BY MAUI CABRAL Holy shit... it’s VANA! Walking into Hangar 1819, you could feel it early. Not even in a chaotic way yet. Just that und...
BY MAUI CABRAL
Holy shit... it’s VANA!
Walking into Hangar 1819, you could feel it early. Not even in a chaotic way yet. Just that underlying energy building up in the room. Looking at this lineup, it made sense. This wasn’t just another show... this was a stacked night of female-led bands that all brought something different to the table. And for me personally, this one meant a little more. I mean what’s a show that Maui’s covering without a little emotion. lol. My second time shooting Vana, and being able to see that growth live? That’s always a dope feeling.
Deadlands kicked things off and wasted no time getting into it. Heavy, dark, and straight to the point. Their sound leans into that atmospheric metal vibe, but live it hits harder. Especially with the way their vocalist controls the stage. No overdoing it, just presence. The kind that makes you lock in without realizing it. You could feel the room start to wake up right here. After all it was a Tuesday.
Then Chandler Leighton came out and shifted the energy a bit. Not in a bad way. It felt more intentional. Her music, provocative dancing, and beauty blew us all away! Her set leaned into emotion and storytelling, but still carried weight. There’s a balance there. Vulnerability without losing strength and it translated really well live. From behind the lens, this was one of those sets where it’s less about chaos and more about capturing expressions, movement, and those quieter moments that still hit.
Then RedHook hit... and yeah, this is where things picked up again. They brought that mix of heavy, punk, and straight attitude. Their frontwoman didn’t just step on stage. She fucking owned it. Full confidence, full control, and the kind of energy that makes it impossible to look away. This set felt fast, loud, and just fun to shoot. One of those “don’t blink or you’ll miss something” kind of moments.
And then... the moment I know I was waiting for most. Vana. Like I said, second time shooting them, and honestly, the growth is real. Everything felt tighter this time. More confident. More locked in. They didn’t come out trying to prove anything they came out knowing exactly what they bring to the table.
Their frontwoman Vana covered the stage effortlessly. Blending aggression and emotion in a way that just works. And the crowd fed into it immediately. You could feel that connection. That back-and-forth energy between band and crowd that makes a set stand out.
From where I was at, it was one of those moments where you’re not just shooting. You’re noticing the progression. And that’s always a good sign. This show felt different to shoot. Not just chaos. Not just heaviness. It was more about presence.
Each band brought their own style, their own energy, but what stood out most was how strong every performance felt. especially from the women leading them. No hesitation. No holding back. Just confidence across the board.
Deadlands came in heavy. Chandler Leighton brought the emotion. RedHook brought the energy. And Vana tied it all together with growth and presence. It’s clear Vana are leveling up. And nights like this? They’re the ones you remember--not just because of how heavy they were… but because of how real they felt.
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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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