Hello Mary’s longest string of ongoing shows came to a close, as we saw the band come undone in its complete finality, at The Masquerade on October 30, 2024.
The band was welcomed to their first headlining night in Atlanta with utter applause. They have been expected for a long time now, ever since their shattering opening performance in support of American Football last year. I had the chance to talk to a few new fans as well as old and all came to the consensus that the way Hello Mary does music is unlike any other.
Before the main act came on stage, Kid Fears warmed the spotlight. They present a staple shoegaze mix of euphonious tunes. The lead singer was endearing in their shyness. I asked for the band’s name after the set since they weren’t on the bill. Mishearing Kid Fears for “Confused”, I thought the name was fitting. The whole band seemed a bit out of their heads, but polishing the right attitude we might be seeing more of them yet.
After Kid Fears (Confused?), Bleary Eyed took the stage. This midwest emo act came all the way from Philadelphia with new ideas, going back home with newer fans. The singer confessed to trying this for the first time when he set up a wonky angle on a stage projector, he pushed play on a series of videos and images that went along with the music. Was I the only one that thought the messed-up angle better than a straight one? Perhaps. But there was something so enriching about seeing the projections cut through the middle as the microphone captured breathtaking screams.
Helena Straight, guitarist-vocalist, Stella Wave, drummer-vocalist, and Mikaela Oppenheimer, bassist finally walked on stage to close the night. Their faces were split in pieces by doll-like make up, eyeliner cat whiskers and assorted accoutrements. Without further ado, they opened with the first song of their most recent album, Float.
The tour this year was mostly in support of their album “Emita Ox,” released on Sept. 13 of this year. The Rolling Stone called them “moody” last month, fitting Hello Mary into a box too small for their sound. The album, as well as their latest performances, bridge the darkest feelings the band has gone through in their artistic catharsis back to reality. Their complete desperation touches something more profound than a heart, dear Stone, “moody” isn’t the word.
Taking advantage of the intimacy the small stages of the Masquerade offer, Wave jumped out of her drum set and onto the audience. The drummer for Bleary Eyed took over while she screamed into her microphone, getting the crowd to lose their minds with her. I applaud the boldness of Wave, few drummers find the path out of their drumming pedestal.
The songs blended together in the following order:
Float
Stinge
Footstep Misstep
Heavy Sleeper
Bubble
Down My Life
Sink In
Hiyeahi
Three
0%
Everything We Do
Knowing You
After seeing this new Hello Mary peak, the waters are turbulent for what happens next, but I am more than sure the band wont cease to surprise us as the years age.
