BY MAUI CABRAL Walking into the Ritz Raleigh, the energy felt electric in a different way. Not heavy, not brooding, but vibrant. This was...
BY MAUI CABRAL
Walking into the Ritz Raleigh, the energy felt electric in a different way. Not heavy, not brooding, but vibrant. This was a crowd ready to move, to scream, to feel something together. A night built on melody and emotion.
Autumn Kings kicked off the night with confidence and drive. Their sound blends modern rock grit with anthemic hooks, the kind of songs built for big stages and bigger singalongs. They came out swinging, immediately warming up the room and pulling the crowd in early. You could feel the momentum starting to build with every chorus. This was the spark that lit the fuse.
Then Vana stepped onstage and shifted the tone. Their presence was darker, heavier, and emotionally charged, a perfect contrast in the lineup. Thick guitars, crushing low end, and an intensity that demanded attention. They brought a raw edge to the night, proving they could balance heaviness with atmosphere. From behind the lens, their set was moody and powerful, silhouettes in smoke, heads banging in unison, the crowd fully locked in.
When Fame On Fire hit the stage, the room exploded. This band thrives on momentum, and they wasted zero time delivering it. Known for their high-energy live shows and genre-blending approach, they turned the Ritz into a full on party. Whether it was originals or familiar hooks reimagined, the crowd was moving nonstop--jumping, shouting, feeding off the band’s infectious energy. They brought a polished intensity that bridged the gap perfectly between the openers and the headliner, leaving the crowd buzzing and ready for more.
By the time Set It Off took the stage, the room was primed. And from the first note, they delivered exactly what this crowd came for. Cody Carson commanded the stage with effortless charisma--equal parts frontman, storyteller, and ring leader. Set It Off has never been a band that fits neatly into one genre, and live, that versatility shines even brighter.
Songs like “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing,” “Killer in the Mirror,” “Why Worry,” and “Partners in Crime” turned the night into one massive singalong. The crowd didn’t just know the words, they felt them. Between songs, Cody’s openness about mental health, self-worth, and embracing who you are landed hard. You could see it in the crowd people holding onto each other, screaming lyrics like declarations. From the photo pit, this show was a rush. Bursts of color cut through smoke. Bodies leapt through the light. Smiles, screams, and hands reaching toward the stage filled every frame. It was joy, release, and belonging, the kind of night where everyone leaves a little lighter than they arrived.
With Autumn Kings igniting the night, Vana bringing the darkness, Fame On Fire pushing the energy into overdrive, and Set It Off closing it with heart and connection, this lineup delivered a perfectly balanced experience. Set It Off didn’t just headline Raleigh, they created a space where everyone could be loud, emotional, and unapologetically themselves. And those are the nights that stay with you long after the lights go down.
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- JOSH "MAUI" CABRAL
Hey! I'm Maui. Originally from Queens, New York, now making Raleigh, NC my new home. I'm a touring photographer and Nomadic Motorcycle Rider, obsessed with seeing the world through different lenses!
Read Maui's posts here
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