Rolling into Harrisburg’s XL Dwell simply weeks after recording their latest document in California with producer (and lead singer of Goldfinger) John Feldman, is Aberdeen, Maryland’s Ballyhoo! Ballyhoo! Has been mixing their model of punk/reggae, surf rock sound for greater than 30 years. Assembly up with Ballyhoo! on this night time and likewise on their very own headlining tour is Artikal Sound System. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to see each band’s a number of occasions, Ballyhoo!, in any respect kinds of exhibits together with festivals, golf equipment, and intimate acoustic settings; nevertheless, I had solely witnessed Artikal Sound System at massive pageant settings, so I used to be excited to see A.S.S.(as their followers affectionately name them) up shut and private.
The night time began off with Cleveland, OH rapper and entertainer Tobyraps. After some figuring out on stage, he delivered a enjoyable set of rapping and entertaining the gang getting them prepared for A.S.S. The group barely had time to settle in earlier than Artikal Sound System ignited the room with the stressed pulse of “Self Sabotage.” From the primary observe, it was clear the band had come to ship a set that leaned equally on groove, grit, and emotional punch. The opening observe’s skanking rhythm and sharp guitar strains immediately locked the viewers into movement, setting the tone for an evening that balanced reggae heat with alt-rock urgency.
With out shedding momentum, the band slid into “Religious Broadcaster,” the place the rhythm part constructed a hypnotic basis beneath the ethereal but commanding vocals of frontwoman Logan Rex. Her voice carried a assured calm, floating above the beat whereas the gang swayed and sang alongside to the refrain. The transition into “Get Me Out” turned that sway right into a soar—its tighter rock edge and pressing tempo pushing the vitality ahead.
Issues received much more explosive with “Batshit.” The observe’s punchy groove and biting lyrics gave the viewers a second to unleash some pent-up vitality, whereas “Modifications” adopted with a smoother, extra reflective vibe. It was one of many night time’s emotional pivots, demonstrating the band’s skill to steadiness introspection with their signature upbeat sound.
A standout second got here with the band’s cowl of No Doubt’s timeless anthem, Only a Woman. As a substitute of imitating the unique, the band reshaped it right into a reggae-rock hybrid that felt distinctly their very own. The viewers erupted the second the long-lasting opening riff kicked in, and Rex delivered the vocals with playful defiance whereas channeling her internal Gwen Stefani.
The center part of the set—“Proper Now,” “Don’t Like You,” and “Strong Stone”—showcased the band’s knack for mixing sharp lyrical themes with irresistible grooves. Every observe layered brilliant guitar chops over thick bass strains, making a danceable pocket that stored the room shifting.
By the point “Site visitors” and “Vertigo” rolled round, the present had discovered its full stride. The band sounded locked in, feeding off the gang’s vitality whereas stretching the songs simply sufficient to let the rhythm part breathe. “Asshole” adopted with a burst of perspective that had followers shouting alongside to each phrase.
The closing stretch—“Stayed NCB” and “Pull Me Shut”—felt like a deliberate wind-down with out sacrificing momentum. “Stayed NCB” delivered a laid-back groove that gave the gang one final likelihood to sway collectively, whereas “Pull Me Shut” wrapped the night time in a heat, melodic end. Its refrain echoed by way of the room lengthy after the ultimate chord pale.
By the tip of the set, Artikal Sound System had confirmed why they’ve grow to be such a compelling power within the reggae-rock scene. Their stay present isn’t nearly style fusion—it’s about connection. Between Rex’s commanding stage presence and the band’s tight musicianship, the night time felt much less like a efficiency and extra like a shared celebration of rhythm, rebel, and launch.
With the viewers nonetheless buzzing from A.S.S.’s efficiency Ballyhoo! takes the stage with their high-energy, feel-good mix of punk and reggae surf music that has made the Maryland band a staple within the reggae-rock scene for years. Mixing punk perspective, beachy grooves, and sing-along choruses, the band labored by way of a stacked set record that stored the gang engaged from the primary chord to the ultimate encore.
The night time kicked off with “4 Days,” instantly setting a relaxed however energetic tone. That vibe rolled seamlessly into “I Don’t Wanna Go” and “Center Finger,” two songs that had the gang shouting lyrics again towards the stage. By the point “Sleepin on the Sofa” and “Mixtape” arrived, the viewers had absolutely settled into the band’s mixture of humor, storytelling, and catchy hooks.
Mid-set highlights included “Self Employed,” “Cali Woman,” and “Shellshock,” the place the band’s tight musicianship and reggae-influenced rhythms actually shined. “Social Drinker” changed into a full-on crowd sing-along, with followers elevating drinks and voices in equal measure. The playful “Blaze This Weed” stored the environment mild earlier than the band gifted the gang with a canopy of “Dammit” by Blink-182, which sparked a burst of nostalgic punk vitality.
The set continued with fan favorites like “Gasoline Station Burrito,” “Swim,” and “Darkish Sun shades,” every one retaining the vitality excessive whereas displaying the band’s knack for mixing laid-back reggae grooves with pop-punk drive. “Stroll Away” and my private favourite, “California King” added a melodic stretch earlier than the present moved towards its highly effective closing run.
The ultimate stretch—“Riddled With Bullets” and “Promoting Out”—felt like the proper sendoff. Each songs introduced the gang collectively for one final collective sing-along, ending the night time with the sort of communal vitality that defines an awesome stay present.
Greater than something, the efficiency proved why Ballyhoo! continues to construct such a loyal fanbase. Their exhibits aren’t simply concert events, they’re celebrations of fine vibes, catchy songs, and a neighborhood of followers who know each phrase. On this night time, that connection was unmistakable, and it left the gang buzzing lengthy after the final observe pale. After greater than 30 years of Ballyhoo! tonight’s efficiency confirmed that they’re nowhere able to decelerate. Search for their new album to return out simply in time so as to add to your summertime playlists!
By Matt Grube Todd M. Judd for worldareggae.com
Ballyhoo! / Artikal Sound System Harrisburg PA 2026
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