Dayseeker

I recently had the chance to photograph Dayseeker's final stop on their “Dark Sun Protocol” tour, and I’ve gotta say, it was an unforgettable experience. I first discovered Dayseeker when they opened for Sleeping with Sirens, and I remember being curious about the crowd, there were so many people wearing Dayseeker merch and I had never heard of them. But by the end of their set, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve seen them on their headlining tour and again when they opened for Pierce the Veil, and I’ve continued to follow them closely.

This most recent show was one of the best I’ve seen. The lineup included Kingdom of Giants, Catch Your Breath, and Alpha Wolf, all of whom brought their own energy to the stage, but Dayseeker really stood out. The production was top notch, with an LED screen behind the band that created a striking visual backdrop to complement their powerful sound.

From the very first notes of ‘Dreamstate’, I could feel the emotion in the air. It was clear from the start that this was going to be a high-energy show, and ‘Crooked Soul’ and ‘Burial Plot’ only confirmed that. These songs really got the crowd going, and I couldn’t help but sing along. The energy was contagious.

One of the highlights for me was when they played ‘Without Me’, which is one of my personal favorites. It’s a track that really connects with the audience, and the crowd was singing right along. Then, things took a heavier turn with ‘Ivory Gates’, which brought out a mosh pit that nearly swallowed me up! The intensity was palpable, and there were crowd surfers to top it all off. It was one of those moments where you’re right in the thick of it, and you can’t help but get swept up in the chaos.

The emotional side of Dayseeker’s music was front and center when Rory, the lead vocalist, dedicated ‘Afterglow’ to his daughter. It was a touching moment, and you could feel the sincerity in his voice. Then, they surprised everyone with a cover of Evanescence’s ‘My Immortal’. It was a stripped-down version of the song, but Rory did it justice, it was hauntingly beautiful and added a whole new layer of emotion to the set.

Rory’s personal connection to the band’s music is something he’s always been open about, especially regarding his father’s battle with cancer. That’s part of what makes their music so emotionally raw. It’s not just about the music, it’s about real life, real struggles. You could sense that depth in every song.

The night closed with ‘Sleeptalk’, which is such a powerful song, and just when I thought the night couldn’t get any better, they came back for the encore with ‘Neon Grave’. That song always hits hard, and it’s one of those tracks that sticks with you long after the show ends.

Overall, this show was a reminder to appreciate the time we have with the people we love. Dayseeker’s music has a way of pulling you in, making you reflect on life, loss, and everything in between. If you have the chance to see them live, do not miss it. They bring everything they’ve got to the stage—emotion, energy, and an unforgettable experience.

11/02/2024 - The Novo, Los Angeles, California

📸 by wolfsnapphotos