Jonny Hawkins of Nothing More has been fronting the band throughout their rise from independent releases to major-label success.

Nothing More brought the 25 Years of Noise tour into The Ritz in Raleigh on January 16, 2026, framing the night as both a celebration of longevity and a reminder of how hard-earned their position has been. Formed in San Antonio and grinding for years before their mainstream breakthrough, the band’s catalog—Nothing More (2014), The Stories We Tell Ourselves (2017), Spirits (2022), and subsequent releases—charts a steady refinement of modern hard rock that balances technical muscle with emotional directness. This tour pulls heavily from that arc, leaning into fan favorites while reinforcing the band’s evolution rather than treating the anniversary as nostalgia. The Raleigh crowd was fully engaged from the first moments, with front-to-back movement and loud call-and-response vocals. Visually, the set emphasized stark lighting shifts and clean, forceful staging rather than spectacle for its own sake, with the band’s touring production team keeping sightlines tight and the soundboard delivering a punchy, articulate mix that let dynamics breathe. Merchandise leaned practical and bold—tour-branded apparel and vinyl tied directly to the anniversary theme. Nothing More continue to release music through Better Noise Music and remain active in mental health advocacy and veteran-support causes, efforts they’ve spoken about consistently over the years. https://nothingmore.net

Nothing More

Catch Your Breath have spent the last several years carving out space in the modern metalcore and post-hardcore conversation, and this tour slot underscored how far they’ve come. Emerging from Texas with a sound that blends atmospheric weight and sharp hooks, their recent releases have built a dedicated following that showed up early and loud. Their set in Raleigh was focused and efficient, delivering tight performances that emphasized rhythm and clarity over excess movement, and the audience responded with steady engagement that grew song by song. Lighting remained minimal but effective, driven by the tour’s shared production framework, and the soundboard mix favored low-end control and vocal intelligibility—crucial for their style. Merchandise skewed toward clean graphic design and tour-specific items, reflecting a band still in growth mode but confident in its identity. Catch Your Breath release music independently and through modern digital-forward channels, and while awards are still ahead of them, their momentum suggests that recognition is only a matter of time. https://catchyourbreathband.com

Catch Your Breath

The Archers brought a sharper, more technical edge to the lineup, reflecting a career built on precision and consistency rather than hype. Known for disciplined songwriting and a performance style that prioritizes execution, their discography shows steady refinement rather than dramatic reinvention. On this tour, their set served as a connective thread between the opener and the headliner, tightening the room’s focus and elevating energy levels without overreaching. Stage visuals stayed restrained, relying on synchronized lighting cues and a balanced mix that highlighted musicianship. The Archers’ crew maintained clean transitions and dependable sound throughout the night, and their merchandise table reflected a band that understands its core audience—vinyl, apparel, and tour exclusives presented without gimmicks. While not widely decorated with mainstream awards, they’ve earned respect within the scene through touring discipline and consistent releases, and they’ve spoken publicly about supporting local community initiatives when on the road. https://www.archersband.com

Archers

Doobie opened the evening with the confidence of an artist who understands how to command a room before it’s full. His career, rooted in a blend of hip-hop and alternative rock influences, has steadily expanded through independent releases and relentless touring. The Raleigh crowd responded quickly, drawn in by a set that balanced direct delivery with controlled intensity. Production was stripped down and effective, allowing performance to take center stage, with the house and tour audio teams keeping levels crisp and forward. Merchandise reflected Doobie’s independent ethos, offering straightforward branding and limited-run tour items. While major awards haven’t yet defined his trajectory, his growing discography and increasing tour visibility point toward an artist building something durable rather than fleeting. Doobie has also been vocal about mental health awareness and community support, themes that align naturally with the broader spirit of the tour. https://doobiemusic.com

Doobie