Christian Moyers Benefit Show @ My Sisters House
ORLANDO, Florida - Orlando came together with six different local punk and emo acts for an
unforgettable night dedicated to the support of a prominent figure from the local music scene.
My Sister’s House, an intimate venue located in a popular bowling alley, hosted this show in
support of Christian Moyers; a close friend of many band members and scene locals in
attendance.
Kicking off the show was Friendly Gestures, an intimate solo act that drew the audience
into mournful contemplation. The acoustic emo sound invited the audience into the artist’s
personal thoughts, with lyrics discussing vulnerable and relatable sentiments laid over bold,
rhythmic strums and plucking patterns. Towards the end of his set, he played Float On by
Modest Mouse, a cover he dedicated to Christian Moyers. “Float On always stuck with me as
motivation to keep going,” said Friendly Gestures in an interview, “there’s good times and
there’s bad times, but everything does eventually pass. I believe they will for [Christian] too.”
This plucky, deep set served as a reminder for those in anguish, and set the stage for the rest of the night.
Next on stage was No Clue, a screamo shoegaze band that demanded the audience’s
attention with high-energy riffs and guttural cries. Under pulsing red light, the band performed
BLISTER; their latest single sporting intensely distorted melodies and synchronized screams.
After drawing in a larger crowd with their single SALT, the drummer dedicated the next song to a
close friend who had recently lost a battle with breast cancer. Accompanied by the lead singer,
the drummer sang the lyrics of NAILS over a sea of waving flashlights, building an emotional
energy that hung heavy in the room. This energy was soon released over the band’s first ever
song, SILENT ROOM, which led the audience in a bittersweet questioning of the people they
miss dearly.
2AMature spared no time electrifying the venue with their explosive energy and fast,
bouncy sound. Dressed in a robe and wizard hat, the lead guitarist enchanted the audience with
complex melodies reminiscent of electric surf rock from the sixties. These groovy melodies
fused perfectly with the punky vocal style of the late nineties, creating a nonsensical sound that got the crowd moving. The band’s exaggerated dancing built a relationship with the audience
that encouraged silliness, allowing them to dance freely and simply enjoy the music. During their
closing song, Bag Fumbler, the whole band rose to their feet for a visceral final performance of
mind-blowing shreds and chilling scream breaks.
Mode. held the crowd in the palm of their hands with long, suspenseful buildups and
loud, chaotic releases. Their song Run evoked emotions of jealousy, regret, and heartbreak as the
band exchanged emotional and intimate looks with the crowd. However, Cock Fight brought out
an entirely different energy. When the mosh pit broke out, members from No Clue could be
spotted in the pit, picking one another up and running around in an impressively chaotic dancing
style. They ended their set with a crowd request, as a fourth member joined the stage to help sing Peach Ring Gummy, an apparent fan favorite.
Please Be Kind took the stage next, with softer melodies and slow guitar that marked a
significant mood change in the audience. Under the soft glow of pink and blue light they started
playing Darling, with heads bobbing through a melodic intro with a bouncy, summer feel. While
thanking the audience for the support, the lead singer reminded the audience “Fuck ICE, free
Palestine, fuck Trump, and fight fascism”, showing the band’s dedication to political activism.
During their final song Real they established a back-and-forth with the audience, encouraging
everyone to sing the chorus out loud. This energy allowed the crowd to prepare for the next band,
who played with Please Be Kind during their first show eight years ago.
GILT’s unmistakably flashy style drew eyes to the stage before a single note was played.
The lead singer brought a microphone stand that was covered in Care Bear plushies. Their music
built up with suspenseful introductions leading into strong, dissonant chords. Spoken lyrics and
heavy scream breaks complemented the band’s Nü-emocore sound. The band seemed extremely
comfortable through their entire set, with a dynamic stage presence, vibrant facial expressions,
and lots of crowd interaction. The pinnacle of their set was their cover of My Own Summer
(Shove It), with the recognizable opening notes sending chills through the crowd. A moshpit
broke out almost instantly, sending bodies flying all over the venue. At one point, the bassist
joined the moshing and continued to play as he was thrown around the room. Overall, GILT had
an incredible stage presence and knew how to work the crowd in an exciting and energetic way.
