It was a balmy September evening for those gathered at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida, the perfect weather for a carnal kind of night. Released in June, CARNAL is an album that fans of rock band NOTHING MORE had been eagerly anticipating this year, as its fiery mix of celebratory and cathartic music makes for an exceptional listening experience. It also makes for a dynamic live experience, which is why NOTHING MORE set out on the road earlier this month for the first leg of ‘The CARNAL Tour.’ With the help of their friends in Post Profit, From Ashes to New, and Set It Off, NOTHING MORE made this balmy night a little steamier, and those who were there could not have asked for more.
When they took a poll during their set, Post Profit found that most of the crowd already knew who they were and had at least seen them before. For the rest who were unfamiliar with the genre-blending rock band, they were in for a treat. The guys in the band made everyone feel at home, a place where old and new fans could get together and head bang, crowd surf, and mosh as one. They also played hits like “Two Toxic,” “Cancer Culture,” and “Karmakaze” from their 2023 EP, Self Defeater, and even brought out Koda Pratt from rap-metal band Notions, to most everyone’s surprise. Post Profit basically set the bar high for the rest of the night, and the crowd was eager for more.
Opening with “Nightmare” from their 2023 album, Blackout, From Ashes to New started the night off strong. Fans of the band were moshing, dancing, and singing along to the few songs played before technical issues threatened to shut it all down. While the delay in getting the microphones and audio equipment back up and running prompted some complaints from the crowd, From Ashes to New did their best to keep people entertained. They made a little bit of banter and used the moment to confirm that despite rumors going around, they do not fake their way during their shows – it is all live, clearly. Once the issues were resolved, they had time to play favorites like “My Name” and “Panic,” which made for a solid finish.
In being the third band of the night, most would assume that Set It Off would be playing to a half-spent crowd. People had been standing and cheering for a few hours by this point, but their spirits were as high as ever for the alt-rock band. In some ways, this could have been due to the fact that Set It Off is from the area, making the moment all the more special. Fans got to hear songs like “Hypnotized,” “Killer In The Mirror,” “Why Worry,” and “Punching Bag,” a mix that was sure to please long-time listeners or newly involved fans. Before closing out their set, lead vocalist Cody Carson mentioned that this was truly a full-circle moment for them; it was heartwarming to know that everyone who came out for the band was definitely appreciated.
Last but not least was NOTHING MORE. They were quite a sight to behold, from the CARNAL album art backdrop that set the mood to the yellow and red lights that made frontman Jonny Hawkins’s long and curly hair seem as if it were on fire. Finally, after months of hearing songs like “IF IT DOESN’T HURT” and “FREEFALL,” fans were able to experience them in person. The crowd was ready for these songs, as well as old favorites like 2017’s “Let ‘em Burn.” They enthusiastically traded lines back-and-forth with Johnny on this one, showing that the classics will never die. It was great to see everyone take in NOTHING MORE and be a part of something amazing together.
Overall, the St. Petersburg date of ‘The CARNAL Tour’ was a display of live music at its finest. These four bands delivered such monumental songs with a vigor and grace that can’t be matched. They all vibed so well together, like this tour was made for them. If the lineup happens to change by the time you make it out to a date of the tour, though, you will not be disappointed – all the bands involved want you to have a good time. Get ready to rock your heart out, carnal-style.
NOTHING MORE
FROM ASHES TO NEW
SET IT OFF
POST PROFIT
Photos + Review by Christine Sloman | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!
