Memphis May Fire at The Truman in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday, December 15, 2025. [Photo credit: Pam Whisenhunt]

PAM WHISENHUNT | Go Venue Magazine

It was an unseasonably warm December night in Kansas City when Memphis May Fire rolled through town on their Shapeshifter Part II tour.  With temps still hovering in the mid 40’s after sunset, fans didn’t seem to mind waiting outside The Truman. Inside though, the near sold-out venue quickly heated up as If Not For Me, Nevertel, Rain City Drive and Memphis May Fire delivered a start to finish onslaught of energy that kept bodies moving.

Opening the night was If Not For Me out of Harrisburg, PA. They appeared genuinely surprised by how full the room was for a Monday night and even more so by how many fans were already singing along. As the crowd loosened up and the blood started flowing, frontman Patrick Glover asked for some surfers toward the end of the set. That was all the invitation needed. Santa and the Grinch made their way to the barricade, setting a playful but rowdy tone that carried through the rest of the evening.

Nevertel followed and immediately kicked the pace into high gear. Vocalist Jeremy Michael and rapper Raul Lopez constantly traded sides, pacing the stage and feeding off each other’s momentum. The circle pit in the middle of the floor grew, peaking during crowd favorites “Break the Silence” and “Criminal,” as the band’s blend of melody and aggression kept the energy climbing.

Rain City Drive kept the fire burning with a clean, polished set that showcased just how tight the band has become. Their second song, “Cutting It Close,” marked a milestone as their first single following their 2021 rebrand from Slaves. The set was stacked with familiar hits, including “Wish You the Best,” “Concrete Closure,” “Blood Runs Cold,” “Frozen,” “Talk to a Friend,” and “Medicate Me,” each one landing with a crowd that clearly knew every word.

Memphis May Fire took the stage promptly at 9:30 p.m. and wasted no time diving in. They tore through newer material from Shapeshifter—including “Paralyzed,” “Shapeshifter,” “Infection,” and “Hell Is Empty”—while seamlessly weaving in longtime favorites like “Bleed Me Dry,” “Somebody,” “Misery,” and “Make Believe.” More than halfway through the set, the band finally slowed things down with “The Other Side,” offering a brief breather.

Near the end of the night, the band exited the stage, leaving vocalist Matty Mullins alone to deliver a stripped-down, rendition of “Versus.” Mullins soon disappeared as well, only to return moments later with the full band, joking that there would be no more band peek-a-boo. They closed the night with “Blood & Water” and one of their newest hits, “Chaotic,” capping off a relentless set and sending fans home with hearts beating hard and voices worn out.

Given that Memphis May Fire’s equipment truck had recently lost control and flipped off the road in an ice storm damaging a significant amount of gear.  It was fair to wonder what impact that might have had on the show. If it did, it wasn’t noticeable. The performance was seamless, polished, and powerful from start to finish.

This tour lineup was one of those that kept me saying, “Oh yeah—they sing that one.” The bangers ran deep all night. It’s a truly strong, high-energy metalcore package, with every band boasting substantial radio play and a crowd that relished every second of it.

Memphis May Fire Rain City Drive Nevertel If Not For Me All images © Pam Whisenhunt

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