Photos and words by Logan Schooley
The night kicked off with E.R. Fightmaster, a nonbinary solo artist whose mellow set provided a calm and intimate contrast to the explosive energy that would come with Orla Gartland.
Gartland’s entrance was full of high energy and it didn’t let up once. She was running around the stage the entire show, immediately pulling the crowd into her excitement. Audience participation was a major part of the night. At one point, she even split the audience for a lyric battle. Gartland brought two people from the crowd up on stage during “Backseat Driver,” waving two signs that were hand made by fans in attendance that evening. They matched Gartland’s energy and helped rally the whole room.
Orla Gartland’s band was just as dynamic as she was. Drummer, Sara, was celebrating her birthday and Scarlet showed off her talent by playing various instruments throughout the set. Gartland herself switched between a bunch of different guitars adding a colorful, dynamic layer to the performance. Beyond the energy and fun, it was apparent that the entire band truly loved performing.
A major highlight was “Why Am I Like This,” her hit song featured on the Netflix show Heartstopper. It felt even more powerful live, with the entire audience singing along. Another unforgettable moment came when Gartland had the whole crowd crouch down to the ground, then all jump in unison with the beat drop to “Zombie!” — a surge of pure joy.
Both acts were proud to be celebrating queer art and culture and create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Their presence filled the venue, making it a night of connection and musical joy.
Orla Gartland
E.R. Fightmaster
Listen to Orla Gartland here!
Listen to E.R. Fightmaster here!
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