Hey guys! This is Brian Mignogna of the Digital Media Staff. I had a pretty fun summer where I travelled and went to quite a few concerts, so I figured I would write about my experiences at each one. Enjoy!
Baby Keem – The Ca$ino Tour (Trap/West Coast Hip Hop)
May 23, 2026 (The Andrew J. Brady Music Center, Cincinnati OH)
My first time in the mosh pit at a concert was about as thrilling and sweaty an experience as you would expect. Once Keem finally emerged after a decent waiting time and a chaotic DJ set, standing atop an ominous black cube labeled CA$INO, I knew I would have an amazing time. The walls of people began to cave in around me once the beat to his song Ca$ino dropped, and so began a fantastic show. During Keem’s energetic trap bangers, the crowd around me screamed every chorus and shoved against each other at every beat drop, while the slower, more melodic cuts offered a nice reprieve and helped me regain feeling in my legs. Keem gave a great performance as well, with passionate rapping and visuals appropriately centered around the nightlife of Las Vegas. His ability to bring energy to what felt like such a big crowd was great to see. Even though Keem ended his show on a more dour note than I would have liked, with his slower ballads, I still had a fun time. Just don’t go into the pit if you value keeping your clothes clean and smelling nice.
A$AP Rocky – Don’t Be Dumb World Tour (Cloud Rap/East Coast Hip Hop/Southern Hip Hop)
May 29, 2026 (Rocket Arena, Cleveland OH)
Though I was in the nosebleeds for this performance, the second half was all I could have asked for as a big fan of A$AP Rocky. The first half still brought more than enough on a visual front to keep me energized though. As he rapped through a megaphone while leaning out of a floating helicopter, surrounded by colorful lasers and the movements of “police guards” below him, I realized this is what stadium concerts are meant for: A maximalist, all-out spectacle that doesn’t hold back. It’s the same reason I enjoyed Tyler, the Creator’s Chromakopia tour so much. Unfortunately, the crowd around me was quite dead for most of the newer songs, but when Rocky ran through his older hits and toned down the visuals, the energy completely changed. I freaked out when he performed songs like “Wassup,” “LVL,” and “Peso,” which ranks as one of my favorite songs of all time. The crowd hung onto every word during “Fashion Killa,” one of his catchiest songs, and during psych-pop single “Sundress.” He then created a more toned down and moving environment with his softer R&B-influenced tracks, but he still played one of his most exciting songs “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye II” to end the whole show. I had an awesome time with this concert.
The Last Dinner Party (w/Automatic) – From The Pyre Tour (Glam Rock/Indie Rock/Pop Rock)
June 9, 2026 (KEMBA Live!, Columbus OH)
Though a much different vibe from Baby Keem, the venue looked kind of similar, with a decent-sized pit below a balcony of onlookers. Despite standing further back in the pit, the atmosphere felt potent all the same. In front of an ornate backdrop that brought to mind faint images of a luxurious castle courtyard in Britain, The Last Dinner Party delivered a performance that was both lavish and rowdy. Gorgeous vocal harmonies combined with thrilling guitar solos and breakdowns, and controlled musical arrangements combined with loud chants and exciting choreography that truly brought the show alive. This was a needle they threaded with expertise, and whichever side they played, they did so very well. Every band member seemed to have their own time to shine, even the absent bass player Georgia Davies, who was in London recovering from injuries but was dedicated a song during the show. The remaining members showed incredible chemistry between one another, interacting playfully and remaining in sync during the whole performance. Even though they all got their time in the spotlight, they really came together as a unit. Songs I had already heard many times were given new life, whether it be the wild rendition of “Sinner” that had band members moving chaotically on stage and brought cheers from an entranced crowd, or the ascendant rendition of “The Scythe” that engraved its vocal harmonies deep into my brain. In such a small and passionate venue, the lines “Don’t cry, we’re bound together” hit even harder. This was such a fun experience to watch, and it left me excited for whatever the band does next.
The Strokes (w/ Thundercat & Hamilton Leithauser) – Reality Awaits Tour (Indie Rock/Garage Rock Revival)
June 19, 2026 (Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls OH)
When I was lying on the lawn surrounded by Strokes fans as Thundercat continued his 5-minute bass solo (which I enjoyed every minute of, believe me), I realized this was my first outdoor concert of the year. It was nice to get some air, even if it wasn’t fresh, and the playful attitude of Thundercat as he encouraged the crowd to get up and move really set up the upcoming show well. The entire crowd singing along to "Them Changes" was just a taste of their energy during The Strokes’ set, where even over the blaring speakers, I could hear the crowd yelling and singing along. It was nice to be part of such a large crowd (even while not getting nearly trampled), and I felt like part of a community even in such a large venue. The show itself was great which was a nice bonus, you know?
Though the setlist looked like someone just clicked shuffle on The Strokes’ biggest songs while throwing in the new singles, the band brought lots of energy, led by the unpredictable atmosphere frontman Julian Casablancas brought outside of the songs. From his eerie voice threatening to “raise the dead” before playing "Gratisfaction" (a song they made 15 years ago) to his attempts to pronounce “Cuyahoga Falls” (the name of which he almost forgot), he had an almost cartoonish personality whenever he chose to speak. At one point he claimed to be “off his meds” which I probably could have told you myself. Still, this entertained me, and the band still played plenty of their hits as well as “Selfless,” my favorite Strokes song, so really there’s little I can complain about. This was another great show in the books for the year, and I hope to see them on tour again.
