By Bryan Doan, Nov. 12, 2024
Midwest emo and pop-punk band Origami Angel delivered an emo-tional performance at the Glass House Pomona Nov. 1-2, one of the stops on their North American tour with their recent album release, “Feeling Not Found.”
The band captivated fans with a dynamic setlist, playing tracks from their new album alongside fan favorites. Origami Angel proved that even as a two-piece band, they can create a sound that is comparable to a full rock ensemble.
One of the main highlights of the night was when they performed “Skeleton Key.” Lead singer and guitarist Ryland Heagy noted they don’t often play the song at concerts, but it is always requested by fans. As the song played, the crowd responded with a roar, and as the band played, fans sang and danced along.
As the anticipation settled from the openers, a small spotlight cast onto the duo, Origami Angel opened their set with a slow, yet tender song “Lost Signal,” the first song from their latest album. This gentle introduction soon burst into the metallic riffs of “Dirty Mirror Selfie,” which had the audience pumped.
To keep up with the momentum, the band smoothly transitioned into their older fan favorites such as, “24 Hr Drive Thru” and “Self-Destruct,” mixing new tracks into the setlist like “Underneath My Skin” and “Wretched Trajectory.” Throughout their performances, the crowd was all in, with many fans forming impromptu mosh pits. Some even crowd-surfed to the front.
To wrap up the night, Heagy took a moment to thank the audience, expressing genuine gratitude for everyone who made it out, despite the challenges going on all around the world. Skipping the formality of an encore, he offered to dive straight into the final songs, which the crowd cheered for.
The duo then launched into their loudest and heaviest tracks “The Title Track” and “HM 07 Waterfall,” joined by an Arm’s Length guitarist to bring even more intensity to the album’s title track, “Feeling Not Found.”
The Glass House’s small, yet intimate setup allowed for an up-close experience, immersing fans in every beat and lyric. It amplified the performance’s intensity, and the vibrant lighting heightened the emo-punk atmosphere, blending perfectly with the band’s aesthetic and sound.
The trio of impressive emo-adjacent bands that warmed up the crowd with a range of styles also made the night memorable. Forests, visiting all the way from Singapore and known for their math-rock fusion, engaged the audience with high energy and a passionate performance that set the tone for the evening. Macseal delivered a mellow but captivating indie-rock performance that had the audience vibe out to their songs, only for Arm’s Length to crank the excitement back up with their pop-punk sound, bringing fans to their feet in anticipation of the main act.
With their 22-stop North American tour reaching its halfway point, Origami Angel left fans with a sense of fulfillment and a communal feeling that they’d finally found something.
Featured images courtesy of Bryan Doan