Layers of distorted guitars and textured production have always been Hotline TNT’s signature, and somehow the band was able to translate the flurry of sound into a live experience during a set at Rubber Gloves in Denton, Texas. 

Opener Stab brought hazy, shoegaze-eqsue alternative rock from Austin to the stage with frontman DJ Karl sharing laid back quips with the crowd before Oakland’s Toner dished out a punk-meets-garage rock set. Both bands served as a perfect intro to Hotline TNT’s love for indie rock with just the right amount of melody and distortion pedals. 

Hotline TNT played a string of songs from Cartwheel and this year’s full-length release Raspberry Moon, as well as some of the tracks from their numerous EPs. Raspberry Moon’s crisper production didn’t stop Hotline TNT from traversing into fuzziness and rougher tones on stage. 

For singer, guitarist, and songwriter Will Anderson, the show was all about living in the moment and creating a more personal connection with music. Before playing, he encouraged concertgoers to put away their phones after the first three songs. Then, towards the end of the set, he briefly mentioned that “live music isn’t streaming, streaming isn’t live music” before encouraging the audience to embrace physical media. 

Back in August, Anderson announced on Instagram that Hotline TNT’s music was bring removed from Spotify because the streaming platform “does not align with the band’s values in any way.” Recently, several artists have left Spotify due to the company’s ties with an AI defense technology company. Anderson’s stance is clearly more than just performative- making his statements made during the show more impactful. 

For the fans of the New York-based band, it was a change to see an underrated indie rock act in an intimate venue with everyone from punks to indie kids- sans smartphone in hand. 

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