There are some shows where the music is only half the story. The rest is in the glances exchanged between bandmates, the jokes tossed into the mic and the unfiltered moments that make a room feel smaller in the best possible way.
On November 18, during the second-to-last stop of their “Nowhere to Be Tour,” Austin indie-rock group West 22nd and New Orleans opener Hey, Thanks turned Chelsea’s into exactly that kind of space — a warm, buzzing pocket of community shaped by two bands on the edge of new chapters.
West 22nd took the stage with the ease and cohesion of a band that’s learned to thrive together. The Austin-born five-piece — Logan Madsen as vocals, Jeremy Ancheta playing lead guitar, Gabe Acevedo jamming on rhythm guitar, Jet Beck strumming on bass and newly joined Liam Mackle drumming — have been a band for a little over three years. Formed by Madsen and Ancheta during their first year of college at UT Austin, the band’s history is the kind of chaotic college-band lore that becomes myth. From dorm room neighbors, open mic nights, shifting lineups and then a “poaching” of newly joined members, the members are locked in — and onstage, their chemistry is unmistakable.
Musically, their inspirations circle the indie-rock universe, with influences from The Backseat Lovers, Cage the Elephant, Vampire Weekend, Big Thief, The Beatles and Spacey Jane woven into their writing. These influences surfaced in flashes through their set of spontaneous chaos and balanced polish.
Over the past few years, they’ve also shared stages with notable indie acts, including opening for Remi Wolf during a UT campus event, performing an aftershow for Group Love and joining Sunroom for a run of dates. Since 2023, however, they’ve shifted to headlining exclusively, as the band has become increasingly popular among college-aged crowds.
When talking about memorable venues, they lit up, describing different stops along the road. The band gave a shout-out to Lexington’s The Burl, reminiscing on the venue’s green room and overall vibes — while also highlighting several other venues whose energy mirrors the band’s own commitment to intimate, high-impact shows such as Kilby Court, Mercury Lounge and Chelsea’s itself.
Despite nearing the end of their tour, with Baton Rouge marking the second-to-last stop, the band doesn’t believe in playing tired. “We play every show like it’s the last show ever,” they said – a promise they upheld as they powered through a dynamic, high-energy set. Even a near “final destination moment” involving a rogue guitar cable couldn’t throw them off course. West 22nd closed the night with three encore songs, leaving the room buzzing and fans breathless as the band prepared for their final show before heading home.
As for what’s next? The band is eager to play more shows and has more music in the works. Specific details are under wraps for now, but they promised they’ll be back soon.
Hey, thanks for setting the tone
While West 22nd carried the night, the energy was primed earlier by opener Hey, Thanks. Their set — nostalgic yet forward-leaning — added a shimmering emotional foundation that made the room feel fully warmed by the time West 22nd took the stage. Their performance served as both a thoughtful introduction to the night and a reminder of how crucial openers can be in shaping a show’s atmosphere.
Formed in 2016 by friends Travis Opal (vocals), Jaron Dufrene (drums), and Trevor Lee (keyboard and guitar), the band draws on a wide range of sounds — emo’s emotional heft, the punch of early-2000s punk and the soft shimmer of indie pop.
Their biggest influences — The Cure, pop-rock energy, and shimmering reverb — were unmistakable in their live arrangements, which featured lush reverb and carefully layered textures. As they continue shaping the atmospheric, synth-inflected direction of their current sound, the band is already teasing their next potential chapter: a new record, with a single and music video slated for 2026.
Their parting message summed up their ethos with refreshing honesty: “Be inspired to not care about algorithms or fitting the mold of society. Make music you’re passionate about, and the real you will show itself.”
It’s a sentiment that radiates through their sound — unfiltered, earnest and defiantly creative.
A night of sonic range and community energy
What made the night stand out wasn’t just the musicianship; it was the camaraderie. Both bands brought humor, humanity, and the particular charisma that thrives in smaller venues. Chelsea’s offered the perfect environment with no frills, strong sound, and a crowd ready to connect.
From Hey, Thanks’s reverb-laced emotional landscapes to West 22nd’s dynamic indie-rock storytelling, the evening highlighted two groups stepping confidently into their subsequent eras. Each played like they had something to prove, but more importantly, like they had something to share.
In a city that thrives on live sound, acts like these don’t just put on a show — they expand the scene. If West 22nd’s closing promise holds, Baton Rouge hasn’t seen the last of them.
