Author: Polyvox Magazine

  • A Purrfect Evening with The Amazing Acrocats in Philadelphia

    A Purrfect Evening with The Amazing Acrocats in Philadelphia

    Words and photos by Jack Foley

    The Rock Cats Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded in 2005 by Chief Executive Human, Samantha Martin, and has helped hundreds of cats find their forever homes. The Amazing Acrocats are an offshoot of the rescue’s broader mission, made up of a troupe of former orphans, strays, and rescues. Their goal is to promote cat welfare and the benefits of clicker training. But don’t expect a lengthy slide deck–you’re in for an evening that will highlight the beauty, intellect, and musical talent of our furry feline friends, all while supporting other local rescues. The Acrocats graced Philadelphia with their purresence from September 2nd to the 5th at Suzanne Roberts Theater in multiple sold-out shows.

    Anyone who knows me is annoyingly aware of my affinity for cats. All my life, I have been surrounded by rescue cats, including my beloved Ethel, and have formed bonds stronger than some with other humans. The Acrocats have been on my bucket list, and seeing their tour come through Philadelphia meant I had no choice but to attend. To be honest, I did not know much about what I should expect going into the event, but my expectations were far exceeded by the incredible programming and education provided by the humans of the tour. Cats are often portrayed negatively in media as stubborn, moody, and impossible to train. I highly encourage anyone who thinks this way to see the Acrocats. Clicker training is a highly effective method that uses positive reinforcement, where the cat sets the pace–as any cat owner knows, you cannot force them to do anything they do not wish to. The training relies on natural instinct and positive reinforcement, namely in the form of a favorite treat. 

    It’s important to note that the Acrocats all come from humble beginnings. They were not served salmon on a silver platter–quite the opposite. Annie “The Wildcard” was rescued from a cornfield in Illinois, destined for the limelight. Crush “The Sourpatch” was discovered in a junkyard car destined for destruction, and has become a world-class skateboarder. Each of these incredible cats has a similar backstory, and it’s enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eye hearing about how these sweet kitties found such a loving, supportive environment.

    Now, as a music-centered publication, we have to include The Rock Cats and their confidants, The Jazz Cats. If you have ever wished you could see a supergroup solely made of cats, look no further. Trumpet bells, guitars, and of course, cowbells, lifted into the air and unleashed fierce mewsic that will leave you wanting more. What’s next for the Rock Cats? We hope a record deal, because, man are these cats cooking. I went into the Amazing Acrocats expecting something along the lines of cats lounging on stage and came out with a much deeper appreciation for the intelligence and talent of these gorgeous creatures.

    To support the Rock Cats Rescue, click here to donate and learn about their mission, the stars behind the show, and more.

  • Good Flying Birds at The Pouch – Philadelphia, PA

    Good Flying Birds at The Pouch – Philadelphia, PA

    Photos and words by Jack Foley

    Good Flying Birds have been on my radar for a long time. The Indiana-based group has been making waves in the underground, enough that I have set out to see one of their shows at least twice now. But, in typical fashion, something always comes up, keeping me glued to a desk or home improvement that can’t be put off any longer. Naturally, after settling in to my new apartment in Philadelphia, having the opportunity to see Good Flying Birds was one I could not miss. Good Flying Birds performed at The Pouch in West Philadelphia, and it was an experience unlike any other I have had in the city thus far.

    The Pouch was the first venue I went to a show at when I first moved to Philadelphia in July of 2026, and it’s becoming a favorite of mine, not only because of its proximity, but the wonderful community surrounding DIY in West Philadelphia. Of course, after getting out of work on a rainy evening, the last thing I wanted to do was go to a show, but I am very glad I did, otherwise I would have let good birds fly past yet another time.

    The night opened with incredible performances by local acts including Ringtone and The Smarthearts, setting the stage for a night of feel-good DIY power pop riffs.

    Good Flying Birds brought incredible energy and borderline-infectious melodies lathered in jingling tambourine speed I did not know was possible. Safe to say that have me hooked as a new listener. Their on-stage chemistry, even in a cramped, dark basement, shines through and makes it hard to not smile and enjoy the atmosphere, even if the humidity is pushing 100%. Be sure to catch them on tour in a city near you, bring your dancing shoes, and prepare for a night of indelible memories and musical prowess.

  • The Renaissance of That Girl; She’s the Best by Troye Sivan

    The Renaissance of That Girl; She’s the Best by Troye Sivan

    Words by Elisabeth Kay

    She’s The Best (via UMG)

    The last time we saw Troye Sivan, he introduced a blonde wig into his wardrobe. This debut of his drag persona was stunningly shocking, and unforgettable as you listen to his dreamy single One of Your Girls. Two years later, the blonde wig is back, accompanied by Nicole Kidman and Sasha Colby in the music video for Sivan’s newest single, She’s the Best.

    The track opens with a reminiscent 2000s beat so fierce it jolts your nervous system. Sivan zooms in on her, the dream-woven femme, in a blunt opening within the first fifteen seconds of the single:

    “She’s walking down the street with her little thin cigarette
    Great smile and a cum stain on her dress”

    Her comfortability in her own skin intimidates most. She’s messy, knotted, chic, and she doesn’t screw around: “DJs from Wednesday to Monday / Don’t ask she’s not taking any fucking requests.” Rather than criticizing her headstrong determination, Sivan wrote this song to applaud this type of woman; he’s not making excuses for her, not defending her behavior, but rather holding it as the standard. To him, she is everything, with the repeating chorus being two awe-filled words: that girl, that girl.

    But she’s more than just the human embodiment of hyper-pop mixed with indie-sleaze. Sivan slows down the second verse to make sure listeners don’t skim over the dreamer that lives inside of this hard shell of a girl: “She always knew she had something special in-inside.” As the beat grows quiet, this lyric comes out almost as a whisper; we finally have a moment alone with her, and she has a secret to tell us. On the inside, that girl has dreams of her own. A spark ignited as a little girl shines in the intimacy of the moment, and now we all relate to that girl a little bit more— it’s not corny to be a dreamer.

    That girl isn’t exclusive to one type of womanhood. With lyrics such as: “Eyeliner in her waterline and some contour on her tits,” Sivan nods to drag queens and performers, as featured in the music video for the single. Though he’s never been one to shy away from inclusivity, trans icon and drag queen Sasha Colby accompanying other drag queens and performers [shows that] that girl is not one size fits all. Real women protect and celebrate other women, in all forms of womanhood

    The track swells as the beat picks up the pace, accompanied by Charli XCX proclaiming: “She’s the heartbeat bumpin’ in my chest / She’s the best.” Charli, who claimed stardom after the high of Brat Summer, was revealed as the voice at the end in later conversations with Rolling Stones following the single’s release. He explains that Charli is important to him, a muse for the song, and she didn’t want to do the speaking for her– this added detail makes that girl all the more authentic, special, and real.

    In a year where the most talked about book follows a trad-wife influencer, it’s undeniable a culture encouraging subservient women holds a tight grip on societal expectations. Maybe I’m just experiencing the phenomena of watching every high school acquaintance flaunt a shiny diamond ring, but my head can’t help but spin when I watch another woman miss out on her bar crawling, sequined, zebra-printed twenties— because of this, She’s the Best is a breath of fresh air.

  • The Last Dinner Party at KEMBA Live! – Columbus, OH

    The Last Dinner Party at KEMBA Live! – Columbus, OH

    Photos and words by Claudia Page

    The Last Dinner Party might be the only show where you’ll find Scooby Doo and a medieval crusader in the same crowd. The Columbus stop on The Last Dinner Party’s “From the Pyre Tour” ignited a spark at KEMBA Live! on June 9 that felt like no other.

    Featuring Abigail Morris, Aurora Nishevci, Emily Roberts, Georgia Davies, and Lizzie Mayland, The Last Dinner Party is known for their blend of whimsical and haunting sound, creative storytelling, and defiant femininity. The band’s aesthetic and passion is refreshing to hear, and even more incredible to see in front of your eyes. For this tour, Max Lilley filled in as the bassist as Davies recovers from a spinal injury.

    Hours before doors opened, a line wrapped around the venue, with many familiar faces from the earlier meet and greet/signing at Used Kids Records. Chainmail, ribbons, corsets, lace — you name it — the fans wore it. An eager crowd patiently waited in the 80 degree heat in their outfits that felt like they were plucked right out of the world that The Last Dinner Party created. Walking down the line, as well at a booth inside the venue, was Ribbons for Provisions. In exchange for a donation, fans would receive a colored ribbon with the band’s name on it. Morris later shouted out the initiative and expressed how amazing it was to see so many people in the audience wearing them. 

    Entering the venue, I was graced with the most elaborate and stunning set design of any show I’ve been to. The show opened with an electrifying set from Automatic, a band I had the pleasure of discovering that night. After being given a warm welcome from the audience, The Last Dinner Party took the stage. Abigail Morris wore a gorgeous vintage-style bobble trim dress and sported a fan-made ribbon with a hand painted close-up of Davies’ eye from @savvys_sketches. This gesture, along with Morris raising a glass to their absent bandmate with the audience made it feel like Davies was there in spirit. 

    Morris gave a unique love to the Columbus crowd, starting the iconic “OH-IO” chant excitedly multiple times. The opening song’s “Agnus Dei” lyrics “‘Twas on the banks, the Ohio” also erupted in cheers from the audience, and then a big smile from Morris. Her angelic and powerful stage presence throughout the night did not disappoint. 

    Keyboardist Aurora Nishevci paused in a beautiful moment during track 8’s “Gjuha” to speak on her pride of being from an immigrant family, as well as stated how immigrants make America special. Following that track, guitarist Lizzie Mayland took control of the stage as the main vocalist with “Rifle.” The song’s ending bass could be felt through my whole body. 

    The Last Dinner Party sang their newest track “Big Dog,” which Morris dedicated to the fan in a Scooby Doo costume. The band expressed their gratitude to the fans, sharing that the audience gives them a gift every night. These words were validated throughout the show as they made it a point to give every side of the stage equal attention. Everyone on stage sat during “Sail Away,” a single beam of light shining on Morris as she intimately serenaded the audience.

    The band ended with their top track “Nothing Matters,” in which Morris asked everyone to put their phones away, jump around, and be fully present. To no surprise, cheering for an encore followed. The encore’s “This is the Killer Speaking” even included “special admission” to Abigail’s choreography lesson, in which she playfully taught and asked the audience to dance along to the song’s chorus with her. The band ended the encore with an “Agnus Dei” reprise thanking every crew member of the tour down to the bus driver and sign language interpreter.

    Catch The Last Dinner Party as they continue their magical tour here.

  • Polyvox’s Guide to Nelsonville Music Festival 2026

    Polyvox’s Guide to Nelsonville Music Festival 2026

    Words by Jack Foley

    (NMF)

    If there’s any festival to gatekeep, it’s Nelsonville Music Festival.

    Each year, Nelsonville Music Festival returns to the rolling hills of southeast Ohio for a weekend of incredible music, art, and community. It’s truly one of the most incredible atmospheres in the music industry, and we are thrilled to be covering NMF 2026. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the festival, with arguably one of its best lineups yet. As the much-anticipated weekend approaches, we hope to provide you with a guide to all things NMF and the artists you won’t want to miss.

    THURSDAY

    Thursday will open with morning showers, giving way to a perfect afternoon at Snow Fork. You certainly will not want to miss Porch Stage headliners, Geese and Wednesday. If you want to get those first-day jitters out, Geese is the perfect band to completely lose it to. Scream, shout, whatever that guy from Tears for Fears said–this is the time and place. Wednesday will close the stage out with their incredible countrygaze power riffs and poignant storytelling caked in fuzz and lap steel guitar. While you’re at it, be sure to check out local performers such as Columbus’ own Big Fat Head for a late-night art punk riot at the Mudville Stage.

    FRIDAY

    Friday keeps things moving along, featuring artists from a plethora of backgrounds and genres. We recommend kicking things off with Athens natives, Space Kid, and rotating between the staggered sets at Howard’s Stage, Porch Stage, and Creekside Stage, ending the evening with Bertha: Grateful Drag to cap off a day of genre-bending fanfare.

    SATURDAY

    Must-see artists include Fruit Bats, Mikaela Davis, Cat Clyde, Marcus King Band, and Wine Lips. We cannot think of a better lineup to cap things off for the twentieth anniversary of Ohio’s greatest festival.

    VENDORS AND FOOD

    NMF strives to bring in a diverse array of local artists, restaurants, and small businesses. If you are looking for no-name fair food with no soul, this is not the function for you. There is no shortage of options for vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores alike–NMF features a lineup of any cuisine you could think of. Personally, I look forward to checking out Heady Beans, Portia’s Cafe, Freewheelin Pizzeria, and just about everything my wallet can handle. Far too many festivals prioritize low-quality slop, and thankfully, NMF is not one of them. There will be several artisan vendors as well, and as always, be sure to support local artists. After all, we would be nothing without our Ohio art community.

    Regardless of what you listen to, what your vibe is, or your palate, NMF offers some of the finest experiences nestled in the Appalachian foothills. We cannot wait to provide Polyvox readers with day-by-day coverage and highlights from NMF 2026.

  • Dance Gavin Dance at Old National Centre – Indianapolis, IN

    Dance Gavin Dance at Old National Centre – Indianapolis, IN

    Photos by Ava Reynolds

  • DEVO at Murat Theatre – Indianapolis, IN

    DEVO at Murat Theatre – Indianapolis, IN

    Photos by Ava Reynolds

  • The Asheley Catacombs and feeble little horse’s Newest Album

    The Asheley Catacombs and feeble little horse’s Newest Album

    Words by Ruby Kolik

    Bitknot (via BandCamp)

    We are descending into pixels on the internet, just in time for feeble little horse’s return with a surprise new full-length studio album, bitknot, with Saddle Creek Records.

    After a lengthy wait between the release of their 2023 album Girl with Fish and now, feeble little horse is back for more–and this time they’re not so feeble. In three years, the band has released their single “This is Real” and gone on a national tour for Girl with Fish. With this new release marking their third full album, the Pittsburgh-born band is more confident than ever to expand their horizons beyond the bounds of the US, and they have just announced that they will tour both in the US and internationally behind the album, starting July 11th through the end of the year.

    bitknot is a true showcase of the band’s alternative, electronic aesthetic. Written, arranged, produced, and recorded by Sebastian Kinsler, Lydia Slocum, and Jake Kelley across their respective homes in Pittsburgh, the album focuses its attention on themes of identity, overconsumption, and returns to a retro version of what our computers once were, grounding itself in the zeros and ones.

    “The album art is based on the coincidental core memory matrix,” the band writes in their Instagram post announcing both the album and tour, “which was used in old computers to store memory/access information using 0s and 1s. Each core, or ‘bit,’ is accessed through the grid of wires, like a knot that stores secret details and memories.” The wall of noise that permutates the space in your ears serves as a line between the world of real and that of the technological. Lydia whispers in your ears before breaking out into screams, as the echoed electric guitar supports, almost smothers, her vocals. They become one.

    In bitknot, they’ve returned to the studio with similar glitchcore and pop sounds from before. The album, at a short 25 minutes, sounds more summer pop than releases before, utilizing similar synth sounds heard in artists like Frost Children and ear. The opening is as epic as ever, with amp feedback and heavy drums, descending quickly into a conversation, an up-beat blend of predictable snare hits, then deeper once again to the heavier metal sounds. Lydia’s voice is relied on in songs like “Paris” and “Rewind” as it has been in the past, but in a song like “Cradle”, we hear the voices of other band members which brings a fullness to the songs presence. “DMT” is arguably the most metal song on the track list, including record scratches, electric guitar riffs, and the everpresent screams of their lead singer. “Upside Down” is held steady with a heavy bass drum line and distorted vocal tones that eventually devolve in the end, the way many of their songs tend to do, sounding intentionally rough around the edges. The album weaves between genres and sounds, opening the conversation of deep identity exploration and the multifaceted experience of a young person’s personal exploration.

    It’s no secret that, in a technologically driven world, the visual is just as important as the audio. feeble little horse’s online presence is nothing short of enchanting and maintains the aestheticism that many indie artists strive for. In the past six months, The Asheley Catacombs has seen an increased volume of posts. The Tumblr page, run by lead singer Lydia Slocum, started as a blog of sorts detailing her post-grad life, but is now generally a creative and artistic collective visualized as a website that would be seen on Windows 98. The page is dedicated to cutting out “platforms that combine art and commercials”. The band has built their brand not around rejecting modernity, but leaning into it, and returning audiences to a form of media consumption that is centered around the individual rather than larger corporations. The lack of information about the new album’s release by the band, paired with their distinct yet anonymous whimsical imagery ties feeble little horse’s aesthetic together with a loose, string of cut up metal.

  • BALACLAVA at Cafe Bourbon Street – Columbus, OH

    BALACLAVA at Cafe Bourbon Street – Columbus, OH

  • Wednesday at The King of Clubs – Columbus, OH

    Wednesday at The King of Clubs – Columbus, OH