Photojournalist: Antonina Schubert
On April 18, the Californian trio half•alive lit up KEMBA Live! in Columbus, Ohio, with a performance that was equal parts emotional, immersive, and electrifying. As part of their Persona World Tour, the band—consisting of Josh Taylor (lead vocals, guitar), Brett Kramer (drums), and J. Tyler Johnson (bass guitar)—delivered a show that blurred the lines between concert and art performance, leaving all 1,500+ fans buzzing with post-show adrenaline.
“Columbus has always shown up for us,” Josh Taylor told the crowd mid-set, and he wasn’t kidding. The energy inside the venue was undeniable. Fans sang every lyric at the top of their lungs, jumped in sync with the beat, and created a sense of community with strangers who shared their love for half•alive. The band fed off that passion, delivering a night that felt incredibly special—one that, as Taylor pointed out, would never be exactly replicated again.
One of the most jaw-dropping moments came during “automatic,” when Taylor surprised the crowd by launching into a crowd surf. The look of pure joy and shock on fans’ faces as he floated above them was unforgettable—it was the kind of moment that makes live music feel magical.
But half•alive didn’t just rely on adrenaline. Their signature choreography brought an added layer of artistry to the show. Their dancers, Casey Murray and Emma Sutherland moved with striking precision and raw emotion, elevating the performance into something almost theatrical. Their presence added depth, energy, and a visual rhythm that seamlessly complemented the music.
The setlist struck a perfect balance between high-energy anthems and intimate interludes. A standout was the acoustic blend of “beige” into “Hot Tea,” which created a beautifully stripped-down moment in the middle of the show. The arrangement pulled fans in emotionally, highlighting the band’s musicality and their ability to connect deeply with the crowd.
A recurring theme throughout the night was perception—how we see ourselves, others, and the moments that bring us together. The lighting design beautifully mirrored this, shifting moods and enhancing the emotional arc of each song. Combined with Taylor’s reflections and crowd conversations, the show felt deeply intentional.
This was my second time seeing half•alive live, having first caught them in 2023, and I can confidently say they remain one of the best live acts out there. Their shows stay with you. They’re the kind of performances that have you replaying the songs on the way home, chasing that high long after the final note fades.
As Taylor said, “It stays here. It stays in our memories.” And what a memory it was.
half•alive continues their Persona World Tour across the United States through the end of April, before heading to the UK and Europe in May, and wrapping up in Australia this June. You can grab tickets and see which cities they’re headed to next at https://www.halfalive.co/
