Review: Islander Headlines Memorable Night at Radio Room

Islander returned to Greenville on August 2 for a night of heavy music at Radio Room, joined by Wiltwither, Chrrry Vanilla, and Grave Hunter. While the venue wasn’t packed when doors opened, it steadily filled throughout the evening as fans gathered for one of the summer’s strongest local lineups.

Grave Hunter opened the show with an energetic hardcore set, noting it was their first time playing Radio Room. Chrrry Vanilla followed with an intense hardcore punk performance and shared that it would be their final show in South Carolina. Greenville’s own Wiltwither kept the momentum going with a crushing metalcore set backed by a strong hometown crowd.

It was also encouraging to see members of HeartSupport in attendance, continuing their mission of supporting mental health within the heavy music community. Learn more about their work at https://www.heartsupport.com/.

By the time Islander took the stage, the room was buzzing. Frontman Mikey Carvajal, sporting his signature face paint, immediately connected with the audience. Fan favorites like “Coconut Dracula” had the crowd singing every word, while the band’s newest single, “Dead Youth,” sparked one of the biggest reactions of the night.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when Mikey shared a story about meeting two kids at a local restaurant who were attending their first Islander concert. During the set, he invited them onstage and helped them experience their first stage dive and crowd surf, creating a memory they’ll never forget. It’s another example of why Islander has built such a loyal following. The band genuinely cares about its fans, and that connection is evident at every show.

It was also great catching up with longtime friends Joshua Gilmore, Jody Jennings, Isaac Phillips, and Jacob Mullikin, who have shared many Islander concerts with me over the years. I also had the privilege of working alongside Trenton Worsham and Josh Lowe for SoundLink Magazine to film Islander’s set.

Radio Room once again proved to be a great venue for heavy music, and every band delivered a memorable performance. Be sure to watch the full live performance and our exclusive interview with Islander on SoundLinkTV.