Band Bring 20 Years Of Emo Nostalgia To House of Blues On March 31st

All Photos By Lena Rayne Photography

Walking into House of Blues Houston always feels like coming home. It’s one of those venues that instantly wraps you up in its energy. Communal, intimate, and alive. The room curves around the stage in a way that makes everyone feel connected, like you’re not just watching a show, you’re part of it. And on this particular night, that feeling was stronger than ever.

This stop of Hawthorne Heights 20 Years of Tears Tour brought together a lineup that felt like a time capsule of emo’s past, present, and future, with CREEPER, LETLIVE., and HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS closing out the night.

CREEPER Opens the Night with Theatrical Energy

CREEPER kicked things off with a set that felt straight out of the MySpace era in the best way possible. The band, fronted by William Von Ghould alongside Hannah Greenwood, leaned fully into their theatrical, horror-tinged aesthetic.

Their styling stood out immediately, black-heavy stage makeup stretching up their necks, dramatic and expressive. It added to the performance in a way that felt immersive without trying too hard.

Musically, they delivered a tight, high-energy set. The crowd was locked in from the start, feeding off their presence. There was something undeniably fun about it, raw, nostalgic, and a little chaotic in a way that just works. I wish I had more words for them, but what I can say is they were really good. Their energy translated, and they set the tone for the night perfectly.

Even in those early moments, the room already felt alive. I was running into familiar faces, catching up in passing, and even met the tour photographer in the pit. It was one of those nights where everything just flows.

LETLIVE. Delivers One of the Most Unforgettable Performances of the Year

Then LETLIVE. came on and completely shifted the atmosphere.

I can say, without hesitation, that this was one of the most insane and unforgettable live performances I’ve ever witnessed.

From the moment Jason Aalon Butler hit the stage, it was chaos in the most beautiful, controlled way. Shooting from the photo pit became an experience in itself. He was throwing water everywhere, and I found myself constantly wiping off my lens, over and over again, just trying to keep up. It felt immersive, unpredictable, and completely alive.

At one point, he climbed the pole leading up to the balcony of the venue and made his way into the crowd above. From there, he continued performing, fully embedded with the fans. The mic cord stretched from the stage to the balcony, and what happened next was one of the coolest, most human moments of the night.

People on stage worked to keep the cord from tangling. People in the balcony did the same. It became this unspoken collaboration, a moment of teamwork, unity, and trust between artist, crew, and audience. It was powerful in a way that’s hard to fully put into words.

During their final song, he asked the crowd if he should jump.

The entire room erupted, chanting for it.

He climbed onto the edge of the balcony railing, and for a split second, everything felt suspended. A crew member held onto him as he leaned forward, dangling off the edge while still singing. It was insane. Completely surreal. The kind of moment that sticks with you long after the lights come up.

That performance left my jaw on the floor. It’s one I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS Close the Night with Heartfelt Nostalgia

By the time HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS took the stage, the room was buzzing, but their set brought everything back into a warm, familiar place.

Celebrating two decades as a band, HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS delivered exactly what the crowd came for, that classic emo sound that defined a generation. Fronted by JT Woodruff, the band felt both nostalgic and present, like no time had passed, but everything had grown.

And the crowd was exactly what you’d expect in the best way. A full room of 20 and 30-somethings, fully committed. It honestly felt like there was an unspoken dress code, black skinny jeans across the board. A uniform. A community.

Their set was fun, heartfelt, and interactive. Drumsticks were flying into the crowd, fans were singing every word, and at one point, someone held up a sign asking to play guitar on a song. Just one of many moments that showed how connected this fanbase still is.

After the intensity of LETLIVE., HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS brought a different kind of energy. Something softer, more grounded, but just as meaningful. It felt like coming home to the music that shaped so many people in that room.

A Night That Felt Bigger Than a Show

Throughout the night, there was this underlying feeling of connection between bands, fans, and even strangers who didn’t feel like strangers for long.

I even ran into my friend Wynton, guitarist and vocalist of the band Bullshit Decapitated, who I originally met while shooting JAIDFEST at 8th Wonder Brewery. Moments like that added to the sense that this scene is smaller, tighter, and more meaningful than it might seem from the outside.

By the end of the night, I was leaving exhausted in the best way possible. The kind of exhaustion that only comes from being fully present in something electric.

If you have the chance to catch this tour, do it.

Because this isn’t just a concert, it’s an experience.

CREEPER

LETLIVE.

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS