Concert review: The Blue Stones w/ Meltt | 06.26.25, Delmar Hall (with photo gallery)

Photo of Justin Tessier of the Blue Stones by Michael O’Connor

Stepping into the venue for Meltt’s set at Delmar Hall felt like passing through a portal of sound and color. Originally from Vancouver, these four lifelong friends have been active since 2014, even writing songs while distanced during the COVID pandemic with their 2023 album Eternal Embers. From the moment “Love Again” kicked in, orange and purple lights danced against drifting smoke, casting the stage in a warm and otherworldly glow that had the crowd swaying almost involuntarily. When the band started playing “Love You Without Me,” its sound from guitars and chorus rippled through the audience with ease. By the time they closed with “Deeper Watch,” the room was bathed in washes of deep blue and violet. Meltt finished their set with a crescendo of guitar solos, earning their well-deserved, thunderous ovation. 

Originally from Canada, The Blue Stones kicked off their music scene career with a 2015 debut album titled Black Holes. Although the band is only two members (drummer Justin Tessier and singer/guitarist Tarek Jafar), they are able to defy the laws of physics through their impossibly powerful sound. Under honeycomb-tinted floodlights, they struck a perfect balance between hard-hitting rock tracks and more measured ones as well. Their song “Kill Box” unleashed these full-throttle riffs, while “One by One” offered a welcomed breather, demonstrating professional and thoughtful pacing throughout their line-up. Mid-set, the duo introduced their new album Metro, playing their track “Happy Cry,” a song about embracing the journey of starting over and moving forward after dealing with an ex. This track gave a greater depth to their heavy rock sound, showcasing a complex nature to their lyrics.

Together, Meltt and The Blue Stones delivered a vivid and emotional landscape that moved fluidly from dreamlike to thunderous. The night shimmered with heavy contrast and cohesion, where the raw expression of both bands stood true. By the end, both bands had woven warmth and intensity into a show that left everyone buzzing, and extremely eager for what’s next with these artists. | Michael O’Connor