Cartel is back and before they drop any new music on longtime listeners, they’re taking the time to celebrate 20 years of Chroma– an album that continues to have a massive impact on the alternative music scene to this day. The tour was rounded out by Hunny and Macseal for a relaxed Sunday night at The Van Buren.
The East Coast indie rockers in Macseal mix rocking guitars with a laidback style for a set that got the early crowd bobbing along. The band touted Cartel as one of their major musical influences and showed nothing but love and gratitude to be on the road with them- an acknowledgement that drew appreciative nods from the crowd. Their set was short, sweet and the perfect setup for the remainder of the show.
Hailing from the opposite coast was Hunny, the sunny California brainchild of vocalist Jason Yarger. Like Cartel, the band draws from pop influences mixed with rock sensibilities for an infectious sound that had the audience dancing with enthusiasm. Yarger made the crowd a part of the show, riffing with fans and getting the room to sing along throughout their direct support slot. The stage was primed and ready after the final notes of “I Can See My House From Here” since Hunny had the room warmed up and buzzing.
Nostalgia certainly has reigned supreme since the world came out of the pandemic lockdowns but this has meant the return of iconic bands like Cartel. Once a staple in alternative radio rotation, the band is back like they never left, performing with passion and a clear joy to be back in front of such receptive rooms.
Before jumping into a playthrough of Chroma, Cartel made sure the crowd was ready with “Let’s Go” and “Faster Ride”. The anticipation built into serious excitement when Chroma began and the room sang along to every song on the album to the delight of the band. They couldn’t leave Phoenix without just a few more songs, adding in an encore that included “The Perfect Mistake” and “Deep South”. There’s new music on the horizon for Cartel and if the reception in Arizona was any indication, the world is more than ready for new material from this amazing band.
