It still feels surreal to be at live events, even though they have been popping off since May. I’ve already been to a few shows this year including Walden’s sold-out gig at Sweetwater Brewery and Seven Year Witch headlining my first concert post-lockdown at Smith’s Olde Bar. I know we’ve all been posting on our socials how much we miss live music, but that feeling really hits home when you finally get to go out again. Each venue I return to after the long hiatus slowly repairs the part of my soul that thrives on the live experience. I am pining hard to get back to music festivals this fall.
Recently, I was asked by Bri Foxx, ringleader of the local troupe Toxic Foxtrot to cover their show at the Masquerade with fellow locals Bad Guru and Half Hot. I could feel the excitement in her Facebook messages as the gig was booked in Heaven, a stage that many local bands strive to play on. I felt compelled to accept her invitation as I still hadn’t been back to the Masquerade after the long pandemic shutdown. It was just icing on the cake for my first show back to be with two of my favorite local bands, Toxic Foxtrot and Half Hot.
Upon arriving at the Masquerade, I could hear Toxic Foxtrot doing their soundcheck. I got led back to load in by Half Hot’s Tyler Messer where I ended up running into the one and only Joe Warren, one of the gurus of local booking at the Masquerade. We all went inside to get libations to appease the music gods for giving us our live shows. I settled into the crowd and buckled in for one hell of a night filled with shenanigans, drama, mischief, and lots of dancing.
Half Hot started off the night with the flare and gusto of true glam rock. Their shows have only gotten better over the years and the band did not allow the COVID layoff to slow them down. Andrew “Goosey” Hughes, the frontman and lead guitarist, sparkled in a starry catsuit with the rest of the group looking very dapper. Shrouded in fog effects, the band proceeded to deliver a polished performance that proved they belonged on that storied stage.
Up next was Bad Guru, a hard rock band with a female vocalist that took command of the stage. The band worked on an album during COVID that will be released soon. You may have heard them on Rock 100.5 during one of their Homebrew local spotlights. In any case, I was impressed by their sound and their stage presence and I can see opportunities beginning to open up for them in the near future.
After years of blood, sweat, and tears, Toxic Foxtrot took triumphantly to the stage. Over the pandemic, Foxx concocted some stage production for the band’s set, including costumes, a lightsaber battle, and theatrics with a Randy “Macho Man” Savage-like character towards the end of the set. This newly added twist to the group’s iconic ‘70s jam band vibe elevated their set to power levels not quite over 9000 but definitely moving that way. As someone that has covered dozens of shows over the years, it is always rewarding to see a band evolve their performance to best match their persona as artists. Artists that embrace this kind of chance often find success in just being genuine, and I see Toxic Foxtrot inch towards that limelight with each passing show.
To all those who are still skeptical about live music and the post-lockdown life, lots of bands are starting to play now. Go out and support some local artists. If you need a suggestion, the Masquerade has Atlanta’s own glimmers playing Purgatory on July 30th. Maggie Schneider, frontwoman for glimmers, is honestly our city’s Hayley Williams. This won’t be a show to miss.
More Info
Facebook: @ToxicFoxtrot
Instagram: @toxicfoxtrot
Twitter: @toxicfoxtrot