Show Review: The Lady In Red Tour featuring Vana, Eyes Set To Kill, Deadlands, and RedHook
Some tours are good. Some tours are memorable. Then there are tours like The Lady In Red Tour, which feel like a statement.
From the first band to the last, this show was pure energy. No downtime. No lulls. Just four bands giving everything they had to a crowd that was more than willing to give it right back.
RedHook opened the night and immediately made it clear why so many people have been talking about them. This is their first time touring the United States, and they are making the most of every second. Frontwoman Emmy Mack commanded the stage from the moment she walked out, balancing charisma, theatricality, and raw energy in a way that pulled people in, even if they had never heard a RedHook song before.
Certain songs came with added theatrics and visual elements that elevated the performance without feeling forced. The crowd bought in quickly, and by the end of the set it felt like they had won over a whole new group of fans. Having spoken with Emmy on Musicians For Mental Health back in April of 2023, it was impossible not to feel proud watching this moment unfold. Seeing how hard this band has worked and how far they've come to reach this point made their set feel even more special. Check out the gallery!
Next up was Deadlands, and if anyone thought the energy was going to dip, they were mistaken. Kasey Karlsen is an absolute force on stage. Her presence alone is enough to grab your attention, but when paired with the band's crushing sound, it becomes something difficult to look away from. Deadlands has mastered the balance between melody and aggression. One moment you're locked into a massive chorus, and the next you're being hit with guttural screams that shake the room.
What stood out most was how much fun the band seemed to be having. They connected naturally with the crowd, making the room feel smaller and more personal despite the intensity of the performance. By the end of their set, they had pushed the energy level up several more notches. Check out the gallery!
Then came Eyes Set To Kill. For many longtime fans, this was a chance to reconnect with a band that helped define an era of post-hardcore and metalcore. Personally, I first fell in love with Eyes Set To Kill around the release of their debut EP back in 2006. Over the years I've seen them at festivals, clubs, and venues of all sizes. I've watched lineup changes come and go, and I've seen the band's sound evolve in different directions.
One thing has never changed: their passion.
That passion was on full display throughout their set. Pulling songs from across their catalog, Eyes Set To Kill managed to create a setlist that worked for everyone in the room. Whether you discovered them nearly twenty years ago or just recently found them through streaming playlists, there was something for you. The crowd response reflected that, with longtime fans singing every word while newer listeners quickly got swept into the moment. Check out the gallery!
Finally, it was time for Vana. The Lady In Red herself closed the night with a performance that felt like a star-making moment. Vana may be small in stature, but once she takes the stage she becomes larger than life. From the opening moments, she had the entire venue in the palm of her hand. Mosh pits erupted. Walls of death formed. At one point, Pokémon card packs found their way into the experience because, honestly, that's just the kind of unpredictable fun that follows Vana wherever she goes.
What makes her stand out isn't just her versatility, though that certainly helps. The ability to move from sweet, almost pop-inspired vocals into absolutely vicious screams is impressive enough on its own. But it's the confidence, personality, and connection she creates with fans that truly separates her from the pack.
Every movement felt intentional. Every interaction felt genuine. Every song felt like an event. There is simply no denying that Vana is becoming one of the most exciting new faces in alternative metal. If this tour is any indication, she's only getting started. Check out the gallery!
The Lady In Red Tour wasn't just a showcase of talented bands. It was a reminder of how exciting heavy music can be when artists fully commit to their vision and fans fully buy in. RedHook, Deadlands, Eyes Set To Kill, and Vana each brought something unique to the night, creating a lineup that felt cohesive while still allowing every band to shine.
By the end of the night, the crowd left sweaty, exhausted, and smiling.
Exactly how it should be.