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If you've been sleeping on Holly Humberstone, Tuesday night at the TLA was a very rude awakening. Holly Humberstone performing at the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (IG: @rebeccajeanlimitedphotography) The Lincolnshire-born singer-songwriter has been quietly building one of the most devoted fanbases in indie pop since her debut single "Deep End" dropped in 2020 and made it immediately clear she was not here to play it safe. A BRIT Rising Star award, a spot opening for Taylor Swift at Wembley, and two albums deep, she is now well into the North American leg of the Cruel World tour, and Philadelphia got her on a Tuesday night in a venue that was absolutely made for this kind of show. Sold out. Packed to the door. Like sardines. Diva Smith opening for Holly Humberstone in at the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (IG: @rebeccajeanlimitedphotography) Before Holly even took the stage, Diva Smith set the bar high. The LA-raised singer-songwriter, who has been carving out her own lane in indie pop with what she calls "therapy pop," stepped out solo with nothing but her guitar, and the room went completely still. You could hear a pin drop. Every shutter in the photo pit. That kind of quiet is rare at a sold-out show, and she earned every second of it. Her vocals are the kind that stop a room, and they did exactly that. Diva Smith opening for Holly Humberstone in at the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (IG: @rebeccajeanlimitedphotography) ____________________________________________________________________________ Then came Holly. Holly Humberstone performing at the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (IG: @rebeccajeanlimitedphotography) Cruel World, released this past April, is the follow-up to her 2023 debut Paint My Bedroom Black, and it marks a real shift in where she is as a writer. The new record turns toward something steadier and more intentional, exploring belonging, long-distance love, and the ache of wanting someone in a world that keeps pulling you apart. She wrote it out of a period of deliberate stillness, returning to daily sessions with long-time collaborator Rob Milton, and that intentionality is all over the live show too. The room was completely present with her from the jump. Girls dancing and swaying and just having the best time, the whole floor moving together, everyone locked in. That kind of energy is not manufactured. It means the people in that room know these songs and they feel them, and Humberstone held every single one of them for the whole set. Holly Humberstone performing at the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (IG: @rebeccajeanlimitedphotography) The Cruel World material hit hard throughout the night, but the moments when she reached back into the catalog landed just as heavy. "The Walls Are Way Too Thin," "Kissing in Swimming Pools," "Paint My Bedroom Black," "Falling Asleep at the Wheel," songs that have been living in people's bodies for years now, and you could feel it. Nineteen songs and not one of them felt like filler. The TLA was the right room for this. Humberstone does not need anything bigger to make her music feel enormous. She just needs people willing to show up for it, and Philadelphia absolutely did. Holly Humberstone performing at the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (IG: @rebeccajeanlimitedphotography)

The Paper Kites performing at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA. Photography by Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff (@vanezasnaps on IG). The Paper Kites and Donovan Woods delivered a night of harmony, storytelling, and genuine connection at Seattle's Moore Theatre. Article & Photos by Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff Some concerts are remembered for their spectacle. Others linger because of how they make people feel. On May 21, Australian indie-folk outfit The Paper Kites brought the latter to Seattle's Moore Theatre, delivering a performance built not on flashy production or arena-sized theatrics, but on thoughtful storytelling, stunning harmonies, and a rare ability to make a room full of strangers feel connected. Opening the evening was Canadian singer-songwriter Donovan Woods, whose acoustic set quickly established the intimate tone that would define the night. Armed with a guitar, a catalog of heartfelt songs, and a sharp sense of humor, Woods effortlessly balanced sincerity and comedy throughout his performance. Donovan Woods performing at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA. Photography by Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff (@vanezasnaps on IG). Between songs, he had the audience laughing with self-deprecating stories and dry observations that often felt more like a stand-up routine than traditional concert banter. Yet beneath the jokes was a songwriter capable of delivering deeply personal moments. His songs about relationships, family, and life's quieter chapters resonated throughout the ornate theater, earning enthusiastic applause from a crowd that seemed increasingly invested with every song. By the time Woods exited the stage, he had accomplished what every great opener hopes to do: transform a room of potentially unfamiliar listeners into eager fans. When The Paper Kites took the stage, the atmosphere shifted almost immediately. A calm anticipation settled over the Moore Theatre as the band eased into a set that felt less like a concert and more like an invitation to slow down and be present. What stood out most throughout the evening was the sense of connection the band fostered among the audience. Looking around the theater, it was impossible not to notice couples leaning into one another, friends wrapping arms around shoulders, and entire rows swaying gently together. In a world increasingly defined by distraction, The Paper Kites created a space where people seemed genuinely content to simply share a moment together. That feeling was reflected in the band's music. Throughout the night, songs unfolded patiently, allowing listeners to fully settle into each story. Rich harmonies floated through the theater while layers of guitar, keys, and percussion created soundscapes that felt expansive without ever becoming overwhelming. The Paper Kites performing at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA. Photography by Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff (@vanezasnaps on IG). One of the evening's most memorable moments arrived during "Deep (In The Plans We Made)." As a glowing sphere resembling the moon illuminated the stage, the band stripped the performance down to its essentials. A single guitar provided the foundation while three voices intertwined in breathtaking harmony. The simplicity of the arrangement only amplified its impact. For several minutes, the Moore Theatre seemed suspended in silence, the audience hanging onto every note as the song unfolded beneath the soft glow of the artificial moon. The moment perfectly captured what makes The Paper Kites such a compelling live act. Rather than relying on spectacle, they trust the strength of their songwriting and musicianship to carry the performance. That confidence extended to the production itself. While visually understated, every lighting cue felt intentional. Warm ambers, cool blues, and dramatic washes of color helped shape the emotional landscape of each song without ever overshadowing it. The lighting served as another storytelling tool, enhancing the mood and themes of the music while allowing the songs themselves to remain the focus. Of course, the audience eagerly welcomed one of the band's most recognizable songs, "Bloom." With more than 830 million streams on Spotify, the track has become synonymous with The Paper Kites' success and remains a favorite among longtime fans and casual listeners alike. Yet what made its inclusion notable was that it never felt like the centerpiece of the evening. Rather than serving as the night's defining moment, "Bloom" functioned as one chapter in a larger narrative, a familiar landmark within a set filled with equally moving songs and performances. That speaks volumes about the depth of The Paper Kites' catalog. While many artists spend an evening building toward their biggest hit, The Paper Kites treated every song with the same level of care and importance. The result was a performance that felt cohesive from beginning to end, with each piece contributing to the larger emotional journey. The Paper Kites performing at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA. Photography by Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff (@vanezasnaps on IG). As the final notes rang through the Moore Theatre, the audience seemed reluctant to let the evening end. The applause that followed felt less like a customary response and more like an expression of gratitude. Together, Donovan Woods and The Paper Kites delivered an evening defined by authenticity, vulnerability, and connection. Through heartfelt songwriting, remarkable musicianship, and an atmosphere that encouraged listeners to be fully present, they transformed the Moore Theatre into something more than a concert venue for a few hours. They transformed it into a community.

Franklin Jonas kneels on the bartop, amid his second set of the night, at Sports & Social. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (@rebeccajeanlimitedphotography). A two-set marathon at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland made the case, in real time, for why Franklin Jonas is our #1 artist to watch in 2026. Article Contributed by LJ Portnoy and Rebecca McDevitt. Photography by Rebecca McDevitt. Videography by LJ Portnoy. Franklin Jonas dancing with the crowd during his second set of the night, at the Sports & Social, within the Hanover, MD Casino. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (@rebeccajeanlimitedphotography). By the time Franklin Jonas leapt off the platform at Sports & Social and up onto the bar top, striding across tabletops, twirling audience members mid-song, and leaning down to grab every hand within reach, it was obvious the room could no longer contain him. A small stage had been set. He needed the whole casino. Franklin Jonas shaking hands with the crowd, during his second set of the night, at the Sports & Social, within the Hanover, MD Casino. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (@rebeccajeanlimitedphotography). That kind of night doesn't come around often. SoundCheck has covered hundreds of shows, and this one ranks at the very top of the list. Franklin appeared as part of A Night With Nick Jonas at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland in Hanover, MD, on a bill rounded out by Magnus Ferrell. He delivered not one but two back-to-back performances on June 6, and somewhere across those twelve to fourteen songs, he reminded everyone in earshot exactly why his is a name worth remembering. Grounded, grateful, and completely Franklin Jonas Franklin Jonas performs in Hanover, MD - The Hall at Live! Casino and Hotel, with the Byzantines, pictured Tim & Aidan. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (@rebeccajeanlimitedphotography). What sets Franklin apart isn't volume or flash. It's sincerity. There's a drive to him and a gratitude that reads as completely genuine. He's entirely unbothered by the fame surrounding him, never cocky, and grounded in every sense of the word. He's surrounded by one of the realest teams we've come across, people who show up for him and work alongside him, and that warmth radiates straight off the stage. Set One: Live! At The Hall Franklin Jonas performs in Hanover, MD - The Hall at Live! Casino and Hotel, with the Byzantines, pictured Tim & Aidan. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (@rebeccajeanlimitedphotography). The night opened at The Hall, where Franklin packed roughly six or seven songs into a tight set of about 25 to 30 minutes. He moved easily between unreleased material, including the fan favorite "Theodora," and the singles that have begun to define him, with "Road Soda" and "Break the Levee" among them. Franklin Jonas plays with a room the way some performers only dream of. From the pit to the back row, he moved to the beat of his own drum, drawing the crowd into his world without ever seeming to try -- and SoundCheck can confirm, even the pit wasn't safe from his pull. Franklin Jonas and the Byzantines videography from his performance at The Hall at Live! Casino and Hotel. | Videography by LJ Portnoy (@ljportnoy) Franklin Jonas performs in Hanover, MD - The Hall at Live! Casino and Hotel. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (@rebeccajeanlimitedphotography). Set Two: Sports & Social Franklin Jonas belts out his tracks, during his second set of the night, at Sports & Social. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (@rebeccajeanlimitedphotography). Later in the evening, Franklin gave the casino a second show, this one at Sports & Social, the sports bar tucked inside the property. He started on a modest little platform, but a song or two in, it was clear that platform was never going to hold him. So he didn't let it. He burst onto the bar top and turned the entire space into his stage, jumping table to table, spinning fans, shaking hands, and handing out a reason to smile to everyone he passed. Another six or seven songs followed, digging into deeper cuts like "Cherub" before he closed, as he always does, on "Break the Levee." From the first strum to the final cry, delivered off-mic, he had every single person in that room. His charisma, his charm, the full force of his personality: he leaves none of it backstage. And here's the part that stays with you. He's exactly the same person on that bar top as he is off it. That's craft. That's main-character energy. That's the whole point. Our Pick For 2026 Artist to Watch Franklin Jonas performs in Hanover, MD - The Hall at Live! Casino and Hotel, with the Byzantines, pictured Aidan. | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (@rebeccajeanlimitedphotography). Franklin Jonas is having his moment, and bearing witness to someone stepping so fully and so publicly into their own light is a rare thing. He's our 2026 artist to watch, full stop. He's SoundCheck's mission statement wrapped in a warm hug, and we could not be more thrilled to see what comes next as he readies his first headlining run, The First of Many Tour. If you don't have tickets yet, consider this your only warning. Look out, world. Franklin Jonas is someone special, and someone worth watching. The full story is still coming. SoundCheck's conversation with Franklin drops in July. Franklin Jonas photographed by Rebecca McDevitt in Hanover, MD . | Photography by Rebecca McDevitt (@rebeccajeanlimitedphotography).

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