Article and Photos by: Kimmi Taylor

Baltimore, MD – The atmosphere at the Nevermore Hall in Baltimore, Maryland, was buzzing with excitement as fans waited in anticipation for one hell of a show: Cartel and their Chroma 20 Year Anniversary Tour. While the Baltimore Soundstage was the original venue, it had to be moved across the street to Nevermore Hall to accommodate the overwhelming demand for tickets.

Opening the night was Landon Conrath, the 26-year-old Minnesota native who immediately captivated the crowd with his soulful performance of “lowercase.” He followed up with the infectious energy of “Cool Guy” and the introspective hit, “Science Fiction,” creating a perfect balance of upbeat rhythms and reflective melodies. His poetic lyricism and haunting ballads held the audience spellbound. Though he may have been the least recognized name on the lineup, Conrath quickly won over the crowd, leaving with a slew of new fans in tow.

LA indie rocker HUNNY was next up to the stage. As the set unfolded, lead singer Jason and his backup band demonstrated their impressive versatility, seamlessly shifting between high-energy anthems like “Catalina” and groovy, rhythm-driven jams such as “Saturday Night” and “89cc.” Fans even got to enjoy an unreleased track called “Sidewaze.” Each track brought a fresh burst of energy, keeping the crowd hooked with their dynamic range and infectious sound. His energy throughout the evening was truly contagious. His constant smile and animated movements lit up the stage, while the soulful passion he infused into every song kept the crowd locked in, feeding off his every move.

The grand finale of the night featured none other than the mesmerizing Cartel. This is the band’s first tour in twenty years, but they still move like seasoned veterans. Celebrating twenty years since the release of their album, Chroma, fans were treated to a full, nostalgic ride through the entire album’s twelve-song track list, a celebration of an era that shaped their sound and their legacy. Cartel delivered a powerful twenty-song setlist that spanned just over two hours and thirty minutes, seamlessly blending the Chroma album with a few throwback tracks for their longtime fans. The mix of familiar favorites and nostalgic gems had the crowd fully immersed in the experience. Cartel came back to the stage for a thrilling encore set where they featured arguably two of their biggest songs, “Deep South,” and “The Perfect Mistake.” During the show, they had a QR code where fans could vote for which song they would play during the encore. Tonight, fans got to hear, “This Is Who We Are,” and “I Will Hide Myself Away,” both of which were tied. The crowd leaves happy they caught this set but also anticipating their next opportunity to see them, hoping it is not as long of a wait as it has been.

Cartel is a band that knows how to captivate, engage, and energize a crowd. If you haven’t seen them live, it’s a concert experience you don’t want to miss. Be sure to check out their official website for the latest tour dates and news, and mark your calendar for the next chance to relive the magic.