The Broken Heart Collector Tour rolled into Philadelphia after a long-awaited arrival and delivered one of the most intimate shows the city has ever seen. The tour was originally supposed to happen in the fall, but after the artist’s brother took his own life on his birthday, the timing simply wasn’t right. Their heads weren’t in the right place, so the tour was pushed back and tickets were refunded. That didn’t affect the turnout here — it was clear their fans would show up whenever and wherever.
Bringing together both hip-hop and metal fans into Warehouse On Watts like a secret alt-rock recipe you needed an invite for, the venue was jam-packed with new faces from all walks of life. Tonight was about unity, healing, and a performance unlike anything else. Ekoh and Arankai brought their broken heart collection to the city — and quickly found out what brotherly love truly means.
Arankai, a Wisconsin-based metalcore band formed by Archers bassist/vocalist Oscar Porter, is anything but new to the scene. Co-headlining this tour and embarking on their first official run, the band’s fanbase is growing rapidly thanks to social media, even getting their single “Dead Throne” over 100 plays on SiriusXM Octane after fans spammed DJs — including metal ambassador Jose Mangin — to play it. Porter opened their set with that very track, instantly getting the crowd off their feet.
A few songs in, he ordered a pit to open up, and the crowd delivered. Between songs, Porter spoke openly about mental health and how he was in a dark place before starting this band, even recalling a moment where he contemplated taking his own life. He thanked his wife for pulling him out of that darkness — and then thanked every person in that room. Porter’s voice is a powerful force with a “Corpse-like” effect that feels ripped from his soul. Some fans even speculate the two vocalists are related or the same person — that’s how similar they sound. Whether he is the faceless Corpse singer or not, one thing is clear: this band is headed for greatness. The unity and energy they brought with them were unforgettable.
Ekoh needed no introduction, though his DJ couldn’t resist hyping the crowd with some massive bass drops. This alt-rock independent rapper blends life’s toughest battles with hope and unity, and the love coming back at him from the crowd was immediate. Ekoh spent time in the audience, vibing with fans, and even slipped to the side of the stage to greet a couple of kids decked out in his merch. It’s obvious that Ekoh isn’t just an artist — he’s a movement. A community. And he’s doing it all without a label.
He spoke about turning down multiple record deals, saying he’s yet to see one worth signing. Between songs, he often reminded fans to reach out when their mental health isn’t right, reinforcing that no one is alone. Anyone who has lost someone to suicide knows you never truly “recover” — you just learn to love deeper.
Ekoh also dropped a huge announcement: he has a collaboration coming next year with hardcore legends Dayseeker. He closed his hour-long set with a tribute to Chester Bennington — a hip-hop rendition of Linkin Park’s “In the End” — followed by his fan-favorite “Freeverse 3,” known for his love of Vans shoes. That song even led to Vans reaching out and saying, “We don’t know what you’re doing, but we like it,” and giving him his own collaboration.
As soon as the track began, Ekoh called out, “You know what to do,” and fans immediately started throwing their Vans on stage. His crew collected every pair so he could sign them before the song ended — even tiny baby Vans. Afterward, he didn’t run offstage. He stayed, returning shoes one by one, hugging fans, taking photos, and signing anything they wanted. A truly down-to-earth and humble artist.
It’s easy to see why both musicians are so loved. Both were found mingling with fans throughout the night, even with VIP upgrades happening before the show that offered merch and intimate conversations. They delivered music people turn to when life feels like it’s crashing down — and they gave those same fans a place to feel understood.
I highly recommend catching this tour if it comes anywhere near you. And if not, don’t sleep on either of these artists — no matter what form of rock you’re into.
Ekoh Tour
Photos: Brittany Lynn / Rock Documented – Warehouse On Watts
