concert review: TX2 ends the Cruel World Tour in LA.
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Ending the cruel world tour last night, TX2, tiLLie and Flat Out's last stop was the Teregram Ballroom in Downtown Los Angeles. Although I unfortunately missed Flat Out's set, I was able to see tiLLie and TX2's set in full. The show was filled with extremely high energy, positive vibes, and inclusivity. With tiLLie warm and open energy and TX2's electric performance, the show definitely was one that stood out.
Hailing from Fort Collins, Colorado, TX2 is an exciting new artist on the rise. He has a strong ability to take his pain and experiences and morph them into powerful ballads that many young people relate to. He uses his platform and voice to support many marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, often playing at protests and giving those in the community a safe space to reside in. His music helps people know that they're not alone in the world end that there are always like minded people out there you can lean on when times get difficult. He has also started a movement called the “X Movement" that his fans hold warmly in their hearts. It's a movement to bring awareness to mental health issues as well as a space for those who may be in need of some outside support. One message that stands out to me is that the group is not afraid to address the issue of some artists preying on easily influenced young fans and minors and advocates safety for those fans. The group p is extremely interactive with their fanbase, which is really refreshing to see in a world so controlled by social media instead of personable interactions. TX2 stands for what we need to see in the world; equality, safety, and support for everyone.
Going viral due to their song 'I Would Hate Me Too” in 2023, TX2 was signed to Hopeless Records in July of 2023. Their sound takes influences and inspirations from bands like My Chemical Romance, Get Scared, Hollywood Undead, Ice Nine Kills and more. His first EP DROP DEAD was released in 2022 with the second EP, first under Heartless Records, being released in 2023 (titled Ghost of LA). He has released many singles, a few other EPs, and a studio album titled 99 Proof in 2019. The most recent release was a single done with Hopelessly Devoted To You called “Cry” in November of 2024.
The group consists of vocalist Timothy Evan Thomas (TX2), guitarist and backup vocalist Cameron “Cam” Rostami (Superblood), and bassist Courtney “Corky” Howard (Corky). Drummer Ethan Church joined them for the Cruel World Tour.
To pay homage to TX2’’s influences, they started off the set by playing “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance. The song was then followed by flashing bright lights as the members took the stage one by one. TX2 himself came out last and they instantly broke into the heavy hitting riffs of their song “Black Wedding.” Immediately it was pretty obvious how strong his stage presence was: he used every inch of the stage to his advantage, moving effortlessly around and still giving room to his bandmates, never impending on their space on stage. The group works together extremely well, their different elements blending together seamlessly, even with the new addition of youngster Ethan Church on drums. The whole set was very captivating and pleasing to watch (and hear). His interaction with the crowd was also wonderful to watch: his way of interacting with them made it feel like they were part of the show as well and not just seeing someone perform. Sometimes when it comes to seeing artists live it just feels like we’re watching people up there and they don’t even know that we’re there. With TX2 it felt like we were experiencing something together, not being divided by a stage. All four of the members had strong stage presences, never outshining one another. They were a team and it was very evident that they work as one.
The whole set was full of high energy across the different styles of songs they played: some had heavy breakdowns with intense hardcore riffs while others leaned more to the pop punk side of things. The second to last song that they played is a song called “Mad” that features the band Ice Nine Kills. While performing the song Flat Out came out to sing it with them, including member Joe Occhiuti who happens to also be the bassist of Ice Nine Kills.
I had the chance to see TX2 perform live at Ice Nine Kills’ Silver Scream Con back in September of 2023. The growth that they’ve made as musicians and performers was very apparent between the two performances. Although the first time I saw them was very impactful and enjoyable to watch, the show last night shined above the first. Their stage presence seemed to be a lot more confident in many different ways; their dynamic, their energy and their musicality as a whole.
I genuinely enjoyed myself at this show a lot more than I expected, and I do eagerly await TX2’s return to Los Angeles.
Self-titling her music “Nightmare Pop," tiLLie is an extremely magnetic artist. She takes warm and bright pop melodies with heavier topics in her lyrics, making her messages even more digestible and relatable. Like TX2 she takes a lot of her past and personal experiences and turns them into stories with her songs. One of the topics she uses is the church and growing up surrounded by religion, specifically Christianity. Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia she felt a little out of place and with her music she gives a space for those who have felt or feel similarly. She hasn't released any full length albums but has released multiple EPS and many singles, the most recent release being "Christian With A Gun” in November of 2024.
Although her music addresses many heavy topics, her set felt extremely warm, open and welcoming. She has a very captivating and magnetic sound and energy that although her music not the kind I find myself listening to, I was instantly hooked. Her interaction with the crowd was very sweet and genuine and you could feel the safe space she has created with her music. I look forward to tiLLie’s upcoming projects and will definitely try to catch her on the next tour she goes on.
