The info in this PSA is from the SUPPORT LIBRARY WORKERS zine! ALL 3 UNIONS Have been in bargaining since mid-April, with all contracts expired as of June 30th, 2026. We need your support to secure fair and living wages for all Library workers and settle our contracts! The three unions: UKPLA — Part-time Aides & CustodiansKPLA — LibrariansKPLSP — Library Assistants & Facilities Mgmt. ★ LIVING WAGE FOR UKPLA! Hourly staff makes $15.30 an hour but are capped at 29.5 hours a week. Many aides are limited to only 20 hr/wk by their job descriptions. The majority of aides are facing losing healthcare coverage by being kicked off of Medicaid without enough income to afford marketplace plans. They will continue to fall behind with the soaring cost of living in Kalamazoo. Hourly workers need a living wage now — at least $21/hr in Kalamazoo according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator. KPL is only offering $16.34/hr as of 8/31. livingwage.mit.edu ★ FAIR WAGE FOR EXPERTISE! Did you know it takes up to 15 years for a Librarian or Library Assistant (LA) to make their full wage? Every year until they reach their full, competitive wage, employees receive a step up towards it. These steps represent gained experience and expertise in the field. However, the Library wants to treat these steps as a cost of living adjustment. Full-time staff need a cost of living raise on top of their steps. The cost of living rise the Library has proposed as of 8/31 for full-time staff is 1.375% — far behind inflation and much less than the average 3.7% increase in KPL Administrator salaries. Additionally, the Library’s proposal makes it impossible for workers to be paid the same amount of money for the same work — a Librarian or LA hired today will never reach the same pay as a colleague with the same exact job until that person retires. ★ KEEP AIDES ON DESKS! Aides for a long time have been the faces of KPL’s smaller branches, providing invaluable assistance directly to patrons. Library Administration wants to take aides away from this front-facing role at public desks. They want to force aides hired to work at a small branch to travel downtown or to Oshtemo just to work the hours they’re currently working at only one branch. Many aides don’t want to work at multiple locations. If they are unable to travel, the Library plans to cut their hours. You may no longer see your favorite library staff member at a branch and may need to wait much longer to receive assistance. The Library wants to make this unnecessary cut in customer service and all 3 unions stand against it. Help us keep aides at the desks and ready to serve you! The Library is now in mediation with ALL 3 UNIONS. KPL’s bargaining team has been unwilling to listen to us — a mediator can help us be heard, but we also need our community to help make the Library listen! WANT TO HELP? You can call or email our Library Director and Board of Trustees members to share your feelings and demand they offer fair, living wages now and stop plans to remove aides from desk work! Follow the QR code or unfold this zine to read our sample talking points when communicating with the Director or Board! https://tinyurl.com/48fpiwy CONTACT INFO Michael Cockrell, Library Director (269) 553-7841 MichaelC@kpl.gov Board of Trustees Doria Bonner, President DoriaB@kpl.gov Jannie Williams, Vice-President JannieW@kpl.gov Brenda Hughes, Secretary BrendaH@kpl.gov Lisa Godfrey, Treasurer LisaG@kpl.gov Emily Greenman-Wright EmilyG@kpl.gov Takisha Johnson TakishaJ@kpl.gov Ian Kennedy IanK@kpl.gov View the physical zine!!!

So last week I did an Indie Sleaze set at this silent disco event, and the overwhelming majority of kids there were not properly informed on the lovely era of music their ears were being BLESSED with. So if you're wondering what is this meaning of this so called "indie sleaze" I'll be your music prof for a moment and take you to school baby. I didn't really know this was a specific era or genre of music either until I started reading the literature. It actually started with the book Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain. It's basically like the entire history of punk starting from Andy Warhols factory, and The Velvet Underground, all the way to the Sex Pistols and Ramones. The book is made up of interviews, so it's really easy to read and gives you an inside look into the real gritty gross side of punk rock. Well, I loved this book so much and I was like I NEED MORE. So my cousin recommended me this book Meet Me In The Bathroom by Lizzy Goodman. The title named after the Strokes song off of Room On Fire. I saw the back of the book cover filled with band names that I adore, the Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, Interpol, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. That book is like the exact same format, filled with interviews, but this time telling the history of the indie rock scene from 2001-2011. So what is indie sleaze? It was a new era after what seemed like a hiatus of new bands in New York City, a ton of D.I.Y. sounds were popping up all over. The scene exploded with groups like the Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. The sound was reminiscent of post-punk, while the styles artists were wearing were like messier version of what folks wore in the 60's. When I hear indie sleaze, I think of skinny jeaned punk hipsters, on sticky dance floors, and glitter everywhere. It's drunken swagger, raving as a sport, and dirty filthy beats that make you want to dance. One of my favorite stories from the book was about James Murphy aka LCD Soundsystem. He was apart of DFA records, which really only had The Rapture working with them. Well, the group ended up leaving DFA and left James Murphy with himself. He was known for being "older" in the scene. He was in a few lesser known punk bands, but never felt like he had his break out moment. He started making music as LCD Soundsystem, and wrote the song Losing My Edge. He felt as if he was losing his coolness, with all these young kids in band popping up everywhere in NYC. The entire song is basically 7 minutes of the most pretentious ramblings of a guy who has known everything cool wayyyy before you did. He was there. This ended up blowing up and sparked the rest of what we know today of LCD Soundsystem. This story has always just been an inspiration to me and reminds me it's never to late to start doing what you've always wanted to do. Here are some songs I believe defined this era. Here's a few highlights with my Spotify playlist linked. New York City Cops - The Strokes We've Been Had - The Walkmen Nyc's Like A Graveyard - The Moldy Peaches Art Star - The Yeah Yeah Yeah's I Can Change - LCD Soundsystem NYC - Interpol 12:51 - The Strokes Music Is My Hot Hot Sex - CSS Ball and A Biscuit - The White Stripes BORN FREE - M.I.A. Ladyflash - The Go! Team Written by Sarah Mainero // Promotion Director '26-'27

On September 26th, 2026, 30H!3 performed at the tailgate for the Western Michigan University Broncos football game. The event was orchestrated by WMU’s Campus Activities Board, who usually puts on a tailgate concert each year. I am not a fan of 3OH!3. Now, I’ve never really given it a wholehearted, honest shot, but I don’t really like what I’ve heard. I think a lot of it sounds pretty tacky and dated. Even still, it’s a step in the right direction after last year, and it seemed like people were looking forward to it. So I thought it might be interesting to see what was going on, especially because I never got to experience the tailgate concert, since I was doing my radio show at the same time last year. I got to the tailgate at about 1:20pm. It looked like a good time, but I didn’t do much apart from the concert. I just don’t really do tailgates like that, but I was able to find a Busch Light and had a good time. Nathaniel Motte of 3OH!3 performing the first song of their set, PUNKBITCH The Colorado Pop Rap duo came out at 1:30pm, so it wasn’t a really long wait for me. I was a bit surprised at how immediately they made their way to the stage and just got into it. Embarrassing as it sounds, I didn’t realize who they were for the first second or two. Were it not for the cheers at the front of the crowd, I would have thought Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte were members of the tech crew or something. These guys really are aging rockers, but that doesn’t mean they act like it. The choreography was a lot of fun and pretty goofy. Nathaniel was moving around quite a bit and felt very energetic. Sean was having a real good time too. It felt like some airhead frat type of movement from the both of them, which is obviously the appeal. I was waiting for one of them to shotgun a cheap beer on stage the way they were going. The folks in the audience were pretty excited too. Sean and Nathaniel did a really good job of getting people up and moving. Because I was decked out in a jean jacket, dressy boots, and big ‘ol cowboy hat, I didn’t do much jumping or running to conserve my energy. I did put my hand up and sway some, but it was an honest party at the tailgate lot. A stranger next to me named Julian Walkins was jumping up and down and I felt his phone fall on my boot and at my feet. I quickly grabbed his phone and held onto it, and returned it to him when the song ended. He thanked me, then gave me a hug before he returned to the dancing. “You are a blessing in disguise, protect you at all costs,” said Walkins in an interview following the concert. I know I have a face for radio, but I didn’t know how disguised my blessings were. They had some funny lines between songs as well. The two of them started a chant that went “When I say Broncos you say neigh,” and neigh we did. Nathaniel called out to a lady riding the mechanical bull and encouraged her to hold on for the duration of the next song. They commented on the audience’s energy level, which was high throughout. “We got here at 5:00am and we’re running on fumes right now, but you’re giving us energy,” said Sean. A number of their quips had to do with the WMU football team later that day. “We heard about the one second fiasco, sorry dudes,” said Sean. This of course was in reference to the Broncos’ first game of the season, where the Michigan Wolverines were given an additional second to win the game. He later predicted that WMU would defeat Boise State University at the game that night. “I think you guys are gonna take this 30 to 3,” said Sean. The final score of the game was 32-7, with BSU taking the win. Nice try, Foreman. They threw some items into the audience too, including the WMU jerseys they wore on stage. The most interesting of these items though was a room key for the hotel room they had stayed in the previous night. This hotel key ended up in the possession of 3OH!3 fan and WMU student Lune Amarandei. “well my friend caught the key card and gave it to me,” Amarandei shared in an Instagram DM. They also ended up in possession of a towel from the band’s hotel room that was thrown out. Amarandei explained this on instagram. “…i caught the towel at the same time as some girl so we did rock paper scissors for it.” The band had stated earlier that the key was dysfunctional. The set was about what I expected from them. It was the essentials, like STARSTRUKK, RICHMAN, DONTTRUSTME, My First Kiss, and some of their other hits. When 3OH!3 Performed the latter of those songs, one concertgoer found Subway Surfers a more engaging use of his time. I guess he was waiting for Kesha's verse. (She was not present :/) My personal highlight was a vocal only performance of Smash Mouth's All Star by Sean. “I don’t know why I know that entire song but I don’t know even one of my songs,” Sean said, following a recital of the first two verses and chorus of the song. The opening of My First Kiss, when someone in the audience started playing Subway Surfers This was a good show, I was able to enjoy myself. It was a fun throwback for CAB to go with and it felt like they prepared the whole thing well. From what I can tell and what I experienced, the event was safe and fun. It made my day better and did the same for others. That is, unless you were a hotel guest searching for their missing towel last night.

I DJ a Countrygaze show on WIDR and people are always like "What even is that?" "Did you say Country Gays??" or "I don't like Country music." And I'm afraid people won't listen because they think I'm playing Buck Owens or something. It's such a common phrase I hear in music fans "I like everything BUT country." What makes country so controversial? I can tell you now that not all country is created equally, and even the most punk kids who won't give country a chance, might just be surprised on what the alternative side of country really sounds like. I first discovered this genre by listening to Faye Webster. It didn't even occur to me that she was making alt-country music, I just liked her twangy guitar. Well, one year when I was slaving away working at Cedar Point, a friend told me to check out this guy, MJ Lenderman. I listened to Wristwatch and I was like "Woah, country music isn't all bad and stupid??" Then the same friend told me if I like him to listen to this band Wednesday because he's in that band too. So I listened and Karly Hartzman's voice got me hooked. My first playlist was born filled with Faye Webster, MJ Lenderman, Wednesday, and more. So what even is the meaning of the word countrygaze? It's quite literally a mashup of country and shoegaze. For those unfamiliar shoegaze is a dreamy, fuzzy, effects pedal heavy sound. It was popularized by bands like my bloody valentine & Cocteau Twins. It got its name from how artists would stare at their effects pedals while performing. So if you're bored of reading all that you should check out these picks while you're here. Love Has No Pride (Condemned) - Wednesday Come and Change My Body - Greg Freeman Rewind - feeble little horse I Won't Change My Mind - Fat, Evil Children Idaho - Slow Pulp 90 In November - Why Bonnie TV Dinners - MJ Lenderman Take My Heart - Florry She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinking Doubles) -Wednesday It's A Wonderful Life - Sparklehorse Eye On The Bat - Palehound This is a Joke - This Is Lorelei Be Intense - Dutch Interior Shove - Mali Velasquez Here's my spotify playlist with everything I have played and will update throughout the year. Written by Sarah Mainero // Promotion Director '26-'27

Welcome back!! While all you WIDR Broncos are getting back in the swing of things, the WIDR Music Director, Music Team, AND a special guest created a little playlist for you! This playlist is a jumble of songs that we feel sounds/feels the most like the end of summer. Here’s what everyone recommended! Zoe (Music Director): Ventura Highway - America Weightless - Spacy Jane Touch Back Down - Ocean Alley Heart of Glass - Blondie If It Makes You Happy - Skegss, triple j Lukas (General Manager/Music Team): Freaking Out - Michigander Eat The Pavement - Dev Lemons G.E.H.P.O.I - Paper Sound Matias (Music Team): Go - Steriogram Galileo - Indigo Girls Sapphire Bullets Of Pure Love - They Might Be Giants The Weather - Cheekface There Is A God - Cheekface Cade (Music Team): Summer’s Over - Jordana, TV Girl Can I Call You Tonight? - Dayglow Pool House - The Backseat Lovers Gmod - Mellowpunk The Summer Ends - American Football Steeeam - Shelly Cross Your Mind - Shelly WMU President Russ Kavalhuna (left) in an interview with Western Herald Editor in Chief Ella Reynolds (right) and WIDR General Manager Lukas Filcek (unpictured)(pc to Mika Stoffers) President Russ Kavalhuna (WMU President): Hotel California - The Eagles Dry Lightning - Bruce Springsteen Free Fallin’ - Tom Petty Big Pimpin’ - Jay-Z Try Everything - Shakira You can find all of these in one big playlist on our Spotify! Feel free to check it out in the link below! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7atB0BWe8TURNWBhNet1iM?si=8zqWLH0zSViHQBW2pgat0w Have a great school year, Broncos!!

I had the incredible pleasure of being able to sit down with 89.1 WIDR FM’s mascot, Bodhi for an interview. A three-eyed monkey from Kalamazoo, MI, Bodhi is a local cryptid who loves the arts, dancing, and long walks on the Valley Pond. He just got back to town after Summer vacation and he’s fired up and ready to evolve radio beyond what was ever thought possible. He is notoriously difficult to get a hold of, but he was very glad for the opportunity to be featured on WIDR’s very own blog. The following are a number of interview questions I asked him and his response to each. Get to know Bodhi a little better by reading below! Q: “It’s great to have you back, Bodhi! How was your summer?” Bodhi: “Ooo, just wonderful, dude! I got to see so many cool things on my vacay, and I got to eat a ton of awesome, fresh music too!” Q: “I do beg your pardon, did you say you ATE music??” Bodhi: “Yeaahhhh bro! I eat musical notes, always have. My gramps would make the best Birdland Jazz Combo for us when we were growing up. It was sweet dude!” Q: “Wow Bodhi, that’s really cool! Is that like synesthesia?” Bodhi: “I have no idea what that is but no. It's all magic! Gramps was a musical wizard who raised me ever since I was an egg back at Faunce. He told me that just after I was born, he tried casting a spell on me that would make me into the best DJ in the history of college radio. He totally messed it up, but I got a ton of really cool musical magic abilities. Now I can only eat music. I can’t even taste human food!” Q: "Incredible! I’ve never heard of anything like that before. Do you have any other magical abilities?” Bodhi: “Yeah! You see my eyes here? How they’re pure yellow? They glow in the dark! Pretty bright too. I’ve never needed to use a flashlight before. It’s so cool! I can also copy stuff that I hear perfectly cause I have perfect pitch and enchanted vocal chords. I’m like a furry walking jukebox! Coolest of all, I can even do this!” Bodhi then rolled up his tongue into the shape of a hot dog bun. Q: “Uhhh yeah, that’s nice Bodhi! I wanted to ask you more about your trip. Where did you go?” Bodhi: “Oh man, I took a vacation and camped out at Al Sabo for months. It was so cool dude!” Q: “Al Sabo?? Isn’t that just a 10 or 15 minute drive away from campus?” Bodhi: “Nah bro, I don’t have a car! It would kinda ruin the whole mysterious forest cryptid vibe I got going on, y’know? The only time I drive anywhere is when I’m at my day job. I’m a moving trucker for ‘Two Monkeys and a Truck’. I’m the only employee!” Q: “Err, isn’t that a little ironic? How does a company with that name only employ one monkey?” Bodhi: “Oh, it’s because the other guy quit. We were always fighting over where we’d stop to eat. I also wanted to check out a local record or music store. He was a big Darby’s guy though, and I just couldn’t do that. I can’t taste the stuff and even I knew that it was wack, man!” Q: “I see… well, while we’re talking about two monkeys, I wanted to ask you about Vidya and Dharma. They’ve moved in over the summer and are big fans of yours. How do you feel about them?” Bodhi: “Yooo those guys are my dudes, dude! My little guys! The two of them are some of the best partners I could have here. It gets a little loud with Dharma sometimes, but I don’t mind that much. He has a lot of really good points about a ton of things, and Vidya’s able to keep him chill enough for me. Vidya also likes sitting down with a nice tea too. They make it themselves at home and it smells sweet!” Q: “Very cool, and how is Rocket Girl taking to them?” Bodhi: “Dude, she’s always been a little more tense. Rocket works really hard all the time. I haven’t seen her slow down since 4/20! There was this time when we were working on getting new music on-air for the station and I found this one local artist who tasted straight fire dude. I ended up eating all of the .wav files in one sitting. She seemed really pissed about it though. Guess I should’ve saved some for her, huh?” Q: “Maybe so… Hey! I heard you were going to Bronco Bash for the first time this year. Tell us more about that.” Bodhi: “Yooo! I’m so excited to see everyone, man! I love Western Michigan University and I can’t wait to meet all of WIDR’s fans! I’m gonna get some great pictures with everybody and have an awesome day. We’re even gonna be giving away stickers and buttons with MY face on them! That’s, like, the coolest face you could put on a sticker or button!” I agree, Bodhi. I agree. Below are a number of other questions asked by social media respondents: From @spinkitten: Bodhi, how do I get a girlfriend? Bodhi: “Yooo that’s such a great question! I have no idea! I don’t really do the whole girlfriend thing, I’m too preoccupied with radio evolution to be bothered with any of that. I’ll bet you could get a ton of girls to like you by showing them some cool music, and you can find some super cool music on 89.1 WIDR FM!” From @vidyarma_productions: How do you do your hair in the morning? Bodhi: “I’m supposed to be doing my hair? Nah bro, I thought I was just hanging out and having a good time. Now you’re asking me to style myself? I’m not buying it.” From @candylilly2: What can you see with your third eye?? Bodhi: “My third eye sees into the WIDRsphere. It’s like a huge record case with all of the music in the world! This lets me see every independent and unsigned artist that releases music and helps us to make sure that they get the airtime exposure they deserve. From @emma_t1017: What’s your favorite genre of music? Bodhi: “Bro, that’s so hard man. I take great pride in maintaining a healthy diet, and local artists are a great source of vitamins. Listening to college radio all these years is how I keep my physique. It makes me happy to have grown up on 89.1 WIDR FM; your source for a complete breakfast!” From @r0k1tgrrl: Dude, can you please get back to work? You’ve been scrolling on here for an hour. Bodhi: “Nah, I’m good!” Bodhi will be at Bronco Bash from 3:00pm until 6:00pm on September 1st. You will be able to take pictures with him and meet many other members of our paid and volunteer staff. He, I, and many other people on our team are excited to meet you all!

Heartbreaking that the album art isn't an awkward picture of the band standing side by side. This is their first self-titled record where this is the case and that is an absolute travesty. Millions will suffer for their negligence, and their reputation will be forever tarnished. Very disappointing... There is no one that hates Weezer more than Weezer fans. Everyone with knowledge of this group in any capacity knows that. But that kind of irony presented by their fandom is maybe it’s biggest issue. A lot of the fans have a bad habit of taking the music for granted and holding the band to the standard set by their earliest work. What’s odd about it to me as that from what I can tell, none of Weezer’s peers who are currently active (ie. Pearl Jam, Blur), are held to the same standard as they were in their prime. But for some reason, many Weezer listeners expect this decades old band to be releasing more Blues and Pinkertons on the regular. As someone who thinks some of their best work came out AFTER the 90’s, it’s pretty discouraging to see, and this is made worse by the lack of any real consensus among the fandom about how they feel regarding each album (aside from that the first two are nebulously “good”). To me though, Weezer has always felt to me like a band that has only ever made great, average, and bad albums. But what’s been missing from their 30+ year catalog is an album that I would consider to be just “good”, around that 7/10 range. Today, that changed, with the Gold Album being the first record they released which I believe to fit that category. I was able to get a sneak peak of this record at a listening party held by Green Light Records a week early, but I hadn’t paid enough attention that day to fully form an opinion. I would say that comparing my experience at the listening party to my full, focused listen, this record has grown on me. If I had to compare the sound and quality of this album to their existing work, I’m getting a lot of Maladroit. It’s very crunchy and tough with the riffs and fuzzy guitar tone, and you get a bit of that edge on there reminiscent of 80’s and 90’s alternative alike. The opening track Say Yes ensures that you know what you’re getting into immediately with alternating dynamics and an infectious chorus. These aren’t new sounds for them, but getting another big, dumb alt rock record from these guys for the first time since White feels pretty refreshing after their recent experiments of varying quality. C.E.O. feels particularly self-aware of this concept, and The LA Sound pays back to the community that spawned them as the star of the show. This is also the first album of theirs since Red to feature songs written by band members apart from Rivers, with The LA Sound being written by Brian Bell and Nowhere being written by Patrick Wilson. I think both of them improved as songwriters since then, as both of those songs are noticably better than their earlier contributions. It's also really cool to see them collaborate with Wednesday on We Might As Well Be Strangers too. I think their sound is a nice one to have here. I will say however, that the overall flavor and quality of the album is not the most consistent. Some tracks feel a bit like an afterthought, or like they were slapped on with little reason. It sounds strange to say this about an album just 32 minutes in length, but songs like The Show Must Go On and Shine Again feel like filler and take up very little space in my memory. Hoops has probably become the most infamous track here, showcasing some of Rivers Cuomo's most iffy writing habits. Ultimately, I found the inclusion of such tracks to be unnecessary at worst and inconsequential at best. When all is said and done, I had a good time with the Gold Album. This isn't their best "return to form" album (of which they have quite a few), but it's fun and unapologetically geeky. I would recommend this fans of their previous works and anyone else looking for some simple, pop rock fun.

I’ve lived in the Kalamazoo area for the majority of life. In that time, I have picked up a thing or two about where the cool stuff is around here. Whether you are a returning student or have never stepped foot in Kalamazoo your whole life, I’m excited to share with you some of the coolest spots in town. From food, to entertainment, to studies, there are some gems around here if you know where to look. My hope is that you give these spots a try and that you grow to like them as much as I do. (I promise it's not just bars lol) Sweetwater’s Donut Mill Kalamazoo’s most known and acclaimed donut shop! I used to work there last year, and I grew to enjoy their variety of flavors, textures, and menu items. These include but are not limited to cake and yeast donuts, donut holes, muffins, long johns, and fritters that are the size of your head! Their donuts have received national recognition, with their Boston Creme flavor being notably popular. The Homer Simpson Donut is a top seller as well; a simple yeast donut topped with a pink-dyed vanilla icing. My personal favorite is the Raspberry Jelly donut, with berry filling, fluffy frosting and sprinkles on top. They have a rotating set of seasonal donuts as well, including a donut of the week that ensures a constant flow of new items to try. Squares are larger yeast donuts with their own shape that are custom made every single day, with each one being unique from the others. Their Paczki’s are a local delicacy served every year around Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras. Just make sure to try and get there early or order ahead of time because they are incredibly popular. There are two different locations in Kalamazoo, but the Stadium Drive one is both closer to campus and has very kind and fun faculty. The interior has a rustic diner kind of feel to it, it’s designed nicely. I’ll sometimes stop by the drive-thru to get a quick coffee on my way into class or work. The service is timely, and you’re even able to put in bulk orders ahead of time for specific events or parties you might be hosting. Green Light Music This is one of Kalamazoo’s premier record shops, selling CDs, Vinyl, and even 8-track tapes! Much of the time, they will have new releases in the front of the store on display, featuring music from local artists as well.The best way to get what you’re looking for if you’re seeking a particular album is to pre-order on their website ahead of time. Otherwise, check out their stock of used music. Their collection of previously owned CDs is expansive and constantly changing, plus you can find some good bargains in there for CDs that still work as they’re intended. That’s usually the first place I go to look while hunting for additions to my collection. They even have a poster collection you can sift through, with older and used posters being available entirely free of charge. Greenlight also hosts listening parties for new albums, which oftentimes include giveaways for music, merch, and concert tickets. Listening events I’ve attended include Deftones, Gorillaz, and Weezer, and I had a lot of fun each time. These are great opportunities to make friends and meet people who are fans of artists you enjoy. The staff are very knowledgeable and passionate about music as well, and you can make great conversation with them about music, records, and the overall culture. They also host special sales and giveaways during their Record Store Day celebrations. This year, I won tickets to see Dance Gavin Dance and The Fall of Troy in Grand Rapids through one of their drawings. Bell’s Eccentric Cafe/General Store/Beer Garden Alright, I know, it’s low hanging fruit. But I promise their sponsorship of us has nothing to do with its placement here. I had to get at least one bar in here to represent the bustling, and active bar scene here in Kalamazoo, and Bell’s Eccentric Cafe is their crown jewel. While items like the Two-Hearted IPA, Kalamazoo Stout, and Robust Porter are available in the General Store year round, they also have exclusive season drink offers. This includes the legendary Oberon Ale, which is a magnificent citrus-flavored summertime ale recommended for serving with an orange slice. The Oberon Eclipse puts a twist on that recipe, having an honest raspberry wheat flavor that jives well during autumn nights. Their Christmas Ale is a fun, jolly flavor that feels nice in the winter. In the Eccentric Cafe itself, they have an even larger variety of drinks on Draught. I like their Cider quite a bit, with a real tart and sweet apple taste that throws down. Bell’s is also a nice place to keep an eye out for concerts. Their Beer Garden hosts a lot of shows and festivals for mid-sized artists playing in Kalamazoo. Historically, they have hosted the annual Kalamashoegazer music festival there; the longest running Dream Pop music festival in the country. It’s a staple here in Kalamazoo and for good reason. Outside Caffe Casa in The Kalamazoo Mall (Pc Discover Kalamazoo) The Kalamazoo Mall Ok, so this isn’t a specific business or attraction. But I wanted to bring attention to it because this is one of the coolest cultural landmarks in the city. When it first opened back in 1959, it was the first ever outdoor pedestrian mall in the country. While it’s changed quite a bit over the years to allow car traffic through certain parts, it remains a nice shopping center with unique food, stores, bars, and more. It’s located in a nice downtown area and is decorated throughout the year quite nicely. Climb Kalamazoo is a great place for amateur and veteran rock climbers. Rocket Fizz has a wonderful variety of wacky candy flavors. Zero is a non-alcoholic bar within the Kalamazoo Candle Company that uses Ginger as a flavor substitute. These are just a few of the spaces that stick out to me off the top of my head, and there are a number of other gems around. This is a nice place to go and see what's going in the cities culture and hang out with friends. Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue Kalamazoo has a number of cafes around town, but the Kzoo Cat Cafe stands out as having a unique goal and purpose in mind: housing stray cats and putting them up for adoption. It feels warm and inviting, with a ton of cats all over the place who have varying personalities and appearances. Some of them are much more curious by nature, a number are cuddly, and others are playful. Wherever you look, there’s a cat who has found a spot to hang out. All of the nooks and crannies you can find them in are a lot of fun. The interior of the Kzoo Cat Cafe (so cute!) (Pc MLive) The idea of a cat cafe is not unique to Kalamazoo, but the execution here is especially homey. When you’re inside, you are given the opportunity to get yourself a drink and a snack. These are fairly simple, like Keurig made coffee and cheetos. I think this is to the setting’s betterment though, given the overall aesthetic feeling like an old ladies home. Having some simple food and drink to go with it makes the place feel like your own, and it’s surprisingly tidy considering this space is inhabited primarily by animals. As a student, you can schedule a visit to the cafe at a discounted price on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are other spots around town that offer student discounts as well. Western Michigan Universities Office of Student Engagement has compiled a list of such deals on their Instagram.

Not long ago, we aired a special program recorded by Phoebe Bridgers herself last week. Lost Signal aired on 89.1 WIDR FM Friday, August 14th and Saturday, August 15th, and it was a really cool opportunity to get some track-by-track commentary from her while listening to this record for the first time. It wasn’t just the first time listening to Lost Weekend either, because until that point I had never listened to a Phoebe Bridgers album before. The closest I ever got was the Boygenius record that she contributed to a few years back. Ultimately, this was a nice way for me to be introduced to this artist’s stand-alone work, and she perceived her work in an interesting way. She had this to say about the song Other Plans: "I still don't know what it's about, (but) I have a suspicion." She said. "I have a little private meaning, but it may change so... you tell me what it's about." She also explained that the song's melody came from challenge she was given to write a melody with just one note. Of course, I did want to actually listen to this album on my own, uninterrupted, so that I could draw my own conclusions about the project from head to toe. And what I ended up finding is that this album really is the devastating slowburn that everyone says it to be. If I had to think up something about this record that I would consider “fun”, the closest you would get is the track Lost Boys. Even there, the facade created by the melody and instrumentation falls apart when you hear the lyrics. “Lost Boys never grow up, never go home/Lost Boys never spend their lunch money” As you can easily deduce, much of this album revolves around loss. She writes about the people who have left her life, be it her dad on Still Standing or a romantic partner as described in Bobby or Liberty Tree. The latter is one of the songs that resonated with me most. It describes the environment of a decaying shopping mall, which is something I and many people have watched happen to their local shopping centers. It's not particularly abstract. The album as a whole isn't. The lyricism in this project is simple, but it is poetic as well. Phoebe’s writing style is one that could be taken as amateur, but I think the matter-of-factness of it all is something that feels resonant to me as a person who often says what’s on my mind with little thought to the social ramifications. It reads as a girl who has seen more than she cares to and struggles with what to make of it. The whole time she’s describing these events, her folksy-pop sound is cradling you, acting as a warm cushion to her cold words. The performances here are solid, and the grief expressed is very real. I’m not just talking about Pheobe either, though she’s a splendid vocalist. Guest contributions from Cameron Winter and Conor Oberst on I Can’t Wait were very tasteful flourishes to a song so pivotal in the album, all while the focus stays on her and what she’s gone through. Phoebe also thanked her best friends Julian Baker and Lucy Davis for their contributions to the song Haunted. "Partly, it's about being a little bit miserable, and then going on tour with them and then feeling so alive and happy. I love them so much." Lost Weekend is an album that makes me glad to have people around who care about me. I’ve seen and experienced loss, and through that journey you learn the value of community. This album expresses a pain that everyone goes through with respect and dignity. Details differ, but we’ve all been there. Props to her for sharing her stories so eloquently.

Back in July, I had the privilege of being able to interview the renowned Todd Rundgren as he was on his Damned If I Do Tour. It was an interview that went pretty dang well all things considered. I feel as though I was really able to get the idea of what this guy's all about, and I found myself interested in what he was all about. Following the interview, I was able to get my name on the guest list for his show at Bell's Beer Garden right here in Kalamazoo on July 17th. What a wonderful treat that was, and a nice show it ended up being. Odd as it may sound, this was actually my first time going to see an artist live at Bell's. I had been to the Beer Garden before, this year on Oberon Day when they had a DJ. But that wasn't a concert, that was more or less a festival that happened to have a guy mixing stuff on his laptop. The difference here though, is that I was actually going to Bell's with the intention of seeing live music, as opposed to getting some citrusy-ale down my gullet. With that said, the Oberon was certainly a plus, but more on that later. I got in line to enter the venue with my super-mega-ultra concert bestie Eden, and we were hoping to have a good time. I remember we were uncertain if the restaurant itself was open, since their website said they were closed on Mondays. I am happy to report that the interior of the restaurant was open that night. I would assume they do this whenever they have a concert, but I can’t say for certain. Feel free to toss an orange in my face if I’m wrong. The fit in question: (Pc to Eden, Jeans not pictured </3) This older gentleman behind us in line heard our discussion about whether or not it was open, and he told us that we would have a good time either way and that “Only good vibes are allowed here.” A younger woman next to him, who I would assume is his daughter, complimented my outfit. I was wearing new jeans that I had just gotten from the thrift store. Not long after that, an eccentrically dressed lady in front of us turned around and asked us if we wanted to touch her stone. “I heard you were talking about vibes and I wanted to share this with you.” She explained that the stone supposedly carried good luck. Just within the line, before having entered the concert, I felt a nice sense of community and shared values. These people really did feel like they were around for each other which is great. We got to the end of the line and I was able to tell them I was on the guest list. Let me tell you right now; NOTHING inflates your ego like being able to say that and then enter a paid entry location for free. I would have taken a picture of the list itself, but it contained personal information about attendees which had to remain anonymous. Just know that it happened, and that I’m kinda a big deal around here. B) Lukas and Eden giving a proper cheers with their Tropical Oberons. Once we got in, we both went to get a drink. We both got a Tropical Oberon and man… that feels so good in near 80 degree weather with low humidity. For those unfamiliar, this is the classic Oberon but with passionfruit, pink guava, and mango flavors. Highly recommended to lovers of the base, citrus-infused ale. We both got our drinks, and headed out by the stage to await the show's start. Upon a short moment of looking around us, we found it funny that we were among the youngest people there. I had talked with a few people at the show, and found that for many, this was not their first time seeing Todd perform live. One man I had talked to said that this was his 43rd time seeing him, but his first time seeing him without his wife. I didn’t find it necessary to pry further. Just know that this blog post is dedicated to this man and the life that he continues to live. Todd Rundgren Performing On-Stage at Bell's Beer Garden. At about 7:00pm, Todd and his band come out onto the stage. All things considered, he has good stage presence being 78 years old. He wasn’t doing any backflips or shooting himself out of a cannon or nothing, but he was having fun and you could tell. He also had a good comedic sense about him, which was nice. During an acoustic part of his set, he verbally debated about what they would do if a train came by during the song. There’s a train track that runs behind the stage at Bell’s, and a train had already passed that night before the show. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he said. At another point, Todd was just about to play his biggest song Hello It’s Me. Before starting, he bragged that he had a song that everyone knows. “Not every artist can say that,” he started. “Name me one Kid Rock song. They call him the Mar-A-Lago cowboy!” I regret to inform you dear reader, that I am in fact a Todd Rundgren larper. I had not known of this man’s existence until recently and therefore do not have an intimate knowledge of his discography. Because of that, I cannot accurately relay the information of what songs he played or the order in which he had played them. All I can tell you is what I know and what I have learned. He started with the song Evrybody, which was pretty fun. He had us clapping our hands, waking ourselves up and whatnot. A good exercise for all of us out there. He obviously played his most popular song Hello It’s Me, which peaked at number 5 on the billboard charts back in One song that really stuck out was called Down With the Ship, and this was Eden’s favorite song. It had a slide whistle and featured him doing a caribbean accent. Whether or not that’s politically correct is for you to decide, I’m just stating the facts. It was memorable at the very least. What was really cool was his encore, which consisted of a medley of some of his oldest classics. I know this because I saw someone online tell me that it was a medley of some of his oldest classics. Again, I wouldn’t know. I’m a larper. But overall, the music was good. Some fun jams, some slow jams, not a jelly in the bunch. A Todd Rundgren button from the merch table. Around the middle of the show and after the pee break (yes, there was an actual pee break and Todd himself called it that), he thanked us for coming out to the show. That’s not unusual, but I remember the way he did it really stuck out. “I’m not sure if you heard or not, but we’re at war right now.” Tundgren announced to an audience that booed in response. “And because of that war, everything is expensive as s***. And you chose to spend your expendable income here. And for that I personally thank you.” This was a very aggressively early 70’s way of saying it, and it was red meat to the audience attending the show. He thanked us again at the end of the show after the encore, and I swear that he was literally pointing straight at me and Eden as he said it. Whether this was due to our location being near the center-front of the audience or him recognizing my face from the Zoom interview last month is anyone’s guess, but it was really cool. A special thank you to Todd Rundgren and Bell’s Brewery for having me join you last week. If you’re curious about the interview I conducted with Todd, you can read it right here.

On July 17th, 2026, I sat down for a digital interview with Psychedelic Pop Singer-Songwriter Todd Rundgren. Having been writing and performing original music for about 60 years, Todd Rundgren is embarking on his Damned If I Do Tour. During the interview, he had elaborated that this tour had an intentional focus on his older, fan favorite works. “I want to go out there and see to it that the fans have a good time,” Rundgren stated. At the time of recording, he was at a hotel in Lincoln, Rhode Island, where he was scheduled to play at Bally’s Twin Rivers Casino the following day. A graphic displaying August Dates for Rundgren’s US Tour and September dates for the European Tour. ( @the_todd_rundgren on instagram) When I got in the zoom call with him, I simply had to ask about the radio show he once hosted. During the mid 90’s, he DJed the syndicated program The Difference with Todd, which was nominated for a number of awards. The show ended in November of 1996, however, as a result of an altered show format. Rundgren was able to offer some valuable insight to his experience with the industry and why he left. “The station I was working with started taking advertising money from truck companies, which made them try and brand themselves for a certain demographic,” said Rundgren. “They were trying to get me to play more country music, but I only wanted to play music I truly believed in. That friction grew to a point where I had to step back.” The idea of radio being a space primarily occupied by corporate entities is not new, but hearing an instance of it happening to someone right in front of me was interesting. Todd also shared his perspective on songwriting, and spoke about why he continues to write and perform music. I pointed out that many of his contemporaries no longer release music or tour, and wanted to know what kept him going. “I’m still enjoying it,” Rundgren responded simply. “Groups like the Eagles for example, they only really have the old hits that people want to hear. The new stuff is largely ignored. But if you’re dedicated and you have fans who are dedicated, there’s no reason to ever stop.” Todd Rundgren turned 78 this year in June, and that perspective is one that I have a lot of respect for. His career spans multiple decades of pop culture history and is one full of great stories and experiences. Todd Rundgren (third from the right) in the studio recording A Wizard / A True Star. (Walk on the Wild Side Tours NYC) I was curious to hear from him what he thought the biggest risk of his career was. In his eyes, it was his album A Wizard / A True Star (1973). This was his fourth solo album and his third to be released under the name Todd Rundgren. “Up until that point, I had mostly been doing more conventional sounding music, like I did on Something / Anything?. But with A Wizard / A True Star, I was able to try out a lot of things.” He also took pride in this record as being influential for a number of artists. “Down the line, this one had a lot of staying power,” Todd said. Rundgren added to this when I prompted him to tell me about his memories while recording A Wizard / A True Star. “It was a lot of fun,” he said through a smile. “We were given more or less full creative control there. We would just go into the studio and record anything that came to mind.” Listening to the album, his freeform approach to production, songwriting, and performance bleeds through every facet of the record, for better or worse. To end the interview, I asked Todd if he was a coffee drink, what kind he would be. “I don’t drink a lot of coffee nowadays-” he said through a chuckle. “If I ever do get a coffee though, I would usually want a double shot espresso from Starbucks. I suppose that would be my answer.” As a certified Starbucks not-enjoyer, I was tepid on this response. But maybe the jokes on me for that, and a good joke it is. Rundgren will be stopping in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 17th, 2026 at Bell’s Beer Garden, and tickets are nearly sold out as of the date I am writing this. Fortunately for me, I was given a pair of tickets to this show and intend to share more about that experience when it happens. Written By Lukas Filcek, General Manager '26-'27

The third annual Vine Fest celebration took place on June 20th from noon until 10:00pm, featuring local artists from Kalamazoo and beyond. The free event was hosted at Davis Street Park and was a fundraiser for the Vine Neighborhood Association. This was my first time attending this festival. Every Saturday at 2:00, I host my show Audiophile Hour. I tell you this not as a shameless plug (even though it totally is), but because this quirk of my routine prevented me from being at the Festival earlier than 3:00. Likewise, my friend Eden, whom I invited, wasn't able to be there until about 4:30-ish. I do wish that I could have been there to see Julian Bugbee, who played at 2:15. Their studio recorded music is very well produced and I would have loved to see how they sound live. Alas, I arrived at around 3:15, just in the middle of the Two Dollar Bills’ set. Despite my late arrival and our trip to the bar around 7:00, I was glad to be able to meet most of the musicians that performed after their sets. That kinda stuff is easily the best part of these smaller shows. I was able to find my friend Hach a few minutes later, whom I have had as a guest on my show in the past. Soon after, his band’s guitarist Kyle came up to us as well. I was really glad to meet him, as I had wanted to see Paper Sound live for a while now. (and to ask him what G.E.H.P.O.I. meant (I will not relay this information here for reasons you will have to guess for yourself)) The band Landlines performing (pc to Eden) After Two Dollar Bills’ set, I got to say hey to the band’s guitarist Luke. We had met earlier this year at another show back in April, but it was great catching up with him. Solid guy and part of a cool band. Spirit Soup played after them, and I really liked how elegant yet rustic their set was. Harmonica is always a lot of fun, and I look forward to seeing where they take this earthy, bedroom pop sound in the future. It was around during their performance my friend Eden arrived, and we watched the rest of their set from the playground structure. Lots of fun. Landlines is a band I hadn’t heard of until the festival, and their sound was a really solid performance of twinkly emo music with a cool theme. They did a good job getting me interested in their sound and the story that they wanted to tell through their music. I’ll have to look into them some more. The Honey Pot is a band that is based in Detroit, but was founded by some guys who used to live in vine during the 2000’s. Don’t let that age fool you though; these guys know how to have a good time. I specifically remember exchanging information with Pedro, their bassist who gave me their debut album on CD. I’m glad they got to make the journey to Kalamazoo. I’m also glad that Free Joel was able to be here from Indiana. Their classic rock and roll style was inspired and refreshing. You could tell that each member of the band was really excited to be there and talk with people after the show. Eden actually got a shirt from them, and it was a pretty nice design too. I could write an entire blog post just about Paper Sound’s set alone. These guys are awful and there’s no debating it. They tried to pass off a propane tank as a cowbell. Their idiot bassist tried to start a mosh pit on the playground. This utter buffoon dressed in black was running around and playing trombone. Easily the best part of my entire month. The Blank also played at the festival; a self-described goth punk band who as far as my knowledge goes was the highest profile act there. I got to meet the frontman at their merch table before their set, and was able to pick up a sticker as well. Unfortunately, we did not see their set because Eden and I went to the bar for a Guinness after Paper Sound. It was unfortunate, but it’s as rule number one of the Vine neighborhood states: When O’Duffy’s calls, you pick up the phone. We got back to Davis Street Park just in time for Domain Master’s set, which was the last band to play at Vine Fest. These guys really rocked. They were heavy, fun, and conscious. A really good choice for a closing act too. Seeing them play as the sky swallowed the sun was picturesque. Not long after arriving at the park, I was greeted by the festival’s coordinator (and one of WIDR’s community DJs, known as Wombat Music), Maya. I could tell that she was hard at work and enjoying every minute of it. Throughout the event, she was taking a lot of pictures, video recordings, and smiling the entire time. She did a great job acting as an MC and made the event feel lively and professional. Skai Stelzer was one of the art vendors who also created a poster for the festival (see top of page). In fact, all of the art vendors helped in making the event what it was, and I admire each and everyone of their craftsmanship. I also want to thank Dan and Will: two WIDR alumni who graduated this spring and helped with producing and recording the music that played at the festival. If you want to listen to the performances that took place at the festival, they should be uploaded on Bandcamp in the near future. Written By Lukas Filcek, General Manager '26-'27

The National Weather Service has put out an Extreme Heat Warning starting June 29 through July 2. Here are some resources and information for keeping cool this week! Cooling Centers Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries - 448 North Burdick in Kalamazoo No ID or residency requirements for cooling center use. Guests can remain and transition into dinner service. Ministry with Community - 500 N. Edwards St in Kalamazoo Adults and children accompanied by a parent or guardian are welcomed between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. No ID or residency requirement are necessary, but no pets are allowed. Kalamazoo Public Library: Central Library - 315 South Rose Street in Kalamazoo Open 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Library: Washington Square Branch - 1244 Portage Street in Kalamazoo Open 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Library: Eastwood Branch - 1112 Gayle Avenue in Kalamazoo Open 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Library: Alma Powell Branch - 308 West North Street in Kalamazoo Open 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Library: Oshtemo Branch - 7265 W. Main Street in Kalamazoo Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Salvation Army Kalamazoo - 1700 South Burdick Street in Kalamazoo Open 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.). Service animals permitted; no other pets allowed. Greater Open Door Church - 416 Phelps Avenue in Kalamazoo Open 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Portage Zhang Senior Center - 203 East Centre Avenue in Portage Open 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Service animals permitted; no other pets allowed. Comstock Community Center - 6330 King Highway in Kalamazoo Open 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. May close during severe weather if staff safety becomes a concern. Public Water Recreation Areas Kik Pool - 1018 Walter Street in Kalamazoo (Open on Wednesday from 1:30 PM – 8 PM) La Crone Park Splash Pad - 535 West Paterson Street in Kalamazoo Florence Street Splash Pad - 534 Florence Street in Kalamazoo Public water fountains are also available for hydration at Dr. Martin Luther King Park, Bronson Park, and Southside Park. Source: WWMT Weather Forecast This Week Monday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 74. Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 92. Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Independence Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Source: National Weather Service

Happy Pride WIDRites! This month WIDR Music Director, Zoe, asked each of directors their favorite queer artists to recommend. This WIDR PRIDE playlist is made up of recommendations from our lovely music team and directors! Check it out on our Spotify. Stay tuned for National Pride Day, June 28th, for all day pride programming on-air! Now here are your director recs: Elijah: Production Director Ben Platt - Vienna PVRIS - Hallucinations Hayley Kiyoko - Found My Friend Genevieve: Program Director Sammy Rae and the Friends - Coming Home, If It All Goes South, Kick It To Me, Jackie Onassis Elton John - Tell Me When The Whistle Blows, I’ve Seen That Movie Too, Philadelphia Freedom Durand Bernarr - Generous Amelia Day - Skipping Down The Sidewalk Zoe: Music Director Steve Lacy - Dark Red, Sunshine, Amber David Bowie - Sound and Vision, Under pressure (DOUBLE WHAMMY!), Changes King Princess - Jaime, Ain’t Together, You Destroyed My Heart Lukas: General Manager Car Seat Headrest - Nervous Young Inhumans (mirror to mirror), Sober To Death, The Catastrophe Ethel Cain - Janie, Knuckle Velvet, Hard Times Glass Beach - Motions, Forever (check this one out first), Puppy Sarah: Promotion Director awakebutstillinbed - opener, life, fathers Florry - Older Girlfriend, Take My Heart, Drunk And High Yves Tumor - Romanticist, Kerosene!, Limerence Will: Digital Media Director Madonna - Like A Prayer, Material Girl Celeste Allison - UGLY, Blush Rina Sawayama - Beg For You, XS Production Manager/Sam: 100 Gecs - 25 bands and a gecko, where’s my head at Blondshell - Olympus, Two Times Orville Peck - Kansas (remembers me now), winds change

After their album release of "Lost on You" in March 2026, Tigers Jaw embarked on the second half of their USA tour, starting in no other city but Detroit Rock City! The show was opened by Bleary Eyed and Pool Kids. Bleary Eyed - Image from floodmagazine Bleary Eyed Bleary Eyed is rock group from Philly PA. They threw down, playing some fuzzy, twinkly, sort of shoegaze-y sounds that got the pit all buzzin' around. The singer, Nathaniel Salfi, hadn't slept in 2 days and thought he was still in Philly, which was silly. Such an energetic group, and it reminds me how much I love getting to shows early for the openers, as I often end up becoming a fan after the show. Pool Kids - Image from ourculturemag Pool Kids Originating from Tallahassee, Florida, Pool Kids showed OUT, with some good old fashioned emo and math rock. I was absolutely stoked when I first heard the guitarist play the most twinkly riff that has ever graced my ears. Live and up close. This band really got the energy going in the crowd, as the pit began to spiral. These guys also were very informative and helpful with people trying to crowd surf. Way too many people weren't getting caught, and people were just flying everywhere. The kids in the pit were rambunctious, and I was tempted to jump in, but I knew I had to save my energy for Tigers Jaw. Tigers Jaw Tigers Jaw came on, and lead singer Ben Walsh went right into it, opening with three songs off the new album Lost on You: “It’s Ok,” “Primary Colors,” and “Head is Like a Sinking Stone.” At that point, I moshed my way into the pit, and I wasn’t coming out. “Head is Like a Sinking Stone” was one of my favorite tracks off the new album, so the second I heard that opening, I knew it was time to start moving. Tigers Jaw has cited Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance as some of their influences, and it totally comes across in their punchy guitars and emotional lyrics. What I love most about this band is the balance in their music. They have songs that are slower, emotional, and gut-wrenching, but they also have loud, fast, nasty emo songs that make you want to stage dive, crowd surf, and throw yourself around. Honestly, it helped the flow of the concert too. During the slower songs, there were fewer people crowd surfing, less sweaty moshing, and a chance to breathe before everything picked back up again. Tigers Jaw - Image by Sarah Mainero Soon after, they played my favorite song, “Between Your Band and the Other Bands.” I was with a couple of other girls near the front, and we were all dancing and screaming the lyrics together. That’s another thing I love about this group, the audience isn’t just a bunch of gross old dudes. The front left side of the stage was full of girls, and we all looked out for each other if someone got knocked down or pushed too hard. I felt safe and supported in this crowd, not afraid to jump around and dance as hard as I wanted. The band played almost every song off the album, mixed in with some of their most popular tracks. Some standout songs for me were “June,” “Sun,” and “Plane vs Tank vs Submarine.” Throughout the show, people were constantly stage diving and crowd surfing. I remember seeing this group of younger kids who looked like they had stepped straight out of the proper 2000s emo scene with spiked arm cuffs, aggressive side parts, and heavy black eyeliner. Every time one of them got up to crowd surf, they all started screaming together like it was the craziest moment of their lives. Maybe for a fifteen-year-old emo kid, it was. It reminded me of my first real mosh pit when I was fourteen. Lydia Night, former lead singer of The Regrettes, pulled a Kathleen Hanna moment and called all the girls to the front. The crowd was so packed that every time I jumped, it felt like for just a second, I was floating above everyone. That experience felt absolutely electrifying. Tigers Jaw guitar pick I nabbed :3 The group ended with “I Saw Water,” a song filled with emotion and sadness that perfectly tied off the night. Ben Walsh honestly seems like such a nice guy — he just kept thanking the crowd, and we thanked him too. It’s funny how wholesome he seems for someone writing songs that are so angry and sad. The first time I saw Tigers Jaw was at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo, and I didn’t know any of their music. Now, after becoming a fan and learning the songs and lyrics, the experience felt real and deeply connected. I’m genuinely thankful for these communities of welcoming people who are all there for the same reason, the universal language; music. Written by Sarah Mainero, WIDR Promotion Director '26-27