LANiiDAE is a 5-piece metalcore band out of Charlotte, NC. We got to catch them live recently when they hit up Reboot Arcade in downtown Winston-Salem, NC. The venue itself is pretty amazing actually. It’s no secret that adults enjoy having a few drinks and playing some video games, isn’t that basically why Dave & Buster’s exist? But somehow this business is actually so much better. It’s right off of a main street in the downtown area of Winston-Salem with tons of area businesses to also visit. But you can take a few steps into Reboot Arcade and get a drink, then chill out with a ton of retro arcade games. I don’t think I know anyone that wouldn’t enjoy this concept, honestly.
But back to the main point, not only can you chill in the arcade–At night this arcade turns into a full fledged live music venue. So then you get to enjoy some drinks, live music, and play some games in between sets. While the stage is small and there’s a few little tables. If you’re coming to drink and sit down, you may want to hang out by the bar. Because depending on the band, the floor may just turn into a full fledged mosh pit.
At least, that’s what happened when we visited. Back on June 14th, we got to see a bunch of bands in action at Reboot Arcade. The Dirty Secrets got the show started playing an array of late 90’s/early 00’s pop punk hits. That was enough to get some people dancing and singing along. Then came up Mind the Drive, which is a pop punk band out of Johnson City, TN. Following their set came Ham Radio, which is a rock band also located in Eastern Tennessee. Those 3 bands alone made a great show with loads of music to get you pumped up.
Then Charlotte’s LANiiDAE hit the stage. Honestly, it was getting late. It’s a Saturday night, but we’re old now. Sometimes we get tired early. That’s at least what I was thinking when it was time for the headliner. But no no no, that just isn’t possible for this band. When LANiiDAE came out, for one, they didn’t just hit the stage. They made the room their stage, they brought the show to everyone there. The entire dynamics in this venue changed the second this band started playing. No one was standing still anymore, they were joining in with the band. It was pretty cool because while there were a lot of people that had come there just to see the bands. There were also people who just came out for some drinks and games, but got easily sidetracked by the band on stage. It’s incredible to have the type of presence to catch the attention of anyone near you, and LANiiDAE absolutely has that.
This is your reminder to make sure you’re also checking out your local venues because you may actually find your next favorite band playing them and you don’t want to miss out on that!
I’m Music Magazine Associate Editor/Photographer Daphne McKinney.
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