LIVE FROM THE PIT: Hail The Sun, Kurt Travis and Black Surf
- Alex Long
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
HAIL THE SUN prove why boundaries are there to be broken and needles are there to be moved with a new era for melodic post-hardcore. Innovating a clean, vocals-forward sound, laced with intricate guitars that prescribe intense emotion, with their new record Cut Turn Fade Back, they have defined their own space within the Will Swan adjacent cinematic universe. With the phenomenal KURT TRAVIS - and in Leeds BLACK SURF - the band embarked on yet another highly acclaimed tour many miles from home.
Local Leeds lads BLACK SURF opened the night to get the crowd pumped up. Bringing a blend of alt-rock and grunge they define their music as “the sound of no responsibilities and endless fuzzy summers”. Heavily inspired by the likes of WEEZER, the band brings a great energy to a room but can also have a crowd deep in their emotions at any given moment. Relative newcomers on the scene having released their debut EP Make Friends With Hell in 2023, they have been on a rapid ascent. Being brought in to play as support for HAIL THE SUN in their hometown is a testament to the hype BLACK SURF have growing around them.
KURT TRAVIS needs no introduction to fans of the post-hardcore scene. A journeyman, who has been involved with countless iconic bands and artists while also growing an esteemed discography of solo work. From the moment the set began with the incredible Easy Peasy, the crowd went wild, knowing they were in for something special. Following it up with the iconic Desperate, this only brought more energy into the room, whilst also making time for his new releases. KURT TRAVIS gave the crowd a treat with his 2025 singles How Could I and same as it’s been. He then spent the latter half of his eight-track set playing songs from bands he has been a part of.
Starting with Fantasy from the short-lived but much loved ETERNITY FOREVER and then following up with Tootsie Roll from one of his current bands GOLD NECKLACE. Still, he had another even more exciting surprise. Taking a moment to have a heart-to-heart with the fans, KURT TRAVIS reminisced on his time with one of the bigger bands, and this led into Strawberry Swisher Pt.2, sending the crowd into a state of bliss. Saving the best for last, he closed out the set with Uneasy Hearts Weigh The Most which created an atmosphere of euphoria in the room and left everyone exhilarated for the headline.
Frontrunners of the post-hardcore scene, California natives HAIL THE SUN headlined the tour off the back of their latest LP Cut Turn Fade Back, which came out in 2025. Having a catalogue of stellar albums dating back to their formation in 2009, the band has nurtured a large and loyal fan base. Starting the set with the opening track of latest album The Drooling Class, the band had the room bouncing from front to back instantly. Vocalist Donovan Melero graced the ears of everyone with his angelic vocals. This got a big cheer, only to be outdone moments later as he unleashed hellish screamed vocals.
Before long, the crowd had become the choir for Melero singing all of his words right back at him with a beaming smile. Fans who have been with the band a long time were rewarded with Falling On Deaf Ears from the exemplary 2014 album Wake. The band then made time for more tracks from the latest album, all of which went down a treat with fans. In the moments between songs, Melero remarked on his love and appreciation for playing smaller European and UK venues because of the intimate and intense environment it nurtures. Only a few songs in and covered in sweat, his iconic leather jacket came off.
For part of the set, drummer Allen Casillas made way for vocalist Donovan Melero to play drums and sing while the rest of the band stayed at the front of the stage. Having spent seven years as the drummer alongside his vocal duties for the band, Melero is highly regarded for his drumming skills. Letting him have his time to play drums at their live shows gives all fans an admiration for his talent, belting out incredible drumming and heavenly vocals simultaneously. Fans who have stuck around with the band since the beginning were graced with one of the most beloved HAIL THE SUN songs Ow! (Splidado!) [I Like It, Though], from the timeless 2012 EP Elephantitis. The desire to hear all eras from the band was on perfect display here as the crowd roared into another level of energy for this song. Moshers went flying and bodies were moving throughout the entire room.
Towards the end of the set, the energy was brought down for the highly emotional Relax/Divide, which left fans singing from their souls and tears welling up in the eyes of many. HAIL THE SUN have an astounding ability to have you dancing one moment and crying the next with their intricate sound and hard hitting lyrics. Not to end the night on a sad note, the band took a moment to tell the crowd how thankful they are for the continued support before lighting up the room with the glorious Maladapted from 2023’s Divine Inner Tension. The building shook one last time from the crowd, giving every last bit of energy they had into the song. A perfect ending to a sensational set, even if the fans would have liked them to play all night.
HAIL THE SUN have been a band that have broken boundaries with every new release and this latest album has been no different. There is so much passion from fans across the world and this tour was yet another huge success. A sign of many more fantastic things to come for the post-hardcore juggernauts. If you have not seen HAIL THE SUN live, you are missing out on an experience that is more than just a gig. You are missing out on an emotional experience that will take you to places no other band can.
Words and photos: Alex Long
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