A Tuesday night show in Harrisburg feels a little more personal, like the crowd had to make a decision to be there. No coasting in on a weekend vibe, no casual “why not” energy. You show up because you want it. That was the mood walking into the Capital City Music Hall for a recent headlining performance by Pop Evil.
It’s a smaller room, tighter than some of the bigger stops on this kind of tour, and that worked in everyone’s favor. No bad sight lines, no real distance between band and crowd. You don’t just watch a show here, you get pulled into it whether you planned to or not.
First band up on April 7 was Kamenar, who walked out with a kind of quiet confidence that didn’t stay quiet for long. The band is twin brothers, Sean and John Kamenar and they built their set piece by piece, leaning into a modern hard rock sound that had just enough bite to cut through the early chatter. Sean’s guitar carried a polished crunch and John’s drumming was spirited and theatrical, but there was something restless underneath it, like they were trying to push past their own edges.
Sean’s vocals came through clean, maybe a little too clean at first, but by the second or third song, there was more grit, more presence. There’s always a challenge for the first band of the night: you’re playing to people who are still finding their spot, still deciding how much attention to give. Kamenar pushed through that barrier pretty quickly.
Their set had a slightly darker edge, not overly polished, which worked in their favor.
They didn’t overstay their welcome either, which helped. A tight set, no wasted motion, just enough to make an impression and leave people curious. That’s a win for an opener in a room like this.
Watch the official music video for Kamenar’s cover of “Animal” by Badflower on YouTube:
Then Canadian band Sierra Pilot took the stage and shifted the energy almost immediately. Sierra Pilot felt a little more volatile, there was a spark there, something unpredictable. The kind of band that might push the tempo just a hair too fast because it feels right in the moment. Their sound leaned heavier, more aggressive, with a rhythm section that hit harder and guitars that carried a darker edge.
Frontman Taylor Leith worked the stage like he was trying to win over every single person in the room individually, pointing, pacing, locking eyes. The rest of the band consisted of Wes Bartram on drums, David Goodman on bass, Brenden Rodgers on lead guitar, and Gabe Guerra on rhythm guitar. By the midpoint of their set, the floor had filled in noticeably. The back of the room crept forward. That’s always the tell, because people don’t move closer unless something’s working. The crowd fed off that energy.
The turnover between bands felt quick, almost impatient, like the night was already running ahead of itself. Lights dimmed, the usual pre-show playlist cut out mid-thought, and that familiar ripple ran through the crowd. Not a roar yet. Just anticipation. When Pop Evil hit the stage, they opened with a punch, the guitars thick, drums snapping into place, and Leigh Kakaty’s voice riding right over the top with that mix of clarity and edge he’s known for.
They opened hard, right out of the gate, “Trenches” came in loud and sharp, guitars dialing in that thick, modern tone that sits somewhere between radio-ready polish and live-wire punch. The drums were heavy, not overbearing, just enough to hit you in the chest and remind you where you were.
Watch the official music video for “Trenches” by Pop Evil on YouTube:
That is where Pop Evil thrives live. They don’t sit still, and they don’t let the audience sit still either.
The early stretch of the set moved fast. Songs stacked on top of each other, transitions tight, barely a second to catch your breath. It’s a pacing choice that can either pull people in or wear them out. Here, it pulled them in. The band felt locked in, tempo steady, dynamics controlled, everything clicking in a way that made it look easier than it probably is.
“Deal with the Devil” landed early and set the tone, heavy, direct, no frills. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t ask for a response so much as it demands one. And it got it. Fists up, voices loud, the whole room locked in.
Leigh worked the stage with that familiar intensity—part control, part instinct. He knows when to let the band carry a moment and when to step forward and pull focus. There’s a rhythm to his movement, almost like he’s conducting without making it obvious.
The band behind Leigh stayed tight all night. Guitars had weight without turning muddy, solos landed where they needed to without stretching too far. The rhythm section kept everything grounded, steady without feeling rigid. It’s a balance that’s harder than it looks, and they made it look easy. There were a few extended moments, a little extra space between songs, some back-and-forth that felt less rehearsed and more in-the-moment. Then the band ramped it back up.“Skeletons” hit like a release. Big chorus, hands up, voices blending into one rough, imperfect wave. The kind of singalong where it doesn’t matter if you’re on key or even fully know the words, you just join in.
Watch the official music video for Skeletons by Pop Evil on YouTube:
“Monster You Made” slowed things down just enough to change the temperature in the room. Not a full cool down, but a shift. People sang along in that slightly off-key, fully committed way that only happens when a song means something beyond the hook. You could see it on their faces that this wasn’t just another track in the set list. It was a moment.
And that’s really where the night lived; not in any one song, not in any single standout moment, but in that constant push and pull between band and crowd. Energy going out, energy coming back, louder each time.
The venue itself played its part. Capital City Music Hall doesn’t hide anything. It’s built for connection and the room held it all together. Sound stayed clear, nothing got lost in the mix, and that closeness, the thing that makes smaller venues feel different, never faded. If anything, it got stronger as the set went on. Like everyone in the room had found the same rhythm and decided to stay there a while longer.
Setlist
1. Trenches
2. Deathwalk
3. What Remains
4. Deal With the Devil
5. Let Chaos Reign
6. Criminal
7. Paranoid (Crash & Burn)
8. Wishful Thinking
9. Skeletons
10. Monster You Made
11. Torn to Pieces
12. Eye of the Storm
13. Work
14. Waking Lions
15. Breathe Again
Encore 16. 100 in a 55
Here are some photos of Pop Evil performing live at Capital City Music Hall on April 7, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography.
Here are some photos of Sierra Pilot opening Pop Evil at Capital City Music Hall on April 7, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography.
Here are some photos of Kamenar opening Pop Evil at Capital City Music Hall on April 7, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography.
