Watching a band grow from small rooms to a main stage headliner is a special experience and Holding Absence is more than worthy of that growth. The Welsh quartet made the jump across the pond for their latest headlining run, bringing Casey and Capstan along for the ride.
Florida group Capstan got the mosh pit started with their energetic opening set. The rapidly filling room at Mesa’s iconic Nile Theater was ready to move and the band certainly encouraged their antics during a short but powerful playthrough of favorites like “Heart to Heart” and “Wax Poetic”. In what would become a theme for the night, the band expressed genuine gratitude to the rest of the lineup for bringing them on such a stacked tour.
Another Welsh group- and longtime friends of Holding Absence- Casey took the direct support slot for the tour and Arizona fans were thrilled to have them back in the state so soon after their last appearance. The band was humble onstage, thanking their friends on the lineup and really getting the crowd warmed up for the headliner. The atmosphere in the room was incredibly positive and fans came to give Casey their all during “Great Grief”, “How to Disappear” and much more.
One thing about Holding Absence- they absolutely adore Arizona and the fans here reciprocate that love with each and every visit. Only a short time ago found the band playing the basement of the very theater they’re now headlining and it’s immediately clear that this is a group destined for great success. Singer Lucas Woodland was a tornado of movement, kicking his feet and bounding across the stage to rile up the crowd.
Their set was comparatively brief but included everything from “Birdcage” to “A Crooked Melody” to “Afterlife”- and the fans pushed towards the stage to scream every word alongside the band. It was an early end to an epic evening and Holding Absence has already promised that they’ll be back to visit the great state of Arizona again in 2024.
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Story and photos by Olivia Khiel
