Double Vision in Seattle: A Night with Johnny Manchild and VOLORES

Sunday, 15 June 2025 01:07

Double Vision in Seattle: A Night with Johnny Manchild and VOLORES

Written by ALEKSA

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Johnny Manchild (Blonde Hair), Alex Coleman (Hat), Ethan Neel (Brown Hair) Photographer: Madi Rae Jones

As part of their “Double Vision Tour,” Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards rejoined forces with VOLORES for an unforgettable night of genre-bending rock in Seattle. The performance took place at Funhouse - a staple of Seattle’s music scene - buzzing with anticipation from the moment the doors opened. With a blend of powerhouse vocals, haunting instrumentals, and undeniable stage charisma, both bands left a lasting impression that resonated with every person lucky enough to be there.

Seattle’s vibrant music scene welcomed the two bands with open arms, as VOLORES set the tone with their emotionally charged set, followed by Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards, who took the crowd to another level with their explosive energy and musical precision. This show wasn’t just a stop on the tour — it was a night of connection, passion, and celebration of live music in its most electrifying form.

I didn’t end up at this concert by chance — I was invited by their regular photographer, Brian Kasnyik, with whom we had just done a fantastic fashion photoshoot together and ended up chatting about music...

Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards - Live in Seattle Apr 6, 2025

Honestly, I hadn’t been to a rock concert in what felt like a hundred years, but something about it pulled me in. I really wanted to meet the band and get to know their music — and of course, I went, dragging some friends along for the ride.

As soon as I walked into the Funhouse, where the concert was being held, I was hit with super loud music, and to be totally upfront, I didn’t like the place at all. But I was fired up to hear them specifically. And I wasn’t disappointed at all.

First up on stage was VOLORES. The moment Shelby and Nathen so much as touched their guitar strings, chills ran down my spine. Her stunning voice immediately transformed the space, warming my heart, and so it felt like I had known these songs forever, like they were already my favorites. Shelby did her signature backward bend, her hair almost brushing the floor, all while still playing — it was such a unique and graceful moment. Their drummer absolutely crushed it too, playing his part with real mastery. You could feel how much joy and energy they poured into the performance… It was really cool!

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VOLORES Live in Seattle. April 6, 2025. Photos by ALEXA

I snapped a ton of stunning shots of them — even their photographer appreciated my eye for it!

After a short break, THEY came on stage. From the very first seconds, Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards blew the place up. That tiny stage could barely contain their energy — I swear, if they’d had a bigger one, they would’ve set all of Seattle on fire!

Johnny and Alex kicked things off with such fantastic intensity — the crowd’s cheers and screams were through the roof. Johnny caressed the keys of his synth (piano) so magically and playfully, it was like listening to something wildly beautiful and otherworldly. Alex perfectly complemented the vibe with his killer bass guitar, and the drummer? He was in total ecstasy — you could feel how lit up he was, channeling everything he had into every beat, stoking the fire in the room even higher.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
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Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards Live in Seattle. April 6, 2025. Photos by ALEXA

Soon enough, the whole place was singing, dancing, and shouting lines from their songs! Later, Johnny picked up his electric guitar, and he and Alex played a heavy, gritty piece together — even that part was just bursting with brilliance. And then, what a melodic, even romantic, finale! Johnny’s voice is incredibly well-trained and versatile — he really knows how to use it across different tones.

If you’re craving a true musical metamorphosis, don’t miss a chance to see Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards live. Their performances are packed with creativity, raw energy, and emotional depth — the kind that gives the band and the audience an unforgettable adrenaline rush. It’s the kind of show that reminds you why live music matters. Prepare to be inspired, energized, and completely immersed from the very first note.

ABOUT Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards

Pictured: Johnny Manchild (Blonde Hair), Alex Coleman (Hat), Ethan Neel (Brown Hair)
Photographer: Madi Rae Jones | @madi.rae.jones on Instagram

Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards is an American multi-genre ensemble founded by Johnny Manchild. Since its founding in 2016, the band took the internet by storm, with a unique conundrum of jazz idioms, alt-rock, world music, and funk that prompted even Anthony Fantano himself (known as “The Only Music Critic Who Matters” by the NYT) to ask, “what gives them the right to be this good?". The Bastards have since answered that question, drawing from a dedicated and thriving fanbase that is bound together by a deep love of music, lyricism, and personal expression.

From their hometown of Oklahoma City to the global stage, each release has been a marked discovery not just for the fans, but the Poor Bastards themselves. With 28+ million streams, 4 albums, 300 shows, numerous singles, and a fifth album on the way, Johnny Manchild has carved a path internationally, pulling together a community of rabidly dedicated fans that grows larger every day.

Speaking on “Already Over (Smile, Honey),” the latest single (Out March 7th, 2025), “There’s a strange parasocial element that can come along with being a performer,” says Manchild. “Nowadays people think they know you because they follow you on social media, come to the shows, and think they know what’s going on in your life from what they see but in reality, they have no idea. This song is about putting on a facade, a smile, and gritting your teeth to go along with it, so as not to upset the balance of things.”

Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards Line-Up:

Johnny Manchild - Writer, Producer, Vocals, Keys, Guitar

Alex Coleman - Bass

Ethan Neel - Guitars & Vocals

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About VOLORES

Follow VOLORES

VOLORES’ debut album, AGES, explores universal themes of life, love, and death through dark indie rock, stylish post-punk motifs, and disarmingly frank lyricism. The Colorado-based couple – Flogging Molly bassist Nathen Maxwell and his singer-songwriter wife Shelby – lightheartedly dub their singular sound “mountain goth.”

Organic, haunting, and relentlessly authentic, VOLORES’ broad appeal lies in its raw channeling of the mortal condition, including mental health struggles, that they’ve not only experienced, but experienced together.

Simple, yet effortlessly beautiful, AGES celebrates the shared musical passions that brought the Maxwells together – from Leonard Cohen and Elliot Smith to The Cure and Interpol – through unfiltered expressions that cast deeply personal shadows in plain sight, coated only in intuitive melody and elegant song craft.

Originally opened on Halloween 2003 in the former location of Zak’s 5th Avenue Saloon, the Funhouse operated for nine years, hosting thousands of events and fostering the local underground music scene.

Bands like the Spits, Dead Moon, No Means No, Guttermouth, and Red Fang played sold-out shows in its intimate confines. After closing in 2012, the Funhouse was reborn in 2015 within the lounge of El Corazon, ensuring its legacy continued in Seattle's vibrant music landscape.

EL CORAZON / FUNHOUSE SEATTLE
109 Eastlake Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98109

EL CORAZON / FUNHOUSE SEATTLE

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Published in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal

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ALEKSA

ALEKSA a.k.a. Aleksandra Parshakova is a multifaceted talent - a professional model, stylist, and modeling coach with experience in fashion shows across the United States and Europe.

As a field correspondent, ALEKSA contributes dynamic written features, photography, and video content from live music performances, art exhibitions, fashion shows, and cultural or social events.

She captures the energy, creativity, and behind-the-scenes moments of each experience, offering authentic on-the-ground reporting that brings readers and viewers into the heart of the scene. ALEKSA is a passionate storyteller with a sharp eye and love for cultural exploration.

As a model, ALEKSA is available for national and international fashion shows, editorial photoshoots, fashion films, and commercials. Graduate of Slava Zaitsev’s modeling academy. Passionate about mentoring new talent and creative direction. Sharing modeling insights & behind-the-scenes. Helping others shine with confidence & style.

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