BALLYHOO! @ the Historic Nile theater
There is such a satisfying feeling when life comes around full circle. The Punk Pack had first heard of BALLYHOO! at a Reel Big Fish anniversary show in 2018. Seven years later, we are not only able to see but photograph BALLYHOO! while they stop in Arizona on their 2025 Winter Tour. Traveling with Cydeways and Harbor Boys, this show was already set to be a good night. The only struggle was understanding what is expected for accessibility the historic Nile Theater.
Since being declared as a historic building in 2023. The Nile Theater was opened in 1924 and has transformed over the decade from a movie theater, to clothing store, to nightclub, to a church, and finally returning as an entertainment venue in 2009 as well as adding a vegan coffee shop in 2015. While the Nile Underground is preserved and not accessible, staff are willing to assist wheelchair-bound patrons as much as they are able. For getting into the main theater top-side, the Nile used to only have a shoddy ramp in the alley to enter. Since the coffee shop’s opening, the shop grants direct access not only to the main theater but the accessible seating area of the venue. Since this development, getting to shows at the Nile have been easier for the Pack. Some things to keep in mind if anyone is needing accessibility for an upcoming show at the Nile.
First to take the stage was the Harbor Boys. From Pasadena, MD, this reggae punk band was a great blast of energy to start the night. We must confess that our eyes were caught by their sax, who brought a lot of charm to the set with soulful horn and subtle movements that occasionally broke into skanking. Admittedly there was a liberal use of stage fog that obscured half the back; especially their man on keys. So, while getting to see all of them wasn’t always possible; if the energy of one member of Harbor Boys was a lure into their music, imagine what five members bring to the stage. These boys slap with almost enough bass paired with a sax from the funk gods. It’s nearly impossible to not smile during their performance.
Cydeways unfortunately had an incident with black ice on the interstate coming from Colorado Springs. It is a relief to report that in spite of a police SUV being hit and totaled while responding, nobody was hurt and Cydeways have been able to rejoin the tour in San Diego, CA. So, while the Punk Pack are bummed to have missed you, we’ll be keeping an eye out for Cydeways to come around another time and are grateful that the band is safe.
Adjusting to the schedule, BALLYHOO! filled the time with an extra long set. The first portion of the set was filled with a selection of hits and newer music. Most of which we had been familiar with since first seeing them in 2018. The latter half of the set, for that one guy in the back, was loaded with older music that neither of us had listened to yet. Honestly, this became an excellent display of how the band has grown over the years. Having previously mistaken BALLYHOO! as ska, their groovy bass-forward reggae sound shines with in their older songs. The Pack was even more delighted when spying a familiar confidant of a certain dark lord that returns every century. On sound and vibes alone, BALLYHOO! are consistently energetic fun. The Punk Pack will be eagerly waiting the next time you reach Arizona.
The show ended shortly after Howi Spangler took an attendee's phone to film from the stage before handing it back and finishing out the last song of the night. With that, was the end of the show and Arizona’s experience of BALLYHOO!’s 30th anniversary tour. It’s been wild and a touch surreal for the Pack since first seeing them in 2018. We excitedly await for the next round with BALLYHOO! and will be keeping an eye out for Harbor Boys in the future. Congratulations again on 30 years of BALLYHOO!
