Microwave Performs For A Sold-Out Crowd at Asbury Lanes with Ben Quad, Just Friends, and Prince Daddy & The Hyena 11/16/24

Photography & Review by Amber Bintliff

Published on January 10, 2024
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The Pure Noise Records Tour made its way to Asbury Park, New Jersey for a sold-out show at Asbury Lanes featuring Microwave, Ben Quad, Just Friends and Prince Daddy & The Hyena.

 

Ben Quad has been my personal breakthrough artist of 2024. I absolutely love these guys! Their set was so much fun and I’m super glad the Oklahoma emo band made their way to Jersey finally. I even got to hear some of my favorites from them, including “You’ll Get Nothing And Like It,” and “Would You Tell Picasso To Sell His Guitars?”

Just Friends was another super fun set. They had the whole crowd moving the entire time they were on stage, whether they were jumping, dancing, moshing–you name it, the crowd was doing it. My favorite part, however, was how they said they needed to see at least 10 crowdsurfers or their label wouldn’t pay them (…and trust me, they definitely had a lot more than 10). The crowd was super energetic for Just Friends and I’ve been listening to them nonstop since this night. 

Last up before Microwave was Prince Daddy & The Hyena, and they are a band I will never get tired of seeing live. They are always so much fun to be in the crowd for and this show was no exception. Their setlist was also absolutely stacked, consisting of fan-favorites like “El Dorado,” “Really?” and “Adult Summers (PART 2).” 

 

By the time Microwave was about to hit the stage, Asbury Lanes felt like it was overflowing with people. Seriously, I have never seen that place as packed as it was for the Atlanta emo trio. The stage was adorned with gigantic vibrant red and blue mushrooms which I really liked. It gave the stage a sense of life and a fresh, colorful look. I watched as fans waited for the band to come onstage and could feel the anticipation, anxiety, and excitement radiating off them. Whether it was their first or hundredth time seeing Microwave, it was really awesome to see how passionate the fans in the crowd were before the show even began. 

 

 

Once Microwave began their set, the energy in the room completely shifted. I’ve seen this band two times now, but this show exceeded my expectations. I had so much fun during the duration of the night watching mosh pits form next to me and crowdsurfers go up in the air. They put on such an amazing show that I was genuinely sad when they said they only had one song left. I’m so glad I got to catch Microwave on the Pure Noise Records Tour and can’t wait to eventually see them again next time they come around.