SKYDXDDY Brings the Save Your Story Tour to The Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, NC
All Photography By: Belindajean LaBoy
On Friday July 26th, SKYDXDDY joined forces with Citizen Solider, Icon For Hire, and Keith Wallen to bring the Save Your Story Tour to The Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte, NC. Each artist made sure to connect with their fans on a deeper level to bring awareness to mental health and making sure everyone knew they were in a safe space, that they’re seen, and they’re not alone. Despite the crowd being tired from a very long week, it didn’t take long for everyone to gain their energy to be present in the moment of this incredible experience of a show. Everyone goes to shows wanting to have more than just listen to music, to feel the experience long after the show is over, I know I most certainly did.
First up, Keith Waller hit the stage to start off with a bang. Although I had missed most of the set due to traffic, what I had been able to experience was nothing but love and they truly started off the night the right way.
Keith Wallen: Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Spotify | YouTube
Up next we were graced with SKYDXDDY. She openly expressed her queeriness to show that those who are in the community have a friend in her. At one point, she announced that she now is the owner of Traumacore Records to help those who suffer from their own demons. Throughout her set, she made sure every single person in the room had someone who sees them and wants nothing more than to help them because she had struggled with her own queeriness wanting it to go away until she embraced who she is when she found love. She played many of her hits and at one point called her girlfriend to the front of the stage to introduce her to everyone. Towards the end of her set, she got off the stage, went into the crowd and hugged her fans to show she’s there for them and always will. She talked about consent when she was unexpectedly kissed by a fan without her agreeing which led to her asking the crowd to chat with her “ITS MY BODY MY CHOICE”, her dislike for abusers, explained that she doesn’t hate men despite her lyrics sometimes coming off as if she does so she thanked all the men in attendance for being strong enough to be there, and even reached out her hand to her fans while singing to them. She did an absolutely wonderful job and it was great to hear a not yet released single for the first time. The crowd loved every moment of her set as well as myself, she truly is a beautiful person inside and out, and she has incredible stage presence with her beautiful voice to go along with it.
SKYDXDDY: Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | Spotify | YouTube
Following SKYDXDDY we had the pleasure of Icon For Hire hitting the stage. I had been a fan from the beginning of their career and I was floored by their performance due to it being the first time I had ever been able to see them live. They played many of their hits such as Make a Move and expressed their gratitude to their long time fans for making a dream a reality. The chemistry between Ariel Bloomer (vocalist) and her husband Shawn Jump (guitarist, back vocals, and keyboardist) was shinning on the stage as she told the crowd how thankful and lucky she is to have met her friend who turned into her husband. Their set was full of great vibes that transcended to the whole room as everyone sang along to their songs and had a blast. They had openly expressed that their goal is to help those suffering to find a way to not give in to their dark thoughts because there’s always better days ahead.
Icon For Hire: Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Spotify | YouTube
Finally, we were graced with the incredible band Citizen Soldier. The entire set was focused heavily on mental health, each song expressing that you are seen and not to give up no matter how hard things get because they will get better. Many moments throughout their 90 minute set made the entire room tear up or cry as Jake Segura sang his heart out with this large stage presence. He explained at one point that it all started in 2016 when he was checked into a psychiatric hospital which led him to become clinical therapist. He reflects what he does for a living into their music as well as on tour to give everyone the freedom to express themselves in a very healthy safe space dynamic. Early on, he had made sure to let everyone know that if they ever need any help, to just flash their phone cameras so he can have the staff assist them in any way they possibly can. Many points throughout their set, he had stopped what he was doing to make sure people were okay, got water, and got assistance for anything they were dealing with in the moment. It was beautiful to see that everyone felt safe and wasn’t afraid to express their deeper emotions. I had even found myself starting to cry, especially when he sang a song her wrote for his wife called Burden which was his way of telling her she isn’t alone, that he’s always there for her, and not to give up. Following this song, he sang another that really hit home, Would Anyone Care which is about anyone who has or has ever had suicidal thoughts or self harm that feel so alone and want to only feel loved and needed. Before he started the song, he told everyone that they just need to listen to someone they love who is in pain. As someone who has suffered from mental health for many years issues, it resonated with me on such a deep level because the lyrics reflect many of the times I myself were in a dark place. Towards the end of their set, SKYDXDDY joined them on stage to sing their single Heavy and Ariel Bloomer from Icon For Hire joined them on stage for their single Victim Or Survivor. It was incredible to see them play these songs live because they’re the ones that introduced me to Citizen Solider and now after seeing them live, I am a huge fan because they made me feel seen, safe, loved, and important. I couldn’t have asked for a better live performance to be the first one I had photographed in over a year. I can’t thank them enough for making music that connect to people who struggle with mental health, you are not alone.
