By casey habetler dean | november 17, 2024
Impeccable vibes filled Bogart’s on Wednesday night, setting the stage for four diverse bands that each brought something different to the show. The crowd—mostly younger adults—filtered in, many sporting a variety of psychedelic and quirky Microwave-themed merch. For many, this was a return trip after Microwave had opened for The Menzingers at the same venue just a year ago.
The night kicked off with Ben Quad, who wasted no time injecting energy into the room. Frequent circle pits erupted as their intense and melodic sound filled the space. Between the heavier moments, the band lightened the mood with some comic relief during guitar tuning, including a playful fake-out where they teased an American Football cover.
Next up, Just Friends, the self-proclaimed “party people,” brought their high-energy, feel-good set of upbeat anthems. Their crowd-pleasing performance included a cover of Joyce Manor’s “Falling In Love Again,” which was met with cheers from the crowd.
Prince Daddy and the Hyena followed, and it was clear they had a dedicated fanbase in the room. Fans shouted the lyrics to every song, with the band feeding off the crowd’s energy to deliver an unforgettable performance
When it was time for Microwave to take the stage, the audience was ready—no one moved as techs set up the stage, complete with large mushroom inflatables to match the band’s psychedelic aesthetic. Opening with the title track from their latest album Let’s Start Degeneracy, Microwave dove into a set that spanned their entire discography, including tracks from their split EP with Head North. Their sound was genre-defying, effortlessly shifting between soft, melodic moments and heavier, grunge-inspired guitar riffs. The dynamic drumming and emotive delivery drew fans into a collective trance, and it was clear that Microwave’s ability to blend diverse styles was one of the night’s biggest highlights.
From heavy to melodic, introspective to raucous, Microwave captured a raw, emotional energy that resonated with the crowd. The crowd, myself included, will undoubtedly be waiting for their next Cincinnati show!
Casey Habetler Dean is a freelance photojournalist for Majestic Music Magazine. See more of their work here
