The Hails kick off their “What’s Your Motive?” Tour in Houston, Texas
Show Review by Christian Hernandez
There’s nothing better than kicking off the new year with the first concert of 2024 and I have to say, this was a great way to kick it off. The Hails start their “What’s Your Motive” Tour by stopping at the White Oak Music Hall in Houston, Texas. As the doors opened, fans poured in, buzzing with anticipation. To my surprise, there was as much buzz for the main act and the openers.
We were treated to an energetic performance by up-and-coming indie rock band, Bipolar Joyride, from Houston. To say they killed it would be an understatement. Not only did they get the crowd hype for the show, they made sure to make themselves the next band we’ll be on the lookout for. I guarantee that many left as new fans, myself included. Surprisingly, they were added last minute to the lineup, but they performed with such confidence and charisma, that you would have thought this was their show.
As they left the stage, we were treated to another fantastic opener, this time, Foxtide, who had already been making waves in the indie scene. It’s difficult to describe the pop they got when they got onto the stage and opened with their first song. I felt like I was watching Wrestlemania the way the crowd was cheering them on. They played through many of their songs, including arguably their biggest hit, “She’s Not Yours”, which was met with the venue singing along as if it were the last night on Earth.
Not once did the energy dip, it had not even peaked. Shortly after, the main event finally took the stage. It was now time for The Hails. The crowd cheered as the bandmates took the stage, vocalist, and guitarist Franco Solari, drummer Zach Levy, guitarist Dylan McCue, bassist Andre Escobar, and finally the lead singer, Robbie Kingsley. All of them donned their gear as they started with “Sugar”, which the crowd gleefully sang along to. They worked their way from their older singles and songs from earlier EPs as they brought it to current with “Exonerate” and “Caligua” off their recent EP of the same name of the tour.
It felt like time was flying by, one song to another, the energy staying up and high, the crowd not once feeling tired. There was no dull moment as The Hails treated us to a spectacular opening night for their tour. Of course, we were blessed with the closing songs everyone came for, “Younger”, which the crowd went word for word on, and then finally, “Stay”, which the crowd somehow doubled in sound for and sang along word for word as well.
As The Hails wished us goodnight, you could still feel the high everyone was feeling. I don’t think it really settled until I got home and sat there in my room, the post-concert depression already starting to creep up on me. What a way to get the new year started. Please, do yourself a favor and check them out, they’re coming to a city near you!
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