As I walked into The Shelter, a downtown Detroit concert venue where rapper Eminem got his start, I was shocked to find only about 40 other people in attendance. An hour after the doors opened, the venue was practically empty. Despite the low turnout, The Unlikely Candidates, The Vegabonds, and After the Tide played a show worthy of a sold out stadium.

Detroit-based band After the Tide opened the concert with a bang. Their Paramore-inspired sound had everyone up and moving within minutes. Lead singer Angela Arce’s energy was infectious and made it impossible not to smile and nod along with the catchy verses.

Southern rock band The Vegabonds followed After the Tide and changed the pace of the concert. Smooth, bluesy chords meshed perfectly with their southern twang. The Vegabonds’ fresh sound will undoubtedly make waves in the music industry in years to come.

Headlining the concert was The Unlikely Candidates, an indie rock band hailing from Texas. The Unlikely Candidates set showed range in their music with everything from upbeat folk tunes to slow rock ballads. The band closed with their most popular song, “Follow My Feet”. Their songs were not only catchy, but the lyrics were thought provoking and sent an uplifting message.

The lack of attendance at the concert was a loss for anyone who didn’t go, as all three bands are fresh, unique, and undoubtedly talented.