Vana’s sold out show at The Atlantis in Washington D.C. had an incredible lineup of some of the most powerful female fronted bands and acts I’ve ever seen. While waiting for the band to start, beach balls were tossed around the venue, keeping the crowd entertained while waiting for the show to start. Deadlands was the first act of the night and hit the stage with some of the most impressive female-fronted vocals I have ever heard. Lead vocalist Kasey Karlsen captured the audience, with heavy riffs and melodic drums supporting her powerful voice. While much of the audience knew top songs like “House of Cards” and “Villain”, the crowd was still very active even for songs they didn’t know. Next up was Chandler Leighton, the energy between her and her guitarist was encapsulating, with the two moving in perfect sync, their stage presence mirroring each other as if choreographed. Chandler shared the meaning behind her songs, making the show an emotional and inclusive experience for even those unfamiliar with her music. 
For the final act of the night, Vana took the stage with her supporting band. Vana’s set was drenched in red—her hair, her outfit, even the lighting, all blending into a single, striking palette. She played a mixed catalogue, switching back and forth between new releases like PRAY and BEG!, and old songs her true fans know by heart. Vana’s set leaned heavily into crowd interaction, turning the performance into something closer to a shared experience than a one-sided show. At one point, she brought a fan onstage to open a pack of Magic: The Gathering cards. At another point in the show, fans chased down her brother for a free t-shirt. The set was not only full of sing along moments but moments of laughter and cheer. 
In summary, while the entire lineup was fantastic, Vana’s energy was truly unmatched and unlike any set I’ve seen before. This night was full of laughter and cheers! Although this was a concert that I won’t soon forget, we still made sure to capture some visuals of all three of the performances in our exclusive photo gallery just below. Lastly, you can stay up to date with everything Vana by following the artist on social media @Vana_NZ for all future updates and news.
Article & Photos By Renee Katz (@ptvreneekatz)
