Hollywood Undead, Tech N9ne, Set It Off, Zero 9:36
April 12, 2025
MacEwan Hall, Calgary, AB
It may be mid-April, but I rolled through wind, rain, and even snow to capture Hollywood Undead & Tech N9ne on the “Hollywood & N9ne Returns” tour in Calgary.
Kicking off the night were Zero 9:36, an upcoming rap/rock heavy-hitting trio that almost missed the show after being stranded in the mountains for nearly 16 hours after their bus broke down. “Even if you think we suck, please buy a shirt, we could really use the help right now..” which was a fair ask of the sold-out crowd in attendance. They made it with 45 minutes to spare. Their 25-minute set was honest, blistering, and a ton of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed, and highly recommend checking them out.
I’m gonna be honest here, Set It Off were the band I was most looking forward to. Their infusion of pop-punk with catchy melodies and choruses (check out Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing) led to a set that felt familiar, despite the band being new on my radar. Super fun, with tons of crowd interaction, and an explosively high-energy performance that set the pace and pumped the crowd for the main event.
A powerhouse co-headline tour that featured Tech N9ne and Hollywood Undead both playing 65-minute sets,
Tech N9ne delivered an unrelenting barrage, including bangers “Riotmaker”, “Worldwide Choppers”, and a cover of his collaboration with Falling In Reverse – “Ronnie”. Known for his frenetic, machine-gun style rapping, Tech N9ne delivered an unrelenting show that clearly showcased why he’s reached the level of acclaim he has.
Hollywood Undead capped off the night with what I can only describe as an insanely chaotic, fun party vibe. Keeping track of the members was a challenge because they were constantly switching instruments and relocating to different parts of the stage, and damn… were there 7 of them? It was wild! But it was fun, it was tight, and the crowd absolutely ate it up. With a solid offering of material such as “Riot”, “California Dreaming”, and “Comin’ on Hot”, they also mixed in some covers, including a nod to Bohemian Rhapsody, Du Hast, and Sweet Caroline at various points in the set.
The lighting for the two headliners was almost as incendiary as their performances, with a ton of flashing, strobing lights accented with rapid changes and way too much haze, providing an exceptionally difficult photography environment. Still, I’m grateful to F7 Entertainment for having me out, and I’m never one to back away from a challenge.
If you have the opportunity to catch this tour, do it! It’s a great mix of bands and styles, and an absolute must-see tour this spring.