Memphis May Fire at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium
Memphis May Fire made a stop at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium as part of the second leg of The Shapeshifter Tour, featuring special guests If Not For Me, Nevertel, and Rain City Drive. The Riverside Municipal Auditorium proved to be the perfect venue, with a large auditorium-style floor that offered plenty of space for mosh pits, high open ceilings, and a balcony overlooking the stage and dance floor.
If Not For Me
If Not For Me opened the show with a high-energy metal performance. By this time, the crowd was already surprisingly large. The band kept the energy up, interacting with the audience and encouraging everyone to get loud.
Nevertel and Rain City Drive
Nevertel followed, carrying over the momentum from the previous set with heavy metalcore. By the end of their performance, they transitioned into a mix of metalcore and hip-pop.
Rain City Drive took the stage next. At this point the venue was full, the audience was warmed up, and people were ready to move. Rain City Drive was well recognized by the crowd, who sang along to every song. Their performance continued to build energy, encouraging the audience to get louder as the main act approached.
Memphis May Fire
Finally, Memphis May Fire took the stage. The show opened with a dark stage and large screens, setting the mood. One by one, the band appeared from the shadows. Matty Mullins entered with a powerful start, running across the stage and setting the tone for the rest of the night. The opening played heavily on CO₂ cannons and strong light design complementing the energy on stage.
Mid-set, the band slowed things down to speak to the crowd, reminding them that healing begins when you admit to yourself that you are not okay. This led to their next set of songs, which featured softer tones and spoken elements between the heavier moments.
As the show began to wind down, Memphis May Fire appeared to be finished, but the audience called out for one more song. The band returned with three additional tracks that were packed with energy. CO₂ cannons fired throughout, and by this time there was a full mosh pit on the floor. The show ended with a strong, high-energy finish.
Overall, the night was impressive from the opening acts through Memphis May Fire’s main performance. Each band made a point to interact with the audience and encourage movement and loud participation. I have learned to appreciate artists who not only perform their songs but also make the audience part of the show. This performance delivered on that.
Memphis May Fire has a handful of remaining U.S. dates, including Las Vegas and Tucson, before heading overseas to finish The Shapeshifter Tour.