Photos by Emma Cam
Before April 2nd, the breadth of my familiarity with Chico natives and scene legends Hail the Sun was limited to late nights half-listening to post-hardcore radio while struggling to stay awake. “Rolling out the Red Carpet,” “Relax/ Divide,” and “Human Target Practice,” in truth, Hail the Sun was a band I only knew at a distance through their most recognizable moments, and so when the opportunity presented itself to see for myself what they were really like in the flesh, I had to take it.
By the time I had arrived at the House of Blues, the night had already long been underway. The four-band bill, which included fellow Kill Iconic Records acts Mella and Makar, had already progressed to its penultimate act, a six-piece rock band from Ohio, which, for all intents and purposes, I can only describe as unfortunately corny.
Led by their mulleted, bedazzled fishnet-clad, leather pants-wearing frontman, Foxy Shazam was a flaming ball of theatrical, nigh-clownery pulled straight from the frames of a 2000s Cartoon Network groovie. The half-hour set that ensued felt like both an homage and a parody of the glam rock greats of the 70s and 80s; I found myself awestruck and speechless, partially because I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to take them seriously and partially because, despite my own annoyance at their antics, the crowd could not seem to get enough.
With every comically choreographed spin, every soundboard-esque toot of the trumpet, the crowd erupted in excitement, and honestly, I can’t even really blame them. Despite the overly campy presentation, the band itself was admittedly tight. The musicianship was solid throughout, and moments like the keyboardist playing a solo while being lifted above the crowd proved that the strange group of middle-aged men, if nothing else, knew how to put on a show. While I could probably go my entire life without seeing another Foxy Shazam set and not bat an eye, I can still give credit where credit is due. They were great openers who got the crowd more than ready for the main event.
In the aftermath, a QR code appeared onstage prompting the audience to vote on a song for Hail the Sun to perform, with options including “Parasitic Cleanse,” “Chunker,” and “60 Minute Session Blocks.” It was rather simple, but honestly, a really fun addition that not only added a layer of excitement but also offered the audience a way to feel a part of the show.
Once Hail the Sun took the stage, the shift in tone was immediate. Where Foxy Shazam leaned into chaos and theatrics, Hail the Sun felt much more focused and controlled.
They opened strong and maintained that momentum across a setlist that pulled from throughout their catalog, including tracks like “Falling on Deaf Ears,” “Made Your Mark,” “Live Forever,” and “Missed Injections” before closing with an encore of “Black Serotonin.” The fan-voted slot ultimately went to “Parasitic Cleanse,” a high-energy track from the band’s 5th album, New Age Filth.
From the start, everything sounded tight and well-rehearsed. Their blend of post-hardcore and math-rock elements came through clearly, and each transition felt clean and intentional. Frontman Donovan Melero stood out not just for his consistently strong vocals but for his energy onstage; constantly moving and swinging the mic stand while staying in control of the performance.
The crowd responded immediately. Mosh pits formed early and continued throughout the set, with the band frequently interacting with the audience. One of the most memorable moments came when a fan, lifted onto someone’s shoulders, sang along directly with Melero, highlighting the connection between the band and the crowd.
Overall, what stood out most about Hail the Sun’s performance was how consistent and polished it felt. Everything from the vocals to the instrumentation was precise and well executed. The snapshot I had of them before was nothing compared to the real thing; that night’s performance made those distant impressions feel incomplete.
Hail the Sun, a gallery:
