Photos and writing by Dillon Reesor
Memphis May Fire’s Shapeshifter Tour returned for its second leg this fall, and Thursday’s stop at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach drew a packed room eager for a night of music. Production was dialed in early, the room felt lively, and the lineup promised a good mix of styles featuring supporting acts If Not For Me, Nevertel, and Rain City Drive.
Unfortunately I only caught the very end of If Not For Me’s set from outside the venue while dealing with bag check, so I’ll have to skip over the opening act of the night.
Nevertel put on a solid show; not bad by any means, just not the kind that sticks with you after the room resets. They kept the energy consistent and did what an early-night opener needs to do: give the audience a sturdy foundation for the rest of the show.
Rain City Drive, though, brought the heat. They’re one of those bands who translate extremely well live, and it was obvious within the first song or two. Tight instrumental work across the board, clean transitions, and Matt McAndrew’s vocals cutting right through the mix — easily the most polished performance of the night from a pure musicianship standpoint. They carried themselves like a band ready to take the next step.
Memphis May Fire’s headlining set landed somewhere in the middle. The band played with solid energy, but an uneven mix held things back — vocals got a bit lost in the mix, and the guitars never fully punched the way they should have. What did work was the production: clean light sweeps, bright color washes, and heavy columns of smoke gave the performance more weight than the audio did. The crowd didn’t seem bothered, though; Myrtle Beach stayed loud and engaged throughout, giving the set a lift and ending the night strong.
Overall, the show delivered a steady mix of highs and “good enough” moments. Rain City Drive provided the clear standout set, and the rest of the lineup held the night together with reliable sets that kept the momentum moving. Memphis May Fire’s mix issues may have capped their ceiling, but the atmosphere in the room made up for it; the Myrtle Beach crowd showed up ready to participate, not just observe. It ended up being one of those tour stops where the crowd, the production, and the pacing all work together to create an experience that feels greater than the sum of its individual parts.
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