Half Alive at The Fillmore Silver Spring

Half Alive At The Filmore Silver Spring

Maryland, DC – April 13th, 2025

Photographed and Written by Caden Forrester @flicksby4ster

Half Alive’s stop at The Fillmore Silver Spring was more than a concert; it was a theatrical performance of identity with emotional choreography. As the lights dimmed and silhouettes of the Persona-era monsters cautiously peeked from the stage wings, the show began with curiosity. And from there, Half Alive took us on a meticulously crafted journey that fused sound, movement, and feeling.

From the moment Josh Taylor stepped on stage, alongside longtime collaborators and dancers Jordan Johnson and Aidan Carberry, it was clear that this would not be a traditional set. Half Alive doesn’t simply perform music. With a visual style deeply tied to movement and, their choreography was integral to the storytelling. Songs like “arrow” and “The Fall” transitioned seamlessly into interpretive movement sequences that elevated the music from just catchy.

Visually, the lighting and stage design were restrained. Color palettes shifted with emotional tone, but mostly remained static. Featuring characteristic masks and vulnerability, chaos and balance, isolation and intimacy. In one stretch, a soft acoustic break mid-set brought the crowd into near silence before the tempo picked up again for crowd favorites like “Runaway” and “still feel.”

The Walters

As memorable as Half Alive’s set was, the night’s most surprising moment came earlier in the evening, courtesy of The Walters. Initially framed as a nostalgic ‘in-between,’ the kind of band you expect to catch at a college backyard party, The Walters proved themselves anything but disposable. Their set leaned into earnest indie-rock joy without tipping into irony. Tracks like “Sweet Marie” and “Goodbye Baby” were met with roaring approval, but it was the performance of “I Love You So” that truly ignited the room. You could feel the crowd collectively exhale as the chorus hit this was a band aware of its second chance and determined to make it count.

I had never seen a band have so much fun performing. What stood out most was the effortless cohesion between bandmates. While the banter about toenails and TikTok virality might’ve seemed trivial on the surface, it functioned like punctuation marks between songs — moments of breath that reminded us not to take the night, or ourselves, too seriously. But when the music kicked in, they didn’t rely on nostalgia or meme-worthy hooks to carry the weight.

That authenticity, the kind you can’t choreograph or rehearse, is what made The Walters a show not to miss. In an era where so many opening acts fade into the background, they instead cemented themselves as a band worth returning for. Not just because they’re fun (which they absolutely are), but because they’re real, in the landscape of indie pop, this is increasingly rare.

Mehro’s vocals were undeniably crisp, and there were moments when the energy swelled and caught the crowd’s attention. But, the overall pacing of his set leaned heavily on introspection, which, while emotionally resonant for some, lacked the spirit needed to positively ignite the room. Mehro’s performance, was polished and succinct. Mehro, is a young face in the industry and he definitely can go much further. We look forward to seeing his growth