Sleep Theory Summit Music Hall
Sleep Theory brought the emotional storm to Denver on June 8 with a powerhouse headlining set at Summit Music Hall on their Afterglow Tour. They were supported by a diverse and carefully curated lineup: Stray View, Oxymorrons, and Nevertel. The night flowed like a well-constructed mixtape. Each act brought their own energy, genre fusion, and crowd-warming impact before Sleep Theory brought down the house.
Opening the night, Stray View set the tone with a gritty, post-hardcore-leaning set that introduced the crowd to the night’s emotional weight. Their sound leaned more raw than refined, but it was effective, catching the early crowd’s attention with tight riffs and high-tempo urgency.
Things took a wild turn (in the best way) when Oxymorrons hit the stage. The New York genre-benders delivered an explosive fusion of rock, hip-hop, and alt-punk energy. Their set was high-octane and crowd-interactive, adding a layer of chaotic fun to the night. The band was loud, playful, and sharp. They were a standout in terms of stage presence.
Third up, Nevertel delivered a sleek, melodic, and emotionally charged performance. Blending alternative rock with electronic textures and anthemic hooks, they kept the momentum high and showcased some impressive vocal range. Their set struck a good balance between vulnerability and aggression; a perfect sonic bridge into Sleep Theory’s world.
By the time Sleep Theory took the stage, the room was fully primed. The Memphis-based rock outfit wasted no time diving into fan favorites off their Paper Hearts EP and Afterglow. Lead singer Cullen Moore’s vocals were a standout they were raw, passionate, and pitch-perfect. They performed their entire current discography, teased a few unreleased tracks from an upcoming album, and had the crowd fully engaged from front to back.
Their performance walked a line between polished and emotionally raw, a rare feat and difficult to execute. The lighting design was moody and dramatic, emphasizing the introspective themes of their music without overwhelming the performance. The room felt intimate despite being packed, and fans responded with full-throttle energy: singing along, crowd surfing, and moshing throughout the heavier songs, then falling silent during the more delicate moments.
This wasn’t just a night of music. It was a night of catharsis. The lineup progression was smartly paced, the performances were emotionally grounded, and the crowd was fully bought in. Whether you came to scream, cry, or both, this show delivered.
Stray View
Stray View is a rising alt-rock band out of Dallas, fronted by Dave Escamilla (formerly of Crown The Empire). Blending heavy guitars, electronic textures, and emotionally charged vocals, the band has quickly carved out a unique sound that sits somewhere between modern metalcore and arena-ready rock. Since forming in 2023, they’ve signed with Hopeless Records, released a string of punchy singles like “Escape” and “Vivid,” and dropped their debut EP Displace/Erase. With slick production, big hooks, and a growing fanbase, Stray View is quickly making waves as one of the more exciting new acts in the alt-metal space.
Oxymorrons
Oxymorrons are a genre-bending quartet from Queens, New York, comprised of vocalist brothers Demi “Deee” and Kami “KI,” powerhouse drummer Matty Mayz, and the multifaceted Jafé Paulino on vocals, guitar, and bass. They fuse punk attitude, hard rock riffs, and hip-hop flow into what they’ve coined “Melanin Punk”—music with big energy, bigger hearts, and zero box-ticking.
Known for festival-ready bangers like “Green Vision” and “Enemy,” and celebrated for their explosive live shows, these guys are more than just music, they’re a whole movement.
With socially conscious lyrics, tight grooves, and genre-free ethos, Oxymorrons are rewriting rock’s rulebook and bringing unapologetic individuality into the spotlight.
Nevertel
Nevertel is a Tampa, Florida–based alternative rock outfit that’s been turning heads since forming in 2014. They seamlessly blend metalcore aggression, hip-hop swagger, and EDM-infused breakdowns into a sound that’s both emotionally powerful and radio-ready. igned to Epitaph Records, they’ve released notable albums like Everything in My Mind (2021) and the 2025 LP Start Again, along with singles such as “Losing Faith” and “Criminal,” both of which charted on the Mainstream Rock charts.
Their music draws comparisons to Linkin Park and Bring Me the Horizon, balancing anthemic choruses with gritty verses and electronic textures. With over 60 million global streams, festival appearances like Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple, and a high-energy blend of genres, Nevertel is solidifying its place as a standout act in modern rock. Easily one to spotlight for readers into hard-hitting, genre-blending music.
Sleep Theory
Sleep Theory, hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, burst onto the scene in 2019 as a solo project by veteran vocalist Cullen Moore and quickly solidified into a four-piece with Daniel Pruitt (guitar/unclean vocals), Paolo Vergara (bass/backing vocals), and Ben Pruitt (drums). Signed to Epitaph, they’ve carved a distinctive niche by blending nu‑metal, alternative metal, R&B, and hard rock this bled is backed by Moore’s powerful, soul-infused voice and dynamic songwriting.
Their rise has been swift and seismic: after the 2023 Paper Hearts EP racked up over 33 million streams, their debut full-length Afterglow dropped on May 16, 2025, debuting on the Billboard 200 and delivering radio hits like “Stuck in My Head,” “Fallout,” and “Static”. With over 300 million streams, a heavy-hitting sound that swings between emotional balladry and crushing breakdowns, and a headlining tour that’s lighting up stages across North America, Sleep Theory is fast becoming the face of modern nu‑rock.
All photos by Andrew Ortega | All Rights Reserved