Photos by Martina Mondini
The Summer School Tour, a traveling event focused on artist development, community, ticket affordability and social impact rolled through House of Blues Houston on July 30. They delivered a night packed with energy, emotion and a real sense of community.
Founded by Eric Tobin of Hopeless Records, Michael Kaminsky of KMGMT and Kevin Lyman of the Warped Tour, the traveling festival brings together seven rising alt-rock acts, with rotating set times nightly.
In Houston, the no-frills, fan-first experience felt like a throwback in the best way.
Social media personality turned singer Huddy kicked things off with a punchy, pop-punk set full of energy.
The real highlight came later, when he returned during alternative rock band Beauty School Dropout’s set for a wild, high-energy collaboration. The whole room screamed.
Alternative pop trio Arrows in Action followed with a polished, catchy performance, energizing the crowd early.
Their set hit all the right alternative pop notes and felt like a band fully in its stride. They performed singles from their highly anticipated second album “I Think I’ve Been Here Before.”
Beauty School Dropout embraced the chaos in the most entertaining ways.
Their set was loud, weird and impossible to look away from. With Huddy added into the mix, their set became one of the most unforgettable moments of the night.
The four-piece metalcore band If Not For Me filled the room with a crushing intensity, commanding the stage from the first song.
They are known as a fan favorite in the up-and-coming metalcore scene. With aggressive breakdowns and raw vocals, their set added a welcome shift in tone that still fit seamlessly with the rest of the night.
Pop-punk singer-songwriter Charlotte Sands commanded the stage.
Her vocals were powerful, and her connection with the crowd was undeniable. Sands debuted a song titled “Neck Deep,” which quickly turned into a full-on singalong before the second chorus.
Rain City Drive, the final band, delivered one of the most refined sets of the night, with massive vocals.
Their alternative rock-and-roll sound with hints of pop added diversity to the night. Their energy was sharp and focused, and the crowd was fully engaged.
They ended their set with their hit song “Medicate Me” which proved to be a crowd favorite.
Closing out the night, Taylor Acorn, the singer-songwriter who blends pop-punk and pop-rock, brought an emotional punch with stripped-down vulnerability and strong vocals.
Songs such as “Certified Depressant” hit especially hard. She left the stage to a full room swaying and singing along.
Summer School isn’t just a tour. It’s a reminder of what live music can be when it’s made for the fans: great artists, good energy and a reason to show up early and stay late.
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