Uncut Collective Media
Microwave Brings Emotionally Charged Chaos to The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix
March 7, 2020 • by Phyoe Thaung
On March 5, 2020, The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, Arizona, hosted a night of emotionally charged performances as Microwave returned to the stage for their 'Death Is a Warm Blanket' tour. Supported by A Will Away, Weakened Friends, and Bad Luck., the evening showcased a blend of alternative rock, punk, and emo influences, reaffirming the resilience and passion of the live music scene.​
​
​Bad Luck., a Brooklyn-based duo, opened the night with a high-energy set that immediately connected with the crowd. Their performance featured emotionally charged lyrics and punchy arrangements, reflecting their DIY roots and evolving alt-rock sound. A mix of material from their earlier releases highlighted their knack for melody-driven aggression, setting a strong tone for the rest of the night.​
Weakened Friends, a Portland, Maine-based trio, followed with a raw indie-punk set infused with grunge undertones. Opening with “Blue Again” from their debut album Common Blah, lead vocalist and guitarist Sonia Sturino drew the crowd in with her sharp, emotionally cutting vocal delivery. Backed by drummer Adam Hand and bassist Annie Hoffman, the band delivered a tight, electrifying set that balanced melodic intensity with lyrical vulnerability. Sturino took a moment between songs to speak candidly about mental health, a theme threaded throughout the band’s discography.​
A Will Away, hailing from Naugatuck, Connecticut, brought a moodier, melodic set that leaned into alt-pop and ‘80s-inspired rock. The four-piece band, consisting of Matt Carlson, Collin Waldron, John McSweeney, and Sean Dibble, offered a tonal shift from the other acts. Their anthemic choruses and shimmering guitar work resonated with the crowd, with songs like “Into the Light” and “Pay Raise” bringing a singalong energy that offered a welcome moment of collective release. Their ability to ride the line between emotional weight and accessible pop-rock polish made their performance a standout.​
Finally, Microwave took the stage to a room primed and buzzing. Still riding the momentum of their critically acclaimed 2019 record Death Is a Warm Blanket, the Atlanta quartet — Nathan Hardy (vocals/guitar), Tyler Hill (bass), and Timothy “Tito” Pittard (drums) — wasted no time diving into their most aggressive material. They opened with “Leather Daddy,” the snarling first track from their latest album, instantly pulling the audience into a wall of sound. The band’s signature fusion of emo, grunge, and post-hardcore came alive in the tight quarters of The Rebel Lounge.
​
Throughout the set, Hardy and Tyler Hill traded vocals on the more guttural, screamo-driven sections, giving songs like “Float to the Top” and “Mirrors” an added layer of urgency and grit. The band closed the night with a powerful rendition of “Part of It,” blending atmosphere, intensity, and emotional devastation in one final blow.
Despite the looming uncertainty of early 2020, the night at The Rebel Lounge was a defiant reminder of live music’s power to unify, energize, and heal. With four emotionally potent performances, the show didn’t feel like a tour stop — it felt like a gathering of kindred spirits. As the amps cooled and fans poured out into the cool desert air, there was a collective sense that this night would be remembered, not just for the music, but for the connection it fostered.
​
