tour to Philly this past Wednesday, September 30, delivering an emotionally charged night that showcased exactly why the New York singer has continued to build such a devoted audience. Photography by Hannah Mary Hampton | IG: @hannahmarymedia Nearly 4 years after Wolf first headlined Philadelphia at The Foundry at The Fillmore in February 2023, she has made her return. This time commanding the significantly larger Franklin Music Hall! Wolf has continued to expand her audience, including performing alongside MGK, Sleeping With Sirens, Pierce The Veil, and more. The growth has been impossible to miss. What makes Wolf particularly compelling is the intimacy she creates even in a larger room. Her music has always carried a confessional quality, and seeing those songs performed in front of a packed Philadelphia crowd amplified that feeling. There was a sense that fans weren’t simply watching an artist perform, they were experiencing songs that had become personal to them alongside hundreds of other people who felt the same way. Photography by Hannah Mary Hampton | IG: @hannahmarymedia The contrast between Wolf’s 2023 Philadelphia show and Wednesday night’s performance was perhaps the most striking part of the evening. What was once a rising artist playing a smaller room has become a fully realized headlining act capable of owning a significantly larger stage. Philadelphia wasn’t simply another stop on the Deep End World Tour; it was evidence of how far she’s come. By the time the final songs arrived, Franklin Music Hall felt less like a venue and more like a collective release. Wolf’s ability to turn intensely personal experiences into something thousands of people can scream back at her is ultimately what makes her live shows so effective. Photography by Hannah Mary Hampton | IG: @hannahmarymedia Philadelphia was ready for her. And judging by Wednesday night’s response, Julia Wolf is more than ready for what comes next.

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!

A place for fans to submit their concert materials including photos, videos, and best moments from their favorite shows and artists. A collective archive of unfiltered fan magic. Welcome to The Vault: Fan Edition— a fan-built digital archive, curated by SoundCheck Mag. This isn’t just a place to drop photos or stories. It’s a sacred space for everything that makes fandom electric, chaotic, and real. Think backstage tears, parking lot parties, pit selfies, polaroids taped to your mirror, or the TikTok you made at 2AM when your favorite artist announced a tour. Every whisper, every scream, every spark—preserved. Because your moments are the ones worth remembering. We’re collecting: Concert footage (any era, any vibe) Fan edits, memes, and handmade signs Outfit pics, DIY merch, posters Emotional breakdowns (written, audio, or video—we want them all) Art, letters, journals, and unreleased fan content Anything from the before, during, or after that tells your story No filters. No pressure. Just you, being a fan. Why “The Vault”? Because these are the things you save. The videos you watch on loop. The ticket you kept in your wallet. The blurry photo that somehow means everything. The industry documents the stage. We document the soul. UNLOCK THE VAULT. ADD YOUR MOMENTS TODAY. First name* Last name* TikTok Handle (For Credit) Instagram Handle (For Credit) Email* A window will open once you submit to upload your files to a DropBox. Thank you. Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Submit

LJ (Laura Jean) Portnoy is the Chief Executive Officer of SoundCheck Mag. About LJ Portnoy Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer, Midwest Photography Coverage, & Editor-In-Chief of SoundCheck Mag A Life Behind the Lens For LJ Portnoy, photography isn’t just a profession—it’s a way of preserving moments, emotions, and artistry. Her journey behind the lens began at an early age, inspired by a family friend who worked as a photographer. She spent countless hours recreating photoshoots with her best friend, discovering the magic of capturing emotion through the camera. But it wasn’t until she attended her first concert at thirteen that she found her true calling. "There was something about freezing a moment in time—the energy, the movement, the connection between the artist and the audience. I knew I wanted to be part of that world," she recalls. Her deep connection to concert photography became even more personal following the tragic loss of a close friend and fellow photographer, Olivia, at just 17 years old. "She was one of the most gifted photographers I had ever met. I promised myself I would continue capturing everything in her honor, creating magical moments the way she did for others." With that promise in mind, LJ immersed herself in the world of live music photography, continuously pushing the boundaries of her craft. The Moment That Changed Everything One of LJ’s defining moments as a photographer came when she photographed Sabrina Carpenter. "The excitement, the realness, the visual energy—it all swirled together to create magic," she says. The images quickly gained traction, amassing over 850,000 views across social media platforms and spreading through fan communities, Google, X, and Instagram. That experience became a turning point. "Seeing my work resonate on that level gave me the confidence to truly pursue this. It was proof that my art had a place in the industry. From that moment on, I never looked back." The Art of Capturing Real LJ’s approach to photography is deeply intentional. She describes her style as capturing beauty, raw emotion, and realness—always with a strong focus on the eyes. "If you can capture someone’s soul, everything else falls into place," she explains. She also embraces the ever-evolving nature of photography. "The best part of being a photographer is that you never have to stick to just one thing. You can always experiment, always grow. That’s what keeps it exciting." Building SoundCheck Mag SoundCheck Mag was born out of a shared vision between LJ and Rebecca McDevitt—a vision to amplify artists beyond the mainstream and celebrate the full spectrum of live music. "We saw an opportunity to showcase the indie and underground music scene in a way that other publications weren’t," LJ explains. "While major outlets focus on global superstars, we wanted to highlight the rising artists, the creatives behind the scenes, and the fans who make live music what it is." More than just a publication, SoundCheck Mag is a community-driven platform designed to bring artists, fans, and industry professionals together. Through artist spotlights, behind-the-scenes stories, and fan-submitted experiences, the magazine offers a unique perspective that goes beyond the surface. Our Mission: Beyond the Headlines While many publications chase headlines from headlining artists, SoundCheck Mag is about telling stories. "Our mission is to take you deeper inside the music you love, while helping you discover the next big thing along the way," LJ says. "We want to highlight the full picture of the industry—from the musicians on stage to the tour managers, lighting technicians, and photographers who make it all happen." The Future of SoundCheck Mag Though launched in February 2025, the magazine has already made waves. But for LJ, this is just the beginning. She envisions SoundCheck Mag growing into a leading force in music media, with: Monthly digital & print issues featuring exclusive interviews, concert galleries, and deep dives into the industry. Brand partnerships & sponsorships to bring fans closer to their favorite artists. Exclusive behind-the-scenes content from concerts, festivals, and major music events. Live events, ticket giveaways, and artist collaborations that elevate the fan experience. "We want to bring fans closer to the music in ways they’ve never imagined," she says. "From backstage access to in-depth artist features, we’re creating a magazine that truly immerses you in live music." Leading SoundCheck Mag As Co-founder, CEO, Midwest Photography Coverage lead, and Editor-in-Chief, LJ wears multiple hats to bring SoundCheck Mag’s vision to life: Strategic Growth & Innovation – Developing scaling plans, revenue strategies, and partnerships. Editorial & Content Creation – Writing articles, concert reviews, and designing magazine pages. Concert Photography & Videography – Covering live performances, creating immersive visual stories. Website & Social Media Management – Overseeing the magazine’s digital presence and community engagement. "The best part about running SoundCheck Mag is that every day is different," she says. "One day, I’m photographing a concert. Next, I’m designing a magazine layout or brainstorming new ways to engage fans. It’s challenging, but there’s nothing more exciting than building something from the ground up." Beyond Photography: A Creative Force LJ’s creativity extends far beyond photography. She is also a graphic designer, painter, writer, and digital content creator. Over the years, she has published more than 70 articles across various platforms, including LinkedIn, Medium, and personal blogs. Making an Impact in the Industry Beyond storytelling, LJ and her team at SoundCheck Mag are passionate about reshaping the live music experience. With rising concert ticket prices making live shows inaccessible for many, she sees an opportunity to highlight smaller, more affordable concerts where fans can still experience incredible performances. "Most people can only afford to attend one to three concerts a year because of how expensive major tours have become," she explains. "But there’s an entire world of smaller shows where tickets range from $25-$100—and these are often the most intimate, passionate experiences. We want to showcase these artists and venues, giving more people a chance to fall in love with live music all over again." Advice for Aspiring Photographers & Writers For those looking to break into the music photography or writing industry, LJ’s advice is simple: Capture everything. Go to as many concerts as possible. Build your portfolio—shoot local artists, experiment with different styles. Find a publication that aligns with your vision. (Or contact us—we’re always looking for new talent.) Personal Favorites and Fun Facts Top Artists: Justin Bieber, Jon Bellion, Jonas Brothers, Quinn XCII, Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar, AJR, Matt Maeson Favorite Albums: Purpose (Bieber), The Human Condition (Bellion), Happiness Begins (Jonas Brothers) Dream Artists to Shoot: Justin Bieber, Matt Maeson, Noah Kahan, Quinn XCII, Livingston A Personal Motto That Drives Her Work LJ lives by a simple but powerful philosophy: "Capture everything." "Every moment is fleeting. If you’re not capturing it, it’s gone. I love pausing time in a moment, in a photograph. In a way, I feel like a time traveler, able to transport myself and others back into that specific moment, if even for just a few seconds. And that’s the superpower that is photography." With this vision in mind, LJ continues to push SoundCheck Mag forward, shaping the future of music media one photograph, one story, and one unforgettable moment at a time.