Concert review: Hail the Sun w/ Foxy Shazam, Makari, & Resilia | 04.24.26, Delmar Hall (with photo gallery)

Photo of Hail the Sun’s Donovan Melero by Laura Jerele

Four bands on one bill gives you a hell of a lot of bang for your rock ‘n’ roll buck! That was the offering last Friday night at Delmar Hall with Hail the Sun, Foxy Shazam, Makari, and Resilia. So let’s talk about the first band on the bill, Resilia, who, although they didn’t have much room on the stage thanks to all four drummers needing their full kits, made the most out of limited space and their time. They brought such an interesting twist with a blend of progressively heavy and melodic songs that were definitely vocal forward thanks to lead vocalist, Daisy. This band is young and brash and not afraid to be exactly who they are. I loved how excited all of the people in the first few rows were, telling me that their fan base was there and was not about to miss their opening slot. 

Following them was Makari, who came out with an easy, almost understated confidence, but when they started playing, the whole room started moving with them, including a bit of crowd surfing! Their material had this bright, pop-leaning energy, with hooks that felt built for shouting back and choruses that stuck even if you were hearing them for the first time. There is real heft underneath their sound, with layered guitars and tasteful playing that impressed me. Their music has a bit of bite, sometimes brushing up against power pop before snapping back into something heavier and more intricate. Andy Cizek floated over it all vocally, shifting from smooth to soaring without breaking his fun energy, and I thought they were a great spot in the night’s lineup.

Foxy Shazam is a scene stealer wherever they are. I’ve photograph so many artists in my lifetime, but this was one where I would just as soon watch rather than try to capture all of the magic and energy—because nothing does them justice like seeing them perform! Their energy does not stop—and I mean, does not stop. Foxy Shazam is tragically underrated, while also being massively appreciated (just ask James Gunn, who featured them on Peacemaker where, as it turns out, a lot of fans at the show discovered them). This band falls in the ranks of Queen and The Darkness, with their songs being catchy, bright, and massively hooky. I can honestly say if you were not at this show, you truly freaking missed out! They played to the crowd as much as they interact with one another. They climb into the crowd, climb onto their instruments, and somehow never miss a beat or vocal. Not a one. “Holy Touch” is such a huge hit of theirs, they played it early, and did their entire set their way, and ended it with lead singer Eric Nally telling the crowd, “Now you’re pregnant!” I almost died laughing!

Considering the day started out rainy and gloomy and turned out sunny, Hail the Sun seemed absolutely apropos! They brought just that with flashes of bright intense light coming from the stage from song one! I’ve never seen Hail the Sun and found them to be hugely entertaining while being heavy and technically sound and they packaged that up nicely with a larger-than-life stage show that made Delmar Hall feel like it was not a Hall, more like a mini arena show. I loved all the intricate guitar playing, some of it seeming progressive and at other times I found them to bit a bit thrashy and metal. They are not afraid of theatrics and putting on a good old fashioned rock show with damn good vocals that really boomed! This show was a stellar one because each band widely varied, but they all really performed and gave everyone a helluva lot of bang for their hard-earned buck! | Laura Jerele