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EMO NITE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS WITH CARNIVAL-THEMED EXTRAVAGANZA FEAT. PERFORMANCES BY 3OH!3 AND COBRA STARSHIP

Emo Nite is known for its global parties, packed with nostalgia. They have been catalysts for friendships, band formations, and even marriages. These days, Emo Nite takes shape as a fully-fledged community. Unsurprisingly, they’re celebrating their decade birthday in style with an action-packed festival at the Hollywood Palladium. BeatBox Beverages invited Get Some Magazine to check out all the carnival-themed clownery. Some of our favorite artists and friends were there to put on the most incredible show, far surpassing the Ringling Brothers in terms of big top entertainment. The day began with a performance by Noelle Sucks and ended with a showstopping rarity, a complete set by Cobra Starship.

Noelle Sucks braved the opening slot with poise. Thankfully, plenty of familiar faces filled the crowd for her 3 pm set. She could even draw in some new fans, with audience members around me saying they’d have to check out her work later. Her post-modern approach to emo is refreshing, giving new life to tried-and-true methods. I was so excited to catch her set from the barricade and catch up after. Watching her grow over the past year has been amazing, and this full-circle performance encapsulated the essence of her work ethic. Everything from her stage outfits to her friends on stage with her was perfectly curated.

I took a break from the prominent top performers to explore the carnival outside. There were plenty of classic games to play and a BeatBox DJ stage. I caught most of Johnnie Guillbert and Jake Webber, whom I’d seen dj Emo Nite before. This time, they were far more comfortable. It may have been the liquid courage, but their newfound belief in themselves was contagious. They introduced “Hot To Go” by Chappell Roan (a GSM favorite) as “the most emo song of all time.” The sense of humor transferred well, especially when paired with a refreshing Blue Raspberry BeatBox. This is my second favorite flavor, but I fear nothing will ever top Pink Lemonade.

Just around an early sunset, we traveled back inside to hunker down for the headliners. Royal And The Serpent was about to go on, and this was my third time seeing the grungy starlet. Her late-90s-inspired music and aesthetic are even better after multiple rounds of her show. I love a mix of her hits and deep cuts, but her wardrobe was awe-inspiring. Several moving parts go into an excellent performance, and her takes are refreshing and familiar enough to be eye-catching. Seeing her so closely, versus the overwhelming catwalk at BMO Stadium, gave me a brighter perspective of her work and converted me into a bonified RATS fan.

One goal for the day: I needed a barricade for Cobra Starship. They’ve been one of my all-time favorite bands since Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz signed them to his record label. I consider Fall Out Boy my “gateway drug” into this genre, with Decaydance artists filling out my interests and shaping my personality for the rest of my life. So, I was willing to wait, and the opportunity arose to secure my spot while the RATS crowd cleared. I parted ways with my friends and hung onto that railing for dear life. There was a magic show between RATS and SAOSIN in the interim, fully immersing us into Emo Nite’s theming.

SAOSIN is a legacy group with meaningful lyrics in cinematic anthems defining the genre. “You’re Not Alone” is the mantra for many self-described emos. Plenty of diehard fans were in the audience, and their infectious passion added depth to songs I’ve heard millions of times. They also dropped some lore, confessing the headliner Gabe Saporta auditioned for the band. Their love for their fans and music made them an unexpected evening favorite. They recognized a diehard fan in the crowd, triggering endless crowd surfers. The security hired by the Palladium was terrific. I’ve never felt safer with so many platform shoes in my face.

Saint Anique filled the void before 3OH!3 took the stage. Despite technical difficulties, she left me in awe of the human body’s capabilities. I can be reserved around contortionists, yet she just amazed me! Maybe the soundtrack to her set kept me entranced, but I was mostly just impressed by her moves. I don’t think I’ll ever forget her performance.

3OH!3 is always an incredible watch, and I’m so glad they still love what they do so I can continually enjoy their sets. I’ve learned that the party boys tend to be fun-loving dudes, and these two are no exception. This was my fourth time seeing 3OH!3 this year as I followed them around the tragically brief Cobra Starship reunion run. The show is always a fun escape from reality. However, this time, I noticed something. Deeper. Beyond silly rap verses and Kesha features, these are two highly skilled performers. They never missed a single beat, insinuating hours of rehearsal time are had before they hit the stage. Plus, they wound up with many carnival prizes on stage, throwing them back into the audience. Most importantly, the “Casa Bonita” South Park episode was mentioned in their visuals, as one would only expect from this duo from Colorado.

The final set transition act was a variety show by Christopher Wonder. He pulled many rabbits (and hens) out of his hat. However, my favorite tricks included a teacup chihuahua that strikingly resembled my late senior pup, Googs. There is magic at every corner of Emo Nite for those with eyes to see.

Finally, the moment I waited 4 hours at the barricade for—the Cobra Starship headliner. One might argue that my bias may lean too heavily in their favor. They’re my favorite band, and I’ve gotten to know them over the years. However, this only made me more critical; I was nervous to see them because I didn’t want to be disappointed. I knew what they could do, so I held them to a shiny gold standard. If they were offered a big check, which was their motive, I’d catch it immediately, especially since Saporta is promoting his new skincare line. THANKFULLY, Cobra Starship put on one of the best performances I have ever seen. This was quickly my top 5 shows; their radiant joy was phenomenal, especially given their long break from performance. Saporta was born to be a frontman. I can tell him I admire his work until my face is blue (and trust me…I have!), but there is something so special about seeing him up there. Vicky T. is a criminally underrated performer and instrumentalist who shined brightly at the Palladium. A surprise performance by Tara Yummy, a rockstar in training, closed out the nite on a literal high note. I am so proud to be a Cobra Starship fan!

PHOTOS

photos by @htennekk @acaciaevans @miraflor.party