Lacey Sturm is taking the East Coast by storm with Islander providing direct support. Of course, this isn’t the first time the two bands have worked side by side. In 2022, Lacey Sturm and Islander collaborated for the title track on Islander’s It’s Not Easy Being Human. Sturm and Islander vocalist Mikey Caravajal also participate in the non-profit organization The Whosoevers. The organization works worldwide to help individuals discover their purpose. With some common ground, the bands eventually teamed up and announced the Kenotic Metanoia Tour in May.
The tour kicked off in late June in Frenchtown, New Jersey on the 28th. After the third stop of the tour, Thompson, Connecticut’s Capulet Fest was canceled, along with the rest of the Sunday lineup; the tour found Lacey Sturm and company in the East Williamsburg area of Brooklyn on July 2nd. The intimate venue of the Brooklyn Monarch guaranteed fans a close and personal experience with the acts slated for the night. Those looking to add to that experience could also take advantage of a meet and greet package that included a photo op, Q&A with Lacey Sturm, and signed merch.
In addition to the three advertised acts, a fourth was set to hit the Brooklyn stage, with Gina Fritz dialed in to take on the night’s early-comers. Fans who frequent the Brooklyn Monarch may have recognized Fritz from her set earlier in the year in support of Escape The Fate who played the venue back in March. Last year, Fritz released a YouTube video covering Flyleaf’s “All Around Me” and now she has the pleasure of opening a show for Lacey Sturm. Her set included tracks off her EP Fake Fragile including, “Over It.” A great addition to the bill, Fritz’s time on stage was a great way to kick off the night.
Gina Fritz
Up next to the stage was Dallas, Texas’s Amethyst Michelle. Vocalist Amethyst Michelle, Guitarist Tanner Jay Kogel, Bassist Patrick Kennedy, and Drummer Christian Minth arrived in fashion, with each member sporting a ruffled lace choker that was handcrafted by Michelle’s father. Envious fans could pick up their very own at the merch table amongst the usual band fare. The band has been gaining steam and earned the right to play as part of Fort Worth Texas’s So What?! Music Festival after winning a Battle of the Bands less than a month before their tour with Lacey Sturm kicked off.
The band showcased their new EP Through the Tears, including singles “Shut The Hell Up” and an energetic cover of Metric’s “Black Sheep”. Rest assured Amethyst Michelle makes the most of their time on stage and was as much an integral part of this tour as Islander and Lacey Sturm. The band’s energy is infectious and the tracks will leave you curious for more. You can just feel there’s a lot more in store for Amethyst Michelle and that it’s only a matter of time before every rock fan knows their name.
Amethyst Michelle
Halfway through the night’s festivities, it was time for Islander to take over the Brooklyn venue. Much like Amethyst Michelle before them, Mikey Carvajal (Vocals) and brother Chris Carvajal (Bass) had some recent achievements worth bragging about. Sitting behind only bands Nothing More and 200 Stab Wounds, Islander’s newest release, Grammy Nominated holds the #3 spot on Apple’s Music Chart for Metal albums and is nothing short of impressive. The album was the band’s first independent release. Carvajal humorously quipped “Well, Super Mario Bros. 3 is better than Super Mario Bros.1” regarding that feat. Furthermore, the band was also celebrating the tenth anniversary of Violence & Destruction.
The band’s debut album was on display early with “Counteract” and later with “Hearts Grow Cold” and the closer of “Coconut Dracula”. In between, cuts of newer tracks like “Serpents and Daggers” and “Witch” got the spotlight”. Lacey Sturm even got in on the night early, joining Islander for “It’s Not Easy Being Human”. Touring members Michael Thomas (Guitar) and Tyler Armenta (Drums) kept the beats coming.
Humorously, and quite unexpectedly, the band slowed the show down to ask about none other than Metal Insider being in the building leading to this confused journalist being invited on stage to shoot as the band breezed into “What a Time To Be Alive.” Another fan was soon urged on stage and given a chance to crowd surf back into the crowd. One song later the band shared the cake with fans for “Hearts Grow Cold,” sending the cake out to crowdsurf amongst the fans. A sweet gesture, on multiple levels.
Islander’s chaotic and party-like demeanor found a way to leave the band’s stamp on the night. The following day the band took some time in NBC to take a photo in front of NBC Studios with Jimmy Fallon for their social media. Their goal is to one day grace the late-night host’s stage and it may just be a matter of “when” and not “if” at this point. Grammy Nominated continues to gain steam. “No Label, No Politics. No BS,” the band says, and right now that seems to be working out great for them.
Islander
For Lacey Sturm fans, it was finally time for the main event. While her cameo during Islander’s performance was enjoyable, fans were ready for her to grace the stage alongside Ben Hull (Bass) and her husband Josh Sturm (Guitar). Tyler Armenta pulled double duty on drums. The band opened up their set with the new track “Intro (My Heartbeat)” as fans cheered. Sturm then took her fans back to Flyleaf with the hit “I’m So Sick”, the first of three songs that Sturm had in store for the Flyleaf faithful. Sturm took some time to give Hull praise for his work on “Rot” before journeying into the track.
A cover of Breaking Benjamin’s “Dear Agony” soon joined the setlist as the band nailed their take on the song. Kenotic Metanoia was on full display after the cover as cuts of “Reconcile,” “Wonderful,” “Thief” and “Not Your Fight” all came to life on the Brooklyn stage. In the case of “Thief”, Hull and Armeta left the stage so that the husband and wife duo could play the track acoustically. Between tracks, Lacey Sturm opened up about her life to the New York crowd, giving extra credence to the emotional tracks that had come before and after them. The longest of these monologues was delivered between two Flyleaf tracks “Fully Alive” and “All Around Me.” The band then closed out their set with the new “End The Wars” before thanking fans and calling it a night.
While fans will always hold Lacey Sturm’s past with Flyleaf near and dear, her solo journey has been equally important to the music world. Sturm’s voice stands out, even amongst the best in the business. The band’s East Coast trek for the Kenotic Metanoia Tour wraps up on July 18th in Birmingham Alabama. Kenotic Metanoia Deluxe Edition released on June 28th, 2024, and features a new track “Forever & Ever” featuring Lindsey Stirling along with a multitude of early demos and live tracks. Time will tell if Flyleaf will announce more festival dates while Sturm’s solo act will surely continue to roll out additional tour dates as well.
Lacey Sturm
