A buzzing energy hung in the air as the crowd, packed shoulder to shoulder, began to grow restless from anticipation. Deep-toned notes vibrating throughout the floorboards accompanied the echoing of the bass encircling The Rave’s sold-out ballroom. It was not until a man in leather pants and a matching glimmering vest appeared on stage that the crowd fell into a frenzy.
Headlining his first North American tour, The Late Nights & Young Romance Tour, musical artist Sombr performed on September 29 at The Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., with Devon Gabriella as his opening musical guest.
The artist began his set with the song, “ I Wish I Knew How to Quit You,” from his newest album, “I Barely Know Her,” which was released on August 22.
While the album itself has yet to receive any awards, his track “Back to Friends” won MTV’s Best Alternative Video award on September 7.
However, Sombr’s recent successes are only the result of his staying persistent and committed to growing his music career.
“I remember his song ‘Caroline’ going viral, but I didn’t get into his music until ‘Back to Friends’ went viral, and it got me hooked,” said concert-goer Alianna Nogal, of Beloit, Wisconsin.
Sombr first gained a larger following in 2022 after his song, “Caroline,” gained popularity for its indie-pop chords and lyrics, where he repetitively calls out for a Caroline persona in a desperate and heartbroken manner.
As a result of the song being a major hit, it further boosted his budding career and gained him a record deal with Warner Records. Since then, Sombr has become notorious for his social media presence, where he uploads videos on the platform TikTok, not only lip-syncing to his own songs, but also creating comedic videos that appeal to trending online jokes.
Additionally, TikTok has also been a significant factor in his rise to fame, as various songs of his have gained publicity on the app. Songs like “Undressed,” “Back to Friends,” “12 to 12,” and others have gained popularity this year.
“Sombr’s concert was mesmerizing and had a high energetic atmosphere, dynamic lighting, and a unique set design,” said Milwaukee resident and concert-goer Catrina Torres.
At the center of the stage, with his band accompanying from behind, stood an animated Sombr dancing across the stage while singing woefully into his microphone. While many of his songs are based on the grieving of a romantic relationship, it has only further established a relatability between the singer and his fans in the form of a catchy tune.
Mallory Arnold, a concert-goer and resident of Milwaukee, expressed her appreciation for the artist’s lively stage presence.
“The amount of jumping he did off of the furniture [on stage] and the ‘call your ex’ segment really caught me by surprise,” Arnold said.
This segment in the middle of his performances on tour consists of Sombr plucking an audience member to join him on the stage and have them call their ex-partner.
For this show, he picked a woman named Alli, and she called her ex-boyfriend Mathew. While on the phone, Sombr joked and asked Mathew why the pair had broken up, to which he answered with, “Too much drinking.”
Swiftly, Sombr countered his accusation with a humorous, “Guys, look, the man is the problem always. Do not get a boyfriend ever unless it’s me.” The audience roared with laughter and swooned.
Still, while many danced and sang along, fully immersed in the experience, some concert-goers felt the artist could have been more attentive to the crowd during heightened moments.
“I wish he responded better and more intently to the person in the crowd who had a health emergency,” said concert-goer Jessica Hunter of Milwaukee.
Due to the sold-out crowd and tightly packed ballroom, it resulted in at least one audience member overheating, which required medical assistance. Security guards had to push through the crowd to assist, while Sombr continued to perform. After the emergency was resolved, the artist did offer a brief acknowledgment, advising fans to stay hydrated and enjoy the rest of the show safely.
With strobing disco lights cloaking the room and the energy in the ballroom at its peak, the crowd wildly jumped to the final song of the night, “12 to 12,” screaming every word. Feeding off the euphoria emanating from the crowd, Sombr leapt over the barricade and joined fans in the pit, dancing right alongside them.
Overall, concert-goers agreed that the high energy and performance of Sombr’s concert was what kept them captivated, finding it unique and original.
“I did not know what to expect when it came to the ‘late night’ aspect of this tour; however, it wasn’t just a guy performing his music. There was a duality to the show. He added an element of acting, and a fun late-night scene between some songs, which really pulled the show together,” added Nogal.