With 2024 wrapped up and stowed away in the memory banks, the new year is already in full swing. On the first Saturday of 2025, Kaya’s Embrace packed out Purgatory at the Masquerade with support from fellow reggae rockers AndLove and Maryland’s the Ashley LaRue Band. Arriving a little after the doors opened, I didn’t expect the venue to be in full party mode, with the front of the stage already crowded and the bar slinging libations like clockwork. It always warms my heart when I see a large turnout for a local show. Our hometown bands deserve the love. To make matters more exciting, Kaya’s Embrace were filming the show for a project to be released later this year.
This was my second or third time in Purgatory since the new renovations, which included added floor space and a fresh bathroom remodel with more marble surface than graffiti and stickers. I applaud the Masquerade for giving Purgatory a facelift as many local bands cut their teeth in this room before setting their sights on completing the holy trinity of playing in Hell and Heaven. However, I will miss the couches that were behind the bar as they made for a nice chill out spot between sets. The cost of progress, I guess.
AndLove
To open the night, AndLove took the stage led by their charismatic frontman Timmy Halischak. I’ve seen the group perform numerous times at OTP bars, including one of my favorite haunts—MacCracken’s in Marietta Square. The last time I caught one of their sets was before the pandemic, so it was a treat to listen to what they’ve been working on. They were just as tight as they were back in 2019, leading fans to cheer out nicknames Halischak has claimed over the years, including Timmy Buffet. AndLove even had the crowd roaring for an encore, something I’ve rarely experienced for a local band. The group obliged with a raucous cover of Green Day’s “Basket Case.”
After the Ashley LaRue Band kept the crowd vibing, Kaya’s Embrace kicked off one dance party of a set. I have only seen the group once when I booked them for last year’s inaugural Cabbagetown Bake Sale. At the time, they had recently expanded their lineup to include a saxophone player who proceeded to steal the spotlight, as only sax players can. They were a crowd favorite, and, since then, I’ve started following them more closely.
Kaya’s Embrace
On this night, the group seemed to undergo a massive glow up—not just because they headlined the show, but also by how dynamic they sounded. Frontman Alex Jay Grossman put his velvety vocals to work while also playing a melodica—a welcome twist that was absent the last time I saw them. The rest of the band had an even-keeled balance with natural tradeoffs within each song that let each member shine. To make things even more magical, Kaya’s Embrace had Halischak and Ashley LaRue join them on stage for some tunes. Maybe it’s just me, bu there’s always something thrilling about watching artists collaborating together in the moment.
The tradition of ska and reggae rock in Atlanta, once championed by the Bastard Suns and some lost names since, has found footing once again within Kaya’s Embrace. Looks like swinging legs and vibrant horns are back in for 2025.
More Info
Web: kayasembrace.com
Facebook: @KayasEmbrace
Instagram: @kayas_embrace
Twitter/X: @Kayas_Embrace
Bandcamp: andlove.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: @andlovemusic
Instagram: @andlovemusic
SoundCloud: @andlove