Cher Khan + Fight the Future: Private Show @ Paxton Studios 10.12 - SLUG Magazine

Almost six months after dropping their first single, the local post-hardcore band Cher Khan held their inaugural live performance at Paxton Studios over the weekend. I’ve previously written about Cher Khan a few times, so I was excited to see if their live energy matched the intensity of their recordings. I was not let down. With Fight the Future kicking things off with a bang, Cher Khan delivering a powerful set, and the unique vibe of the venue, this ended up being one of my favorite local shows ever.

Fight the Future started the evening with “Gaslight,” their anthem reminiscent of Bikini Kill, which emphasizes the importance of staying true to your own story regardless of outside influence. This was my first time witnessing Fight the Future perform live, and I was completely overwhelmed by their incredible stage presence. Lead singer Kelly Green bounded around like an energetic kangaroo in combat boots, while the rest of the band energetically played their instruments on the soft rugs that made up the venue’s stage.

I was really captivated by how Green seamlessly transitioned between passionately addressing the microphone in her strong grip and flashing a warm smile at the crowd in between lyrics. She conveys the message, "I’m angry, but not at you. You’re my ally because you’re by my side," creating an inviting atmosphere for anyone ready to stand with her in her fierce resistance against patriarchy, homophobia, and racism.

Fight the Future thundered through their 30-minute performance, delivering all their top tracks, with “Erica” being my personal favorite. After their set, it was Cher Khan’s turn to perform.

Let me take a moment to highlight the venue, which contributed just as much character to the performance as the artists themselves. Paxton Studios has the same cozy vibe as Kilby Court, but it feels much more rugged, like a blacksmith’s shop—because that’s essentially what it is. Originally a warehouse, John Clarence, a former contractor, has transformed it into a versatile space for two of his passions: creating music and crafting knives.

Throughout the performance, power tools were suspended from hooks on the cinder block walls, while large machines lay covered with tarps, resembling giant, shadowy figures that had come back to life to see what all the noise was about. Believe me, you haven't truly experienced hardcore music until it's blasting just ten feet away from a heavy lathe. Places like this truly embody the essence of "underground" in the "Salt Lake underground," and I’m determined to attend every show at Paxton Studios from here on out.

Following a quick sound check and a few minor technical hiccups—where guitarist Brad Rhoades entertained the audience with his impressive collection of guitar riffs from the early 2000s—the band kicked off their performance with “Cycloptic.” I was especially looking forward to experiencing this track live, as Aria Newberry's blazing solo is a standout moment from the band’s debut EP.

With one side of her hair a vibrant pink and the other a rich brown, Newberry brings to mind a Neapolitan ice cream that has mastered the art of rocking out on a guitar. Her quick fingers strike each note of her solo flawlessly, setting the audience up perfectly for the rest of the band’s performance, which somehow escalated even higher from this already impressive peak.

In the following half hour, Cher Khan powered through their entire EP, delivered an impressive rendition of Superheaven’s “Knew,” and introduced two new tracks that vocalist Syd Hale mentioned would be included in the band's next album.

Unlike Green from Fight the Future, Hale has a more subdued yet equally powerful presence. When she stepped onto the stage, she stood firm in front of her microphone and looked out at the audience with deep vulnerability, her black bangs framing her face. From this strong position, she passionately delivered each song, charging through lines like “Tell me that you want to be dead / without saying that you want to be dead” with fierce energy.

Even though Cher Khan's music carried a strong sense of tension, there was a warm connection among the band members, shown through their encouraging smiles and playful teasing. It felt like I was witnessing a family united in their struggles, working together to improve the harsh world around them with a mix of anger and kindness.

Although Hale remained relatively still throughout the performance, Newberry, Rhoades, and bassist Wesley Manalo energized the atmosphere by moving around wildly as if they were in a trance, managing to hit every note flawlessly. Meanwhile, drummer David Sedano filled the space with his powerful, thunderous beats.

The band wrapped up their high-energy performance with their new track "Shift Shape," and as the crowd erupted in applause, the house lights came on. Since this was a secret gig, there weren't enough people to start a mosh pit, but the enthusiasm for one was definitely palpable. We in the audience became a writhing mass, swaying to the intense sound waves that poured from the band. Coming back to reality after experiencing such a mesmerizing moment can be a bit disorienting, and in the faces all around me, I could see a longing to remain lost in the music’s powerful embrace for just a bit longer.

Later, I spoke with Hale and Newberry to learn more about their new album. While the exact release date hasn't been announced yet, Hale mentioned that the album is set to drop in 2025 and will be called Bliss. I'm really looking forward to experiencing new music from Cher Khan, and I'm excited to see the direction the band takes after their impressive debut.

Check out more concert highlights here: Clairo at The Great Saltair on October 13 and Judah & the Lion at The Union on October 7.