Write-Up and Photos by: Brianna Guinigundo
(The Beacham, Orlando FL) I had never headbanged that much at a concert before—and I had never had as much fun doing it. Featuring upbeat, fast-paced indie music, the show was headlined by Phoneboy and Heart Attack Man, with opening acts from PONY and Slow Joy. It was my first time at The Beacham, and it definitely would not be my last. The venue offered a spacious layout while still maintaining an intimate feel, and I felt invigorated by the bass vibrating through the floor. The energy was electric from the start, with PONY beginning their set just 30 minutes after doors opened, wasting no time.
PONY never let the music die; instead, they transitioned smoothly from one song to the next, leaving the audience wanting more. Slow Joy built on that momentum, telling the crowd, “We have one job here, and it’s to warm you guys up!” They enthusiastically carried out that mission, jumping and clapping to encourage the audience to follow along—something the crowd eagerly embraced. They shared that they had spent all of February recording a new album and jokingly told the audience to “sing if you know the words” before playing an unreleased song. Small moments like that helped the audience feel more connected to the artists, perfectly setting the stage for Heart Attack Man and Phoneboy.
Heart Attack Man was exhilarating. Their high-energy style felt raw and unrestrained, getting the crowd air-banging in tempo with their fast, angsty sound. Each song built on the last, with standout performances including “Like A Kennedy,” “Old Enough 2 Die,” and “Leap Year.” Fans erupted when the band announced they had released two brand-new songs and would play them live—“Limb From Limb” and “Mechanically Separated.” Before the latter, guitarist Eric Egan shared a candid reflection about the unpredictability of the world and the feeling of being disconnected from others, adding emotional weight to the performance. He later lightened the mood by asking who had work the next day, jokingly dedicating “Laughing Without Smiling” to everyone who did. A recurring joke—ending songs with “Thank you, we’re Coldplay” or “We’re Twenty One Pilots”—kept the crowd engaged and laughing, creating a strong sense of unity that carried through their closing song, “Freak of Nature,” dedicated to “all (my) freaks in the building tonight.”
The excitement only grew from there. What made Phoneboy stand out was their authenticity, capturing universal emotions from falling in love to falling apart. Fans experienced the full spectrum as the band performed songs from all three of their albums, with a focus on their latest release, Heartbreak Designer. They opened with “Wayside,” as each member took their place: Jordan Torres on keyboard, Ricky Dana and Wyn Barnum on vocals and guitar, and James Fusco on bass.
What made the experience even more special was what happened before they even stepped on stage. The band members themselves had been working the merchandise table, talking one-on-one with fans, signing items, and taking photos. Seeing them in such a personal, approachable setting created a warm, homey atmosphere before the show even began. So when they finally took the stage, it felt less like watching distant performers and more like cheering on friends.
The merchandise itself added to that connection. Alongside crewnecks, shirts, and keychains, one of the most memorable items for sale was a real rotary dial phone signed by each band member—a clever and meaningful nod to the band’s name and the central symbol of their debut album.
On stage, Phoneboy radiated comfort and joy. Torres flipped her hair in rhythm with her playing, while Dana jumped off a raised platform mid-song without missing a beat. Their unfiltered genuineness was magnetic, and much of the crowd sang along word-for-word. Before performing “FOMO,” they explained the song’s theme of feeling left out while others seemed to be living exciting lives—a reminder that the people on stage shared the same insecurities and emotions as everyone in the audience.
The show itself was pure fun. The crowd was nothing but lively, and the music was nothing but energizing. During “Something on My Mind,” the band had the audience split into two halves and run at each other, creating a cinematic, mosh-pit moment straight out of a movie. At one point, a giant inflatable beach ball covered in signatures appeared and bounced above the crowd, with fans eagerly keeping it in motion. The band even encouraged everyone to turn to a neighbor and scream as loud as they could, further fueling the energy in the room.
Despite their high-energy hits like “Better Than You,” Phoneboy balanced the set with softer indie moments like “Sweater Song.” Regardless of tempo, their humility remained constant. They expressed genuine gratitude, sharing how meaningful it was to tour with bands they admired. Barnum even gave a heartfelt shoutout to a friend in the audience who had encouraged him to attend Stevens Institute of Technology—where he met Dana and began making music together. Introducing “Hey, Kid!” from their debut album, the moment served as a reflection on how far they had come, inspiring the audience with the idea that no dream is too big.
When the band left the stage, the crowd erupted into chants for “one more.” Fans were thrilled when Phoneboy returned to announce three final songs. They also reminded everyone that they would be back at the merchandise table immediately afterward, and a long, excited line quickly formed.
Their friendliness and authenticity—both on stage and off—made the entire night feel welcoming and personal. As Dana had once said in an interview, “We’re your friends and we love you,” and that sentiment rang true throughout the evening. Inside The Beacham, that love was contagious. Fans shouted every lyric, jumped, headbanged, and smiled nonstop. It was clear that Orlando loved Phoneboy—and the feeling was entirely mutual.
To watch our backstage interview with Phoneboy: Phoneboy Interview
(The Beacham, Orlando FL) I had never headbanged that much at a concert before—and I had never had as much fun doing it. Featuring upbeat, fast-paced indie music, the show was headlined by Phoneboy and Heart Attack Man, with opening acts from PONY and Slow Joy. It was my first time at The Beacham, and it definitely would not be my last. The venue offered a spacious layout while still maintaining an intimate feel, and I felt invigorated by the bass vibrating through the floor. The energy was electric from the start, with PONY beginning their set just 30 minutes after doors opened, wasting no time.
PONY never let the music die; instead, they transitioned smoothly from one song to the next, leaving the audience wanting more. Slow Joy built on that momentum, telling the crowd, “We have one job here, and it’s to warm you guys up!” They enthusiastically carried out that mission, jumping and clapping to encourage the audience to follow along—something the crowd eagerly embraced. They shared that they had spent all of February recording a new album and jokingly told the audience to “sing if you know the words” before playing an unreleased song. Small moments like that helped the audience feel more connected to the artists, perfectly setting the stage for Heart Attack Man and Phoneboy.
Heart Attack Man was exhilarating. Their high-energy style felt raw and unrestrained, getting the crowd air-banging in tempo with their fast, angsty sound. Each song built on the last, with standout performances including “Like A Kennedy,” “Old Enough 2 Die,” and “Leap Year.” Fans erupted when the band announced they had released two brand-new songs and would play them live—“Limb From Limb” and “Mechanically Separated.” Before the latter, guitarist Eric Egan shared a candid reflection about the unpredictability of the world and the feeling of being disconnected from others, adding emotional weight to the performance. He later lightened the mood by asking who had work the next day, jokingly dedicating “Laughing Without Smiling” to everyone who did. A recurring joke—ending songs with “Thank you, we’re Coldplay” or “We’re Twenty One Pilots”—kept the crowd engaged and laughing, creating a strong sense of unity that carried through their closing song, “Freak of Nature,” dedicated to “all (my) freaks in the building tonight.”
The excitement only grew from there. What made Phoneboy stand out was their authenticity, capturing universal emotions from falling in love to falling apart. Fans experienced the full spectrum as the band performed songs from all three of their albums, with a focus on their latest release, Heartbreak Designer. They opened with “Wayside,” as each member took their place: Jordan Torres on keyboard, Ricky Dana and Wyn Barnum on vocals and guitar, and James Fusco on bass.
What made the experience even more special was what happened before they even stepped on stage. The band members themselves had been working the merchandise table, talking one-on-one with fans, signing items, and taking photos. Seeing them in such a personal, approachable setting created a warm, homey atmosphere before the show even began. So when they finally took the stage, it felt less like watching distant performers and more like cheering on friends.
The merchandise itself added to that connection. Alongside crewnecks, shirts, and keychains, one of the most memorable items for sale was a real rotary dial phone signed by each band member—a clever and meaningful nod to the band’s name and the central symbol of their debut album.
On stage, Phoneboy radiated comfort and joy. Torres flipped her hair in rhythm with her playing, while Dana jumped off a raised platform mid-song without missing a beat. Their unfiltered genuineness was magnetic, and much of the crowd sang along word-for-word. Before performing “FOMO,” they explained the song’s theme of feeling left out while others seemed to be living exciting lives—a reminder that the people on stage shared the same insecurities and emotions as everyone in the audience.
The show itself was pure fun. The crowd was nothing but lively, and the music was nothing but energizing. During “Something on My Mind,” the band had the audience split into two halves and run at each other, creating a cinematic, mosh-pit moment straight out of a movie. At one point, a giant inflatable beach ball covered in signatures appeared and bounced above the crowd, with fans eagerly keeping it in motion. The band even encouraged everyone to turn to a neighbor and scream as loud as they could, further fueling the energy in the room.
Despite their high-energy hits like “Better Than You,” Phoneboy balanced the set with softer indie moments like “Sweater Song.” Regardless of tempo, their humility remained constant. They expressed genuine gratitude, sharing how meaningful it was to tour with bands they admired. Barnum even gave a heartfelt shoutout to a friend in the audience who had encouraged him to attend Stevens Institute of Technology—where he met Dana and began making music together. Introducing “Hey, Kid!” from their debut album, the moment served as a reflection on how far they had come, inspiring the audience with the idea that no dream is too big.
When the band left the stage, the crowd erupted into chants for “one more.” Fans were thrilled when Phoneboy returned to announce three final songs. They also reminded everyone that they would be back at the merchandise table immediately afterward, and a long, excited line quickly formed.
Their friendliness and authenticity—both on stage and off—made the entire night feel welcoming and personal. As Dana had once said in an interview, “We’re your friends and we love you,” and that sentiment rang true throughout the evening. Inside The Beacham, that love was contagious. Fans shouted every lyric, jumped, headbanged, and smiled nonstop. It was clear that Orlando loved Phoneboy—and the feeling was entirely mutual.
To watch our backstage interview with Phoneboy: Phoneboy Interview
Phoneboy:
RSS Feed