I don’t know much, but the best way to spend a Saturday night is at a live show. That’s the honest truth. And this show was one I was excited for, especifically for the opener Missio. I’ve seen them once before, and absolutely became obsessed with them a few years ago. Playing all my favorites, including “Everybody Gets High,” I bounced around the photo pit, singing along to every song while taking photos and then dancing through the rest of their set. With a kind of techno rock feel, they recently got the audience hyped up and put in a trance, ready to go for the other two bands of the night, Slothrust and of course, the main headliner Badflower, at The Fillmore Silver Spring. 

While Slothrust was a little slower for my tastes, they sounded great, and they are definitely a band I could see myself listening to when I wanted something a little more chill, as the vocals mostly kept the trance-like theme going throughout the night with “Cranium” and other songs that made everyone sway around and dance to the music on Sept. 14. 

Finally, the headliner Badflower came out and launched into their set with one of their most well known songs,  “Teacher Has a Gun.” The lights are dim and flooding the stage with a green glow and yellow stage lights moving through the smoke. For the second song, “Don’t Hate Me” the stage lighting has turned purple and red and the emo resurgence was fully alive. They had everyone in the audience dancing, singing, and shouting along to the songs like there was no tomorrow. With a set list perfectly curated to keep everyone engaged and going strong through the night, I was thrumming with excitement the entire night, as was the rest of the audience. 

Watch the official music video for “Teacher Has a Gun” by Badflower on YouTube:

As my little emo heart was fulfilled through the night, I found myself wanting more after every song. Hopefully, they come back this way soon, as I would love to catch them again. And I urge anyone reading to do the same. It’s a night you won’t want to miss. 

See more photos below! All photos from Badflower’s headlining show at The Fillmore Silver Spring on Sept. 14, 2024, by Carol Lowe.