A Review of Heevahava & Co Live at The Flying Panther
A Review of Heevahava & Co Live at The Flying Panther
by Maddy Hanes
October 2023
Saturday, October 7, 2023 , proved to be an excellent showcase for fans of punk, hardcore, metal, and alternative music. Two local acts, Sultry, the opener, and Heevahava, the closer, bookended performances by Nerve Endings and Unchipped, a pair of bands that traveled from out of state. Throughout the evening, people of all ages cheered, danced, and celebrated the community on the Flying Panther Skate Shop floor.
Local hardcore band Sultry got things started, kicking music off just after seven. Making their visual presentation as gripping as their enormous sound, the lead vocalist donned an army green jumpsuit complimented by a black lacy face mask, a look that assuredly put an enigmatic stamp to their set. Sacrificing no showmanship, the band made use of the entire stage, including equipment as their singer slumped over and leaned against the microphone stand. Sultry's harsh, thrashing set ignited the event, drawing the crowd closer to the stage.
Nerve Endings, who traveled from the Bristol/Johnson City area, contributed a phenomenal performance that enlivened the audience. One fellow concert goer compared their sound to the later era of Black Flag, noting the angry overtones and provocative poetry of the performance. As stolid as it was resonating, the instrumentation created a framework of vicious rhythm with every song, while the vocalist utilized it for the nihilistic imagery the lyrics offered to the crowd.
Journeying to Roanoke for the first time to play Flying Panther, Columbus, Ohio’s Unchipped brought a strong metal influence to the show, along with their interactive stage presence. The band would often take time between songs to encourage people to move, mosh, or otherwise make an impression. The banter brought a comical air to the evening that contrasted with the blasting beats and industrial tinge of their performance.
Roanoke’s Heevahava headlined the show. Renowned for their distinctive compositions, Heevahava dotted their set with instrumental interludes, moving and playing irresistibly to the cadence of the music. The musicians exuded confidence, assuredly playing through their setlist. Many of the songs were familiar for fans who have been seeing the band grace Roanoke stages for over a decade. The music has a way of uniting both longtime and new Heevahava fans that is both natural and unceremonious. Part of the attraction is the band's avante garde stylings, which allow for anyone to interpret the song for themselves. The crowd erupted in applause at the show's conclusion.
With an incredible night of music in the rearview, the evening served as an example that an eclectic lineup leads to an invigorating listening experience. And the Flying Panther Skate Shop has quickly become a venue, not just for punk and hardcore shows, but for bringing together a community in support of art, action, and awareness. <>
Photo credit: Openhead Takes Photos