A Night of Unstoppable Energy: Bloom, Traitors, In Hearts Wake, and Miss May I Ignite the Stage at Atlanta’s Masquerade

Written and Captured By | Aleni Barkley

Bloom kicked off the night as the opening act, and they did an excellent job setting the stage for what would become an energetic and electrifying evening. From the moment they hit the stage, the band captured the crowd’s attention. One of the standout moments was when one of the guitarists not only shredded on his instrument but also showcased his vocal talents, adding an extra layer to their performance. Lead vocalist Jon Hawkey was dynamic throughout the set, frequently engaging with the crowd and bouncing around the stage with infectious energy. His enthusiasm was contagious, and the crowd responded in kind. At one point, Hawkey encouraged everyone to raise their horns in the air, a gesture that the audience immediately followed, adding to the high-octane atmosphere. After their set, the crowd buzzed with approval, with many overheard saying, “They’re really good.” It was clear that Bloom had set the tone for the night—intense and engaging from start to finish.

See more photos of Bloom HERE

Next up were Traitors, who quickly amped up the energy even further. As soon as they took the stage, the band urged the crowd to let loose and express themselves, and that’s exactly what happened. The mosh pit grew in size and intensity as fans began to thrash around in the center of the floor, creating a chaotic yet exhilarating atmosphere. The crowd seemed to feed off the band’s energy, and the circle in the middle of the room kept moving as fans bounced off one another, enjoying the cathartic release. Throughout the performance, the lights flickered and danced through the long hair of the band members, particularly frontman Tyler Shelton, whose deep, guttural metal vocals resonated throughout the venue. Shelton’s commanding presence on stage left the front row fans in awe, eyes locked on the vocalist as if drawn into his every word. After their final song, Traitors didn’t just walk off stage—they invited the audience to meet them at the merchandise table for a chance to get signed gear, ensuring the energy continued to flow beyond the performance itself.

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Following Traitors’ intense set, In Hearts Wake took the stage, bringing a fresh burst of energy and excitement to the crowd. Jake Taylor, the band’s charismatic vocalist, addressed the Atlanta audience, acknowledging how far the Australian band had traveled to be there. He expressed how much they appreciated the energy and passion they were receiving from the crowd. At one point, Taylor joked around with the crowd, calling a friend onstage to help him “make the other band late,” before leading the entire venue in a surprise birthday rendition of “Happy Birthday” to his friend. It was moments like these that made In Hearts Wake’s set feel personal and fun. By the time the show reached its peak, Taylor had shed his shirt and was standing atop an amplifier, singing toward the ceiling, letting the music and the crowd’s energy take him higher. His raw, unfiltered connection to the audience was palpable, as he sang with everything he had.

See more photos of In Hearts Wake HERE

Finally, it was time for Miss May I to take the stage, and they wasted no time in delivering an explosive performance. The fog was thick, and the lights were dimmed, casting an almost haunting atmosphere over the venue. As the backdrop lit up with the band’s name in bold letters, the anticipation was electric. When Levi Benton’s powerful vocals hit, the crowd’s energy surged to an even greater intensity. Fans quickly filled the mosh pit once more, with fists, horns, and phones all raised high in the air. Benton and the band took a moment to reflect on their journey, thanking their loyal fans for their support.

See more photos of Miss May I HERE

They shared stories of how they had built their fanbase, starting from MySpace fifteen years ago, a testament to their longevity and dedication to their craft. The crowd cheered wildly in response, and it was clear that Miss May I had earned their place at the top of the bill, their set serving as the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable night of live music.