A whirlwind of electric violins and bagpipes set The Shelter ablaze by Mia x Ally for the final show of their Viral Hits Tour.
From the moment they stepped onto the stage with Dropkick Murphy’s “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” Mia x Ally exuded a captivating energy that resonated with everyone in attendance. The chemistry between Mia Asano (electric violin) and Ally Crowley-Duncan (on bagpipes) was palpable, each complementing the other’s talents with seamless precision. Joining the fantastic duo were Dov Beck-Levine on guitar, providing intricate melodies, and guest drummer Kyle Brian, driving the rhythm with relentless energy and precision.
The band treated the crowd to an almost two-hour show, consisting of two acts. The first act was a tribute to the nerds, with the Game of Thrones Theme bringing in guest bagpiper Elijah Woolcott, a tribute to Pirates of the Caribbean with “(S)He’s a Pirate,” a killer cover of Lindsey Stirling’s “Roundtable Rival,” and an amazing mashup of “The Halo Theme” and “Duel of the Fates.” Paying homage to their TikTok beginnings, they did a mashup of some of their most popular songs from the app. They also treated their fans to some original songs, with Mia’s “Lunar” and Ally’s “Lancaster’s Hornpipe” and “Faye’s Jigs.”
What made the show special was Mia x Ally’s genuine connection with the audience. Between songs, they shared anecdotes and personal insights, inviting the crowd into their world and forging a bond that transcended the confines of the stage. Whether they were laughing together, particularly in a funny bit where they attempted to play each other’s instruments, or baring their souls through music, Mia and Ally’s authenticity was undeniable.
The second half of the show went full rock, with Eric Johnson’s “Cliffs of Dover” and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” that had the crowd screaming the lyrics. There were also more originals; Ally’s “The Megalodon Reel” and Mia’s “Labyrinth” which showcased each musician’s talent.
In a poignant moment in the night, the duo rocked a cover of “Go Go Power Rangers,” after which they spoke about Jason David Frank, famous for playing the green Power Ranger, and his tragic suicide. The women opened up about how important suicide prevention was to them, and how they work to support and donate to the organizations To Write Love on Her Arms and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The revenue from streaming their cover, and sales of Ally’s “Emotional Support Axe” would be donated to the two organizations. After, they went into a hauntingly beautiful and fitting rendition of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”
It feels amazing to see such vulnerability in such a high-octane show. Both opened up to the crowd about imposter syndrome and following your dreams. Mia shared her inspiring story of learning the violin and discovering the potential of incorporating rock into her instrument. All leading to an amazing mashup of “L’Estate (Summer) Op.8 No.2 in G minor: III. Presto” and Vanessa-Mae’s “Storm.”
Elijah Woolcott soon after returning to the stage and treated the crowd to The University of Michigan’s fight song “Hail to the Victors” which led seamlessly to a room-thumping cover of “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. Ally joined him again for a killer bagpipe duet.
For the closing number, the duo jokingly accosted the crowd for requesting “Freebird,” stating that only two artists would perform that song live; Lynyrd Skynyrd themselves, and, well, the two of them; before jumping into a fast-paced performance of the infamous classic tune.
But perhaps the most unforgettable moment of the night came during the encore, when Mia and Ally broke out vocals for an epic cover of The Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” and topped themselves with the hardest song in Guitar Hero: DragonForce’s “Through the Fire and Flames.”
Mia x Ally delivered a mesmerizing concert experience that was nothing short of extraordinary. With their exceptional talent, infectious energy, and genuine connection with the audience, they proved themselves to be a duo worthy of widespread acclaim.
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