A vibrant scene was set at Arts at the Armory in Somerville on Sunday April 13 as Your Arms Are My Cocoon headlined a night that fullfilled on their promise of an intense mix of sounds and emotions, accompanied by the raw energy of opening acts including At First At First and her lovebeheadsdaisies.
The atmosphere was passionate and exciting. The lineup showcased a unique blend of punk, screamo, Midwest influences and metal that resonated deeply with the audience. Each band brought their style, emotion, and sound ensuring that the night was a memorable experience for all who attended.
Arts at the Armory is a small venue that you wouldn’t expect because it looked like a church. Doors opened at 6 pm and I waited until 6:30 to be let in. The concert floor was small with the stage very close to the floor. There was tons of merchandise from each band and I picked this Goat hat from Godf**k. They had a bar with free water and cups people could go up to. The bathrooms were placed in the same area with people easily to go to not miss the bands.
The people at the concert were all kinds of alternative punk, emo, goth, and everything in between. Everyone had their own style, but no one cared what you looked like. It was welcoming. People gave each other space when needed, then ended up packed together again, singing and moshing side by side.
What made it special was how connected everyone felt. We were all there because these bands meant something to us. You could feel it in the way people screamed the lyrics, helped each other up, or just smiled at strangers. It felt like we all just got each other, even if we’d never met before.
The first band to hit the stage was Godf**k. The main singer was a woman with glasses and long ginger hair and the rest of the band members were men. Godf**k has an electric screamo element to their music. The lead singer didn’t just perform, she embodied every note. Her voice cut through the noise like a blade, screaming, singing. The drummer had a solo in one of their songs, and every strike of his sticks was telling us how he felt, pulling the crowd into something aching.
The next band up was At First At First, led by a woman with bangs and long curly hair whose screams hit like a shockwave. From the moment she stepped on stage, it was clear she needed to be heard. Every song felt like a release, each note packed with raw emotion and urgency. Her energy was magnetic, pulling people into the chaos. The crowd didn’t hold back. Mosh pits broke out almost instantly and bodies crashed together in rhythm with the music. Her presence was intense, impossible to ignore.
Herlovebeheadsdaisies was the last opening band before My Arms Are My Cocoon, and they lit the place up. A full group of guys with the lead singer with short brown hair diving straight into the crowd to mosh with everyone. Their solos were insane and full of emotion. The band’s energy was wild and totally in sync with the crowd. People were head-banging hard, fully locked into the music.
Your Arms Are My Cocoon closed out the night, and the energy was electric. The crowd was already pumped up from the earlier sets, and though it took a little while for the band to set up, the wait was worth it. They threw skeletons dancing across the big screen, and the whole room cracked up, it set the perfect tone.
Then the band came out with a full wedding theme for their sets. The lead singer wore a wedding dress and a bunny hat, while the rest of the band rocked ties to match. People were already screaming before the first note hit. The crowd went wild, moshing hard, jumping off the stage, diving into the pit. One girl stage-dived but didn’t quite stick the landing. She hit the ground hard, but she ended up being ok. The lead singer even joined the pit, blurring the line between performer and crowd. And then came the best part. The crowd lifted him up, holding him high as he sang over us. We got to meet all the people from each of the bands getting autographs, and pictures and talking to them about how amazing they were.
This concert left a mark on me. The energy, the music, the people–it was all unforgettable. Every band poured their heart out and put so much passion and emotion into their set, and you could feel the crowd absorbing every bit of it. It wasn’t just noise or chaos, it was something real and beautiful.
