On July 31, 2025, the elusive Grey Lab opened its doors at 7:00 PM for an evening of fresh faces and roaring guitars. Between whispered directions and curious passersby, a devoted crowd gathered to catch four up-and-coming local acts—each bringing its own brand of rock energy to a space known only to those in the know.
BLUE_SPRING (@blue_spring_live)
Kicking off around 8:00 PM, BLUE_SPRING—a five-piece rock outfit—made what appears to be its very first live appearance. Despite vocals that sat just shy of the mix, the band’s raw enthusiasm and tight interplay ensured their set hit hard. From thunderous drum fills to winding guitar lines, they proved they’ve got the chops to grow into a must-see act.
MAGNETIQ (@magnetiqofficial)
Next up was MAGNETIQ, a five-member alt-rock “boy band” whose swoon-worthy melodies sent the crowd into a collective daydream. Frontman Aidan Evans delivered a theatrical performance, even hurling his red leather jacket into the audience mid-song. Although still early in their career, they already command a dedicated fanbase eager for every dramatic flourish.
Sultry! (@sultryisaband)
Sultry! followed—another quintet on just their second show (first at Koerner’s Pub). Blurring the line between covers and originals, they tore through Smashing Pumpkins classics before dropping their own moody, riff-driven tracks. Their stage chemistry was impossible to ignore—no bias here, even though one of the guitarists is an old high-school friend.
OFF-SCREEN DEATH (@offscreendeathband)
Closing the night was OFF-SCREEN DEATH, a tight three-piece whose online presence dates back to December 2024. Their set was ambitious and unmistakably fun, melding complex rhythms with shouted choruses. Though the crowd thinned as the clock edged past 10:00 PM, the die-hards at the front stayed locked in, heads banging until the final chord.