Spin The Wheel Tour
DIAMANTE, Until I Wake, Mothica, I See Stars
From Proposals to “Moth Pits”, Mothica Raises the Roof at Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia
Fans of electronic metalcore icons I See Stars have waited 7 long years for a new release from the band. In September 2025, however, the band’s hiatus had officially come to a close with the release of The Wheel, their first full-length album since 2018’s Treehouse (Acoustic). To celebrate this new era, the band embarked on the “Spin the Wheel” Tour starting on February 26 in Milwaukee, WI, and will continue hitting major cities across the US until April. On March 2, I See Stars stopped at Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia. As Philly fans gathered at the long-awaited I See Stars headliner show, the band, as well as support acts Diamante, Until I Wake, and Mothica, ensured an unforgettable night full of dancing, headbanging, and moshing.
The first opener to take the stage was pop-rock singer Diamante. Starting with one of her most recent singles, the uplifting anthem “All for the Glory”, she immediately hooked the crowd with her energy and 1980s-inspired aesthetic. Philadelphia fans were in for a unique experience with this particular set: due to technical difficulties, Diamante performed nearly every song acoustic. Some songs, such as “Ghost Myself”, have never been performed acoustic before according to Diamante, so she and her band improvised on the spot. Diamante captivated the audience with her dynamic vocals alone. By the last song, everything was up and running again as she performed her new, then-unreleased song “Bite of the Beast”, ending the set with a bang. Although the set might not have gone as planned, it proved Diamante’s indisputable talent, effortlessly putting on an amazing show despite the circumstances.
The second opener was Until I Wake, a Buffalo, NY-based upcoming metalcore band. The band combines catchy hooks and melodic choruses with heavy riffs and breakdowns to create a unique musical experience. Vocalist Cody Jamison effortlessly switches from harmonious vocals to deep screams, consistently keeping the audience engaged. With a lyrical focus on mental health, many people will be able to relate to their songs and easily connect with their music. During the third song, “Cold”, the venue lit up as the crowd waved their phone flashlights to the emotional track, and constant mosh pits ensued throughout the set, with even a circle pit forming once. The band closed with their fans-favorite track “Inside My Head”, the crowd formed a wall of death, giving an explosive end to the set.
The final opener was alt-pop singer Mothica. As the lights dimmed, the room filled with cheers as the interlude “I” from her 2022 album Nocturnal played. Shortly after, Mothica approached her rose-covered mic stand, holding two glowing orbs in her hands, already commanding the room with her distinctive presence. She performed “The Void”, the intro of her 2024 album Kissing Death, which then led into the high-energy, dark-pop track “Toxins”. Right away, the crowd was jumping and singing along, fully engaged in Mothica’s performance. Mothica’s creative blending of pop with rock and alternative elements cannot be categorized by one specific genre, placing her in a league of her own. Combine that with her heartfelt lyrics and humorous, down-to-earth personality, it is no wonder why Mothica has been one of the fastest growing alternative artists in the scene.
Early in the set, Mothica performed her cover of Bring Me the Horizon’s “Can You Feel My Heart”, a slower, more melodic rendition of the iconic metal hit. And of course, in a room full of metal fans, everyone in the crowd knew every lyric. To make the performance even more special, Mothica jumped up to the barricade to sing along with the fans. As the set continued, she performed a few of her newer tracks, such as “WEAPON” and “Evergreen Misery”, two rock-influenced songs that indicate the possibility of a heavier direction in her upcoming releases. She also performed one of the most emotional tracks in her discography, “Forever Fifteen”. Before the song, she told the crowd about her struggles with depression and how this song reminds her of how far she has come in overcoming it, and how she hopes her story can inspire others to keep going as well.
Towards the end of the set, Mothica introduced the crowd to a couple who has been listening to her for 5 years. As the couple walked on stage, Mothica asked how long they have been together, to which they replied 3 years. Mothica joked, “So why aren’t you engaged yet?” As soon as she said that, the fan got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend as the crowd cheered. When the set continued, Mothica introduced a new song “Playing God”, which caused a “moth pit” to ensue. She closed with her 2022 track “Sensitive”, and the crowd kept dancing and moshing until the very last note. With an amazing performance and even a surprise proposal between fans, Mothica’s return to Philly after 3 years was undoubtedly a memorable one.
Photography by Kara Maddox
