Lines of Loyalty Takes Center Stage with Apex Aura, Backhand Blue, and Embers Rise
If there was one common theme for the bands that played at the Woodstock Trade Center, it was rock music with heart. Lines of Loyalty, Backhand Blue, Embers Rise, and Apex Aura brought that spirit to the stage for a night filled with headbanging, personal stories, jokes, and the kind of genuine connection that comes from down-to-earth artists still grinding their way across the country.
Opening the night was Apex Aura, who recently released four new songs and encouraged fans to check them out on Spotify. Their set immediately established the emotional tone for the evening.
"Show of hands, how many people have had their heart broken?" the vocalist asked the crowd. "And I'm not talking about your goldfish dying…" The relatable humor gave way to one of the band's more emotional songs, “Crushed,” capturing the raw emotion of heartbreak. Songs like "Chasing Adrenaline" and "Coming for the Crown" got the crowd engaged early.
Check out Apex Aura on Spotify
Embers Rise brought a heavier edge to the evening. During their performance, a neon mustache glowed from the front of the stage, adding a quirky visual to the night's collection of memorable moments.
Before launching into "Through Your Lies," the lead singer dedicated the song "to anyone who has ever been lied to," turning the performance into an emotional release for both the band and audience. Their set also included a fan-favorite, "Wake Up.”
Check out Embers Rise on Spotify
Backhand Blue followed with an infectious set that blended hard rock with an unmistakable sense of fun. The band reminded the audience that new music is on the way while celebrating the success of "Grow a Pear," which has reached No. 35 on the Billboard charts.
Their lead vocalist, Macy, owned the stage; she even surprised everyone by pulling out a toy kazoo for an unexpected solo that had the audience laughing before diving back into the music.
After the set, I, Tarah, had an opportunity to hear a few on-the-road stories about spelling bees during long road trips, sneaking burritos into movie theaters, and the language that they are creating, like the mysterious term “queesh." wanna take a guess on what it means?
Check out Backhand Blue on Spotify
Closing the evening was Kenosha, Wisconsin's Lines of Loyalty, who delivered both the night's biggest performance and its most personal moments. The band recently announced they'll be joining Pop Evil on a North American tour beginning September 19, 2026, giving fans even more reason to keep an eye on their rapid rise.
The frontman, Glenn, spoke candidly about reaching eight-and-a-half months of sobriety, bringing a level of vulnerability that resonated throughout the venue. That honesty carried into "My Addiction," a song that spent six weeks in the Top 40 and has become one of the band's defining tracks.
Despite the heavier themes, the band never lost their sense of humor.
"Check out our merch," Glenn joked. "It helps us get from place to place… gas station to gas station… roller hot dog to roller hot dog."
The bassist, Redo, added, "Tip your bartenders, but don't tip over."
The set featured fan favorites including "Because of You," "Blackout," "My Addiction," "With or Without You," "Say Goodbye," "This Is Not Your Dream," "Pick Your Poison," "Hurts to Be Human," "Fracture," and "I'm Not the One." Fans were also treated to an older song from the band's earlier days as Mixed Company, while Ethan from Embers Rise joined them onstage for "Victim," continuing the collaborative spirit that defined the evening.
Check out Lines of Loyalty on Spotify
What made the show memorable wasn't elaborate production or flashy theatrics. It was authenticity. Each band brought its own personality, whether through heartfelt stories, humor, or songs born from real struggles. The bands weren't just performing; they were building connections with the audience one conversation, one chorus, and one shared laugh at a time.
