There’s something magical about walking into Vibes Underground on a night when San Antonio collectively decides, “Yeah, tonight’s the night it's going down.”
The Countdown City showed up in force on December 5th as Eyes Set To Kill rolled in with their "15 Years of Broken Frames Anniversary Tour" with the support of Stitched Up Heart and Lauren Babic.
Even with the cold front brushing through the city, fans arrived early, buzzing about their favorite songs, swapping stories from past tours, and guessing which rare songs they may hear that night. Nostalgia filled the room like echoes from long-lost Warped Tour summers. With Stitched Up Heart’s brand new single “SICK SICK SICK” (featuring both Eyes Set To Kill and Lauren Babic) released just two weeks ago, and the music video dropping the very next day, this show was destined to be loud and unforgettable.
If you stayed home because of the chilly weather, you missed one of the most meaningful shows Vibes Underground has seen this year.
Stitched Up Heart, an alternative metal band from Los Angeles, California, took the stage as the first touring support act of the night and wasted no time lighting up the room with a wave of unrelenting energy. Mixi’s stage presence was powerful and magnetic, and the crowd belted along to songs such as “Possession” and “My Demon.” Guitarist Randy Mathias was especially engaging to watch as he naturally fell into perfect, photogenic moments. You can tell he was genuinely playing his heart out the entire set, especially for “Monster,” which added an extra spark to an already tight and dynamic performance.
The crowd erupted when they announced “SICK SICK SICK” as the next song of their set and chanted every word verbatim. Following their set, the band gathered around the merch table for photos and hangs with everyone. I was thrilled to add a signed poster, the "To The Wolves" album, and their Wolves tee to my ever-growing collection of band merch. Based on the reaction they received, I know that the next time they return to Texas, they’ll be bigger and louder than ever.
Photos by Ryan Cagle
Can I say that seeing Lauren Babic live for the first time was one of the biggest surprises of the night? Ever since I started listening after seeing her name on the tour announcement, I have been beyond stoked to witness this performance. I previously went on a YouTube deep dive after hearing her cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," and I've heard nothing but high praise; however, experiencing her set live made all comments an understatement.
Lauren carried her performance with a blend of sincerity and fire, and her ability to switch from delicate, melodic cleans to thunderous screams had the entire crowd hooked from the second she stepped onstage. She performed “Let It Die,” “Ghost,” and “Bloodbath,” each delivered with a level of intensity that would make you feel as if you were racing towards the final boss battle room.
What makes her presence even more impressive is the range of work she's done outside of the touring world. Lauren has collaborated with some of the biggest names in gaming, co-writing and performing "Zeri, The Spark of Zaun" for League of Legends and singing "Dead Man Walking" for Remnant II's announcement trailer, which debuted at The Game Awards.
One of my favorites of the night came when she let the crowd choose her final song. She offered a few options and told everyone to vote with their voices. The entire venue cheered in support of “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. Lauren laughed, embraced the moment, and delivered a joyous performance along with pink-themed lights that had everyone dancing and singing along.
Photos by Ryan Cagle
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for!
When Eyes Set To Kill finally stepped out, the venue roared with cheers of excitement! This wasn’t just any tour stop--this was a celebration for 15 Years of "Broken Frames," and the band made sure San Antonio felt the weight of that milestone.
They opened with “All You Ever Knew” and “Break,” immediately pulling everyone into the nostalgia of the era they were here to celebrate. The energy in the room lifted the moment Alexia stepped to the mic, and shortly before “Inside the Eye,” she smiled and reassured longtime fans, “Don’t worry, old schoolers, we’re playing old songs tonight." And she made good on that promise.
This was the band’s first show in San Antonio in two years, and the crowd embraced their return with every lyric shouted back at the stage with utmost gratitude. Hearing songs like “Reach,” “Broken Frames,” and “Liar In The Glass” took me back to seeing them on the Ghostbustour in 2010 with iwrestledabearonce—a time when we were all packed into sweaty venues discovering bands that would end up defining entire chapters of our lives.
There’s no denying the level of talent ESTK brings to the stage, but what sets them apart is the realness behind the performance. Throughout the set, Alexia and Jeremy stopped to thank the crowd, shouted out the tour package and the local openers, and spoke to the room with sincerity and heart. One of the most heartfelt moments came when she addressed Anissa’s absence, explaining she was playing her first ever show with her other band, Cuntrol, that same night. Congratulations, Anissa!
And despite Jeremy mentioning that he felt ill the day before, he pushed through and delivered a powerful performance that earned loud cheers of support from fans throughout the night.
Each song felt like a shared memory as it reverberated through the venue. “Wilderness” showcased the band’s evolving sound, and they closed the night with “Darling,” leaving the room stirring with emotion long after the last note faded.
Photos by Ryan Cagle
SETLIST (via setlist.fm)
All You Ever Knew // Break // Inside the Eye // The Listening // Reach // Falling Fast // Wilderness // Broken Frames // Ticking Bombs // Infected // Liar In The Glass // Darling
Check out Stitched Up Heart's music video for "SICK, SICK, SICK" featuring Eyes Set To Kill, Lauren Babic, and Judge & Jury, below:
