Saint Motel & the Symphony in the Sky

Coverage by Ash Leininger

09 March 2025 | House of Blues Dallas

Saint Motel who is currently on the "Symphony in the Sky" tour made a vibrant stop at House of Blues Dallas on Sunday night, delivering a performance that was equal parts theatrical, electrifying, and deeply immersive. With an eager crowd packed into the intimate venue, the night was set for a dazzling display of Saint Motel’s signature blend of indie rock and cinematic flair.

Opening Act: Angel White

Kicking off the night was Angel White, a Texas native whose soulful and genre-blurring style immediately captured the audience’s attention. His blend of folk, country, soul, and rock set a unique tone for the evening, giving the crowd a moment to soak in his rich vocals and heartfelt lyricism playing songs off his debut album "Ghost Of The West". By the time his set wrapped up, the energy in the room was steadily rising and ready for Saint Motel to take stage.

Enter: SAINT MOTEL

As the house lights dimmed and a celestial instrumental intro filled the air, Saint Motel—consisting of lead singer A/J Jackson, guitarist Aaron Sharp, bassist Dak Lerdamornpong, and drummer Greg Erwin—emerged to a roaring ovation. The stage was lit with a dazzling backdrop of arches and an array of beautiful blue light engulfed the venue, creating the illusion of a starry night and in the center of the arch illuminated four silhouettes of an orchestra, a perfect portrait of a symphony in the sky. From the moment they launched into "Puzzle Pieces", the energy was electric, with Jackson’s signature theatrical and charismatic presence commanding the stage with a flick of his conducting baton, which glowed!

The setlist was a well-curated mix of fan favorites and deeper cuts, balancing high-energy anthems with more introspective moments. "For Elise" had the crowd (and me) singing every word, while "Get It at Home" brought a sultry groove that had the whole venue swaying. During "Sisters" you could feel so much joy and nostalgia in the crowd, many fans were quick to turn and sing with their sister or call them on the phone. (I was lucky enough to be in attendance with mine, we joyfully danced the night away!)

One of the standout moments of the night was "Hold My Place in Heaven", with Jackson’s vocals soaring over the audience’s harmonized chorus while wearing feathered angel wings. The momentum kept rolling with "Move" which is exactly what fans did, the venue quickly ignited into dance.

The crowd settled and swayed to the more intimate ambiance of "Fine Wine" and "Steady Hand" before the band wrapped up the main set with the infectious "Cold Cold Man".

After a brief exit, the band returned for the encore, A/J Jackson entering from a surprise spot to the left of the stage, but this night, the audience had a surprise of their own. A sea of blue-tinted lights filled the room—fans illuminated the venue with different shades of blue cutouts, covering their phone flashlights to create a mesmerizing, atmospheric, oceanic glow, absolutely perfect for "A Bluer Blue". The moment was pure magic, visibly moving the band as they soaked it all in and delivered a stunning heartfelt performance.

The night closed with "Sweet Talk", "Van Horn", and, of course, concluded with "My Type", which from the moment the saxophone note played, turned the House of Blues into a full-fledged dance party. The crowd jumped, sang, and celebrated in pure Saint Motel fashion, leaving the venue buzzing with exhilaration.

In Conclusion:

Saint Motel has always been known for their ability to turn a concert into a cinematic experience, and their "Symphony in the Sky" stop in Dallas was no exception. With flawless musicianship, high-energy performances, and an engaged crowd that brought their own creative flair, this show was a testament to the band’s enduring charm and showmanship. If this tour is coming to your city, don’t miss it—you’re in for an unforgettable night.