Atmosphere - Traveling Forever Tour
by Melanie Williamson | October 18th, 2024
All images are from Atmosphere’s - Traveling Forever Tour in Saxapahaw, NC on 10/18/24.
Photo by Melanie Williamson | @melmaemedia
Hip-Hop duo Atmosphere brought their ‘Traveling Forever’ tour to Saxapahaw, NC this past week. I’ll be honest, this area of North Carolina doesn’t see many shows, especially ones this good. I’ve been a fan of Atmosphere for over 20 years and I’ve seen them once before, so I knew I was in for an amazing night.
Formed in 1996, Slug (Sean Daley) and Ant (Anthony Davis) formed Atmosphere along with former member Spawn. Slug performs the rapping duties of the group while Ant acts as the DJ and Producer. One fun fact about the duo is that Slug was actually the DJ prior to Ant joining. It’s hard to imagine an Atmosphere without Slug’s signature rap skills! A second fun fact is that they once drove all the way to Dallas from Minneapolis for a show that only promised $250. Their dedication and passion for their craft have served them well in this industry, which undoubtedly includes their heavy touring.
Photo by Melanie Williamson | @melmaemedia
The duo boasts a discography of thirteen studio albums and ten extended plays, which include hits like, “Trying to Find a Balance,” “GodLovesUgly,” “Pour Me Another,” and “Sunshine.” I still remember the first time I heard “Trying to Find a Balance,” and was an immediate fan. That was my first dive into the world of underground hip-hop/rap, which turned out to be quite a rabbit hole.
While they may not have a star on the Walk of Fame just yet, they do have a star on the ground outside of the Minneapolis club First Avenue. This is quite an honor in Minneapolis, reserved for those who play sold-out shows at the nightclub or who have otherwise contributed significantly to the culture there.
Anyway, back to 2024 here, with Atmosphere at the iconic Haw River Ballroom. Slug appeared on stage to a positively deafening applause, jumping right into “In Her Music Box”. Personal highlights of the evening included “Puppets”, chatting about how grief brings us together after “Yesterday”, and later closing out with “Trying to Find a Balance.” The setlist was full of tracks spanning their entire discography and there was truly something for everyone. The remaining tour dates can be found at AtmosphereSucks.com.
