Athera & Norfair Take Over New York – Stone Circle Theatre 3/12/26 Show Overview
Show Flyer
I truly love going to shows around Queens and Brooklyn without knowing a single band beforehand. Especially hardcore ones, because there’s no expectation of what I'll find, and I often get surprised by intriguing experiments within the genre. So when I saw some photographers and musicians I know reposting a flyer for a show hosted by Persephone Rises DIY in Queens, featuring out-of-state bands Athera and Norfair, it caught my interest.
This one was again at the Stone Circle Theatre, one of my favorite venues in Queens. It’s comfortable, homey, and welcoming, no matter what show you’re seeing there. I trekked there through the rain and snow, tired as hell from work but excited to hear what I was going to experience that night. The bands were mostly ones I’d never heard of before, including Athera, NIAMH, and Norfair. However, I had heard of Glen Vine (f.k.a. Teen Dating Violence) and Silverdollar, two bands fairly active in the NYC emo and hardcore scenes, so I was finally happy to see what they were all about.
Photo of Silverdollar by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
I walked into the large church a few minutes late. There was already a good number of people present, and I recognized some familiar faces in the crowd, which is always nice to see. Silverdollar, a conscious post-hardcore band from NYC, had already begun their set. I was surprised to see a guitarist/vocalist, a drummer/vocalist (which is always so impressive to me), a bassist, and a KEYBOARDIST/TRUMPET PLAYER??? It’s always interesting to see post-hardcore bands be so inventive with instruments you wouldn’t normally associate with the genre. Not that this hasn’t been done before, but personally, I’ve never seen a trumpet used specifically for a more screamo/hardcore sound. The vocalists were great too, as they did a call-and-response with high- and low-pitched vocals. The high-pitched vocals were so high that sometimes I couldn’t tell if it was the lead singer singing or the synth, which was interesting. The last song was the one that got everyone into the pit and set the right energy for the night. I absolutely loved watching them and am excited to explore their discography and hopefully see them again soon!
Photo of Silverdollar by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
Photo of Norfair by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
Next up was touring Michigan band Norfair. I could tell this was a crowd favorite as I saw many audience members wearing their merch, and for good reason. Their sound was more melodic and included slower elements, but the crowd still moshed throughout the set. There were also two vocalists using a call-and-response melodic style; however, the contrast between grittier, almost growl-like screams and cleaner ones created a textured sound. It was a beautifully chaotic sound from a band that truly emitted so much emotion. I’m excited to explore their discography as well, and I hope they come back to New York soon!
Photo of Norfair by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
Photo of Athera by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
Athera was my favorite set of the night. This was their first stop on tour, and they definitely brought energy all the way from their hometown in Richmond, Virginia. Their sound was so gnarly; I love co-ed vocals so much. Angelic singing from Kimmy and raw, emotional screaming from Jordan echoed the mid-2000s post-harcore/metalcore/emo music popular within the scene. The crowd was also wild during this set, as the band interacted with audience members and got everyone hyped! Even though some people may have gotten too hyped and bumped into one of the speakers, causing it to almost fall down and mic issues for a second, but nonetheless, Athera still carried on through their set. They ended their portion of the show by asking the audience which song they wanted to hear and inviting them to sing along. It was definitely a super fun set, and I am dying to see them again!
Photo of Athera by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
Photo of Niamh by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
Niamh was my second favorite set of the night. They delivered a super strong performance. The sound was heavier hardcore/metal, with great breakdowns. They motivated the most energetic mosh pit of the evening, allowing everyone to keep moving nonstop after going so hard for Athera. I think the build-ups to the breakdowns are what really excited people. Both vocalists had some gnarly, deep, gravelly vocals that I was really loving. There was great chemistry among the band members, and you could tell they were all having fun while playing, which I love to see. I couldn’t believe they didn’t have any recorded music available online. I really wanted to listen to more of their music, but I guess I’ll have to wait to see them again!
Photo of Niamh by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
Photo of Glen Vine by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
New Jersey screamo favorites, Glen Vine, wrapped up the night with intense, heartfelt passion. Guitars sparkled, but the vocals were incredibly powerful and raw. The lead singer’s performance was full of unrefined fervor. They truly felt every emotion in the sound and lyrics, which is always inspiring to witness. It made me realize why so many fans have loved their shows over the past year in the scene. They gathered the crowd near the stage, and the whole audience stayed captivated throughout the set—no one took their eyes off the stage as the lead singer moved around passionately. They even invited some audience members to sing along on certain songs. The lead singer also gave a shoutout to the drummer for filling in that night, showing much appreciation for him, as he apparently stepped in over the summer for shows. This moment perfectly reflects the tight-knit community that has been growing for years in the NYHC and related scenes.
Photo of Glen Vine by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
This show made me so grateful to have grown up in New York, oddly enough. I love that I can find a random show to attend on any night and hear some of the best music I’ve ever experienced. I meet new people and make connections through music. It’s so rewarding. That’s why I always say, MAKE EFFORT TO GO TO YOUR LOCAL SHOWS! You never know what you might discover there.
I know this was uploaded almost a month after it happened, SORRY! I’ll be writing more about shows I go to again, I just got very busy with life stuff and haven't been to a show since this one… but I’m getting back into it though! See you all very soon :)
Crowd Photo by Tal Pinto @ikilledtwobirdswith22stones
