Vana has been building momentum fast, carving out a lane in the rock and metal space that’s entirely her own — pop-sharp melodies pushed through distortion and heavy breakdowns in a way that’s immediately accessible without sacrificing any of the bite. Before heading further into her first headlining run, she made a stop at Allentown’s Archer Music Hall, bringing a stacked lineup with her for a night that made clear this tour is more than just a warm-up act for whatever comes next.
RedHook opened the night and wasted no time making an impression. Frontwoman Emmy Mack set the tone immediately with “Bomb.com,” which hit like a shot of adrenaline – flashing lights, club energy, and enough infectious momentum to pull in even the people still finding their spots in the room. What stood out about their set was how much it shifted across the course of it, moving through different textures and moods in a way that felt deliberate rather than scattered. Mack even changed outfits between segments, a small touch that kept the performance feeling dynamic and visually alive throughout.
Deadlands followed and brought the room somewhere darker. Their set leaned into heavier territory, anchored by the raw vocal delivery of Kasey Karlsen, and the crowd responded in kind -moshing, a wall of death, the kind of physical engagement that tells you a band has the room exactly where they want it. The connection between the band and the audience was real, and by the time they wrapped, it was hard not to walk away curious about where they’re headed next.
Eyes Set to Kill have been a fixture in this scene long enough to know exactly what a room like the Archer needs, and they delivered it without missing a step. Their set brought a different kind of weight to the night – melodic but intense, with the kind of sharp dynamic range that comes from years of knowing how to work a crowd. They held the room’s attention completely and set the stage perfectly for what was coming.
By the time Vana took the stage, the crowd was primed, and she met the moment. The highlight of the set came with “In Your Name,” which hit harder live than it does on record – the contrast between the melody and the breakdowns landed with real force, and the crowd tracked every shift with it. For an artist still working toward a debut full-length, she performed with a level of control and confidence that didn’t feel like someone still figuring things out. With an album expected later this fall, the Archer stop felt less like an introduction and more like a signal of where things are going. The next time she comes through, it’ll likely be to a bigger room.
Vana Tour
