Thomas Headon @ The Ritz - Raleigh
September 28th, 2023: Half Alive, Thomas Headon @ The Ritz - Raleigh, NC
Thomas Headon - Photos Courtesy of: Chinaza Ajuonuma
Thomas Headon kicked off the show in Raleigh at The Ritz on September 28th with an explosive burst of energy that left the audience breathless. Jumping and dancing as he took the stage, he set the bar sky-high from the very start. But it wasn't just about the music; Thomas, in a playful mood, initiated a spontaneous "trivia time" during a short break. He handed out a crisp dollar bill to an unsuspecting fan who correctly guessed how many Bojangles locations could be found in the state of North Carolina, all while professing his newfound love for the southern fast-food chain.
With his drummer Josh hailing from North Carolina, the concert felt like a jubilant hometown reunion. Thomas didn't stop there; he brought the house down with two unexpected cover songs that had the crowd singing along. First, he transported us back to our Disney-channel-watching days with a soulful rendition of "The Best of Both Worlds" by Hannah Montana, and then he had us swaying to the infectious rhythm of Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." The night was a whirlwind of surprises, infectious energy, and unforgettable moments that left the audience buzzing with excitement long after the final notes had faded away.
Half Alive, the indie-rock band known for their unique visuals and energetic performances, did not disappoint. The set was an experience in itself, with a cool and ever-changing stage design that featured a giant sheet at the beginning, reminiscent of their recent music videos.
The sheet came down in the middle of "The Fall" to reveal leading man Josh Taylor dancing as his bandmates, drummer Brett Kramer and bassist J. Tyler Johnson kicked off the show. Josh Taylor's dancing was on full display throughout the night, lying on his back on the giant raised platform during "Yosemite," and launching into more interpretive dance during "I'll Stop" and "Conditions of a Punk," among others.
The show was broken up into "seasons," with mini set changes and a sheet with the name of each season projected on it. The dancers, as well as Taylor, were interpretive dancers, adding another layer of artistic expression to the show.
The show was not without its surprises, such as a corded phone that rang in the middle of the stage after "Call Back," which Taylor handed to an audience member dressed as Waldo to speak on, and the crew tearing down the black backdrop to reveal a white one for winter. There was also a beautiful use of autotune during "Hot Tea".
Taylor engaged with the crowd throughout the night, encouraging everyone to get low and jump up during "Back Around," and even launching into a Phil Collins cover of "Strangers Like Me." The band's hits were well-received, with the audience giving three-minute ovations after their medley, including hits like “ice cold”, “arrow”, and "Still Feel." The band ended the night by thanking the crowd for inviting them “into their living room” before playing their final two songs, "Conditions of a Punk" and "Creature." All in all, Half Alive delivered an unforgettable and visually stunning performance.
