Shapeshifter – Part Deux – The Concert Chronicles

Shapeshifter – Part Deux

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Over the course of the last year, Memphis May Fire has been out on two wildly successful tours for their latest album release, Shapeshifter. With the second one closing in a few days, I was able to join them in Las Vegas for one of the final stops. Despite setbacks along the way, everyone on this run put in the work to make it one for the books.

First, I want to say that, as an audience member, this show was frustrating. While I do not fault the FOH staff at all, the lack of any sort of forward/front lighting made it incredibly challenging to see anyone on stage. From what I could see, this was more of a venue issue, with very minimal lighting support given how the stage was set up. As a photographer, let’s just say my ability to shoot in low light was tested to the max.

Now, despite not really being able to see, the entire sound design was flawless. Every note, every riff, and every snare hit was clear and hi-fi—here is where the lack of visuals was compensated. Where the venue lacked in lighting, they made up for it with audio equipment. Each FOH crew member was able to use this to their advantage, making it sound like you were in your own personal listening session.

While there is no doubt about how wonderful each act is in their own right, If Not For Me is a standout to pay attention to. While I am no stranger to them, this was my first time seeing them in person. To say it was a hell of an experience would be a massive understatement. From start to finish, they had nothing but perfect energy, excellent interaction, and true showmanship. What is even more impressive is their sound. They are doing exactly what artists need to do nowadays to stay relevant in such a shifting industry. Songs like “Retrograde” showcase how much style and technique they can incorporate into a single track, and they were able to recreate that on stage flawlessly. 2026 is right around the corner, and I can’t wait to see what these guys bring to the table.

Nevertel has been exploding lately. It seems like every time I open any social media, I see something about a tour or release from them—and I am all for it. The presence they have on stage is a lot of fun. Constant movement, great sound, and nearly flawless chemistry between all members mean they can perform on any size stage without feeling cramped or spread too thin. This show, in particular, showcased their unique sound. The biggest draw for Nevertel is how fluid they are in changing styles, going from the haunting vocals of Jeremy Michael to the fast and clear raps of Raul Lopez. They had a nearly perfect setlist to showcase this, featuring “Break the Silence,” “SYM,” and “Criminal.”

With every concert, there seems to be one act or artist that doesn’t quite fit the bill. In this case, that was Rain City Drive. Don’t take that the wrong way! Rain City Drive is a powerhouse in their own right and, by all standards, a stellar complement to the hardcore sound of the rest of the evening. Bringing their emotional side of rock to the stage, it was easy to tell they were a crowd favorite. I am fairly certain that, at one point in every song of their set, the crowd was singing louder than frontman Matt McAndrew. That was certainly true during “Medicate Me,” and I’m pretty sure the final chorus was sung for Rain City instead of the other way around.

After three mind-altering sets prior, Matty Mullins and the guys of Memphis May Fire had some pretty big shoes to fill—but it was a task that couldn’t have been left in better hands. Coming right out of the gate with “Paralyzed,” we got a glimpse of how adrenaline-filled the set was going to be. These guys went non-stop for 17 straight songs, with minimal rest—they were absolute animals. A big highlight for me was being able to hear anthems like “The Other Side” and “The Fight Within,” though I think if we were judging by crowd favor, “Misery” won for that. Mullins is a very unique and dominating presence on stage, keeping you fixated on him no matter what. Drummer Jake Garland had me rolling with laughter; every time I looked up, this guy had his tongue out or was making the best faces. For this being the second time I have gotten to experience a set from them, I can say without a doubt that I look forward to more.