EMM Invades The Conduit on The Dumb tour
By Kat Baxley
ORLANDO, Florida – It was a sunny evening in Orlando as fans lined up at the popular Orlando venue. The bar was active as fans waited for the night to begin. Headliner EMM was joined by two Orlando-based acts, the pop0rock outfit Bad Valentine, and the disco-punk group, Atomic life.
As the clock struk eight, Bad Valentine took the stage opening with their newest release Diva Down(No Way Out). Vocalist Jackie Skillet could be seen sitting on a pink folding chair during the opening verse, but as the chorus kicked in, she began moving around the stage with high energy to the fast-paced anthem. Later in the set, she kicked a couple of balloons into the crowd, who did not let them touch the ground at any point during the set. The band was able to prime the crowd for the fun night in store.
Quickly after was Atomic Life, the four piece band featuring legendary drummer Billy Rymer of the Dillinger Escape Plan. As they made their way up, vocalist Adea Frances moved beautifully to the sounds of opera music to commence the set. The second song of the set was easily the most energetic, titled Sea to Drink, audience members were 2 stepping, and moving their bodies to the track. Throughout the night, Francis took time to speak on the importance of body autonomy and abortion rights, a sentiment popular with the Orlando crowd. The second to last song they played was Two Moons which saw many singing along to the lyrics. As the set came to a close, the band was met with much applause.
Shortly after, it was time for the main events of the night. As a stinger cut through the speakers, two people in clown makeup holding feathered folding fans walked toward the stage, using the fans to cover a third person. The fans dropped, revealing our main act, EMM. As the song DON'T FEED THE DEMONS cuts through the speakers, audience members were left agape at the choreography on display. Toward the end of the track the dancers put a guitar on our star, as she ripped a beautiful guitar solo. Throughout the first half of the set, EMM and the dancers put on a beautiful, yet sexy display, while EMM delivered glass-shattering whistle tones in the song PYTHON, which saw the black diamond designating “icons” in the crowd. Another notable moment, was in the song PEACHES & CREAM. EMM expertly used a keytar while the dancers, and audience members watched on, stunned at the pure aura only an instrument like that could add. EAT MY ACID was another beautiful showcase of the seamless choreography and performing ability of EMM, with fun wordplay throughout the song.
The night slowed down after the dancers left the stage, leaving room for EMM to transition into her slower songs, like the track Avalanche. Before the track started, she spoke on how important it is to not give up. She spoke on her discovery of being diagnosed with autism, and how that has affected her, while reflecting on the progress she's made in her career. The song left some in the crowd crying along to the lyrics as EMM stood atop a chair in the middle of the stage.
The track Freedom was next, EMM took a walk through the crowd and hugged members of the audience and took their hands, while singing the beautiful ballad about how children of addict parents often have to take on the role of being an adult before they’re ready. The night ended with the song Devil In Disguise, which saw the dancers return one final time, as the track speaks on EMM being manipulated by somebody in her life. On stage, she has an incredibly choreographed fight with a dancer while the other looks on. Members of the audience could be seen after the set lining up at the merch booth to let EMM know how important she is to them, or sharing stories about discovering her music, she spent as much time with each person as possible and thanking them for supporting her music career, a truly personal touch from an incredible pop star.
