On Thursday, October 2, two touring bands, Universe and Meldrop, came to Reno, Nevada, and performed with local legend Charity Kiss. The three bands rocked the stage at one of Reno’s most popular music venues, The Holland Project, located on 140 Vesta St.
Given the audience’s reaction, the line-up was an upbeat, fun, and amazing mash of rock, dance, and funky music. All the bands brought energy, helping pump up the audience.
Starting with a local Santa Cruz band, Universe, the show began with an electric, dance-heavy feel. They blended elements of both raw and electronic music to make the sound pop and alternative.
The lead vocalist made sure to connect with everyone in the audience. She looked at everyone while singing, and when she said to dance, she danced too. After the concert, the band stuck around and talked to their supporters, establishing their gratitude for the positivity shown by the crowd.
The next band to perform was titled Meldrop, from Tacoma. The music was indie-rock, with a hint of jazz. According to Meldrop’s official website, the band was created after two coworkers randomly decided to play together, marking the beginning of the band. During the show, the band played music that had people begging for more.
“This band was an all-time favorite to watch,” August Stepper, an audience member, said. “The energy the band brought left me searching for their music online.”
Not only did the band crush it on stage, but they were also connecting with the audience outside the show. The members were at the merch stand and asked many questions, trying to further know the person purchasing their products. It made it clear to people that the band cared about knowing their fans than just performing for money.
Lastly, the final band to perform was Charity Kiss, a well-known local band that has performed in The Holland Project multiple times. This band classifies itself as a “Reno rock” band and is known for keeping the audience moving and moshing due to the energy they bring.
Charity Kiss has been a part of the local scene since 2018 and has released a multitude of their own original music. They are currently fundraising for their next album and have already raised over half of what they need.
As the closers, Charity Kiss was in charge of ending the show on a good note, which they completed and even exceeded. At the end of their set, the audience was pleading for one more song, which they listened to and did, performing “Rough and Tumble”, a song from their most recent album, Slackademic.
They also thanked the audience for their support throughout the years and gave their set lists to crowd members to further acknowledge the dedication of their supporters.
Overall, the concert was filled with dancing, singing along, and bands showcasing their talent and appreciation for their supporters. The concert was a perfect mash-up of three bands, and all of them gave a similar reaction to the audience, while still having different genres, creating a blend of amazing growing bands.
