Aries’ GLASS JAW Tour Shatters New York City
Aries (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
Hailey House Imnida got to experience Aries touch down in New York City for another unforgettable show. Somehow, he brings an incredible amount of power every single time - and the fans match that energy just as fiercely. From an honest perspective, accompanied by photos from HHI photographer Sydney Wright, let’s dive into an amazing night.
Aries is an LA-based singer, producer, and multifaceted creative visionary. As a kid, he taught himself music production by studying his favorite artists and learning through YouTube tutorials. Over time, he began uploading his own videos, breaking down and dissecting beats from artists he admired before eventually crafting a sound entirely his own.
Since then, Aries has released three self-produced albums, channeling his vibrant imagination and storytelling into every song, music video, and piece of merchandise. He operates with a small but powerful team, releasing everything under his independent label, WUNDERWORLD - which also extends into his own music festival of the same name. Aries is the epitome of a multimedia creative; every detail, from visuals to live production, feels intentional and unmistakably part of his world.
Following a gradual rollout of singles leading up to his third album, Aries released GLASS JAW, a 12-track project that highlights both his growth and refined sound. It’s his most personal body of work yet - reflecting on his upbringing, creative evolution, past versions of himself, and the space he occupies today. While the album marks a shift from his earlier style, it remains authentically Aries. There’s a noticeable shedding of persona here, revealing something more vulnerable and human beneath the surface.
The GLASS JAW Tour launched in February and is set to span North America, Europe, and Australia. At the time of writing, Aries & team has completed about half of the North America Tour.
The New York stop took place at the iconic Irving Plaza, a mid-sized venue nestled in Union Square. From the entrance to the merch table and across every level of the space, the room was completely packed. Fans proudly wore merch from GLASS JAW, while others sported Aries pieces from years past - some pristine, some clearly well-loved. It was a visual timeline of his growth, all gathered in one room.
Fans (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
The show opened with Zack Villere, a talented artist backed by a powerhouse band featuring Jonathan Paik on keys and Alfredo Colón on electronic saxophone. Honestly, I don’t even know how to fully describe the sound they created - it lived somewhere between mesmerizing, funky, and a full-on auditory sensory experience I probably should’ve paid way more money to witness.
I was completely captivated - not in an ironic way, but genuinely enchanted by the pure talent radiating from the stage. I had never seen an electronic saxophone before, and judging by the gasps and whispered debates happening throughout the crowd, most of the audience hadn’t either. It became its own quiet subplot of the night.
Zack seamlessly shifted between guitar, vocals, and live looping, working magic on a launchpad with the kind of ease that makes you wonder how one person can manage it all. Meanwhile, Jonathan played two keyboards at once, crafting parts that didn’t just support the songs but formed the very backbone of them - serving as both rhythmic drive and melodic anchor. The set was immersive, layered, and undeniably fascinating, and I need a whole album of the three of them, just jamming out.
Zack Villere (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
After Zack’s set, a short intermission gave attendees time to grab merch and shift into position for the main event. The covered stage props and sets were revealed, showing steep arches, cracked mirrors and a couple stations for music equipment, preparing for the show. Though the fanbase skews on the younger side (mostly guys in their twenties), Aries shows are known for their intensity. From mosh pits and crowdsurfing to full-volume singalongs, waving arms, and relentless cheers, the energy never falters.
Even before the lights dimmed, you could feel it building. Looking out into the crowd, groups were already clustering together, bracing themselves. One particular circle forming near the middle looked especially determined - like they had collectively decided to become the energy core of the show.
It was almost funny to observe how dramatically the crowd shifted from beginning to end; no one remained in the same spot they started in. Despite the constant movement, volume, and inevitable crashing into one another, there was a strong sense of care woven throughout it all. Fans checked in on each other, and made sure everyone stayed safe and hydrated. It was chaotic - but it was very considerate chaos.
Aries (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
Aries opened the show with a slow-burning intro. Lights flickered on as a voice narrated a story about putting aside pain and proving oneself to “them.” The audience? The industry? It was left intentionally ambiguous. A recorded loop of Aries reciting “glass jaw, glass jaw” echoed through the venue, slightly eerie against the cinematic score swelling beneath it.
As the lights dimmed, a golden glow poured through a doorway at the back of the stage - then suddenly snapped bright again. Without hesitation, Aries launched into his song “IN THE FLESH,” and the crowd immediately tried to out-sing him. His mic was unmistakably on - raw, powerful, and controlled.
There’s something special about watching a self-produced artist perform; over time, you can hear how intentionally the instrumentals are built to complement their own voice. That experience was evident in everything - his stage presence, the strength of his vocals, and the clarity of the tracks behind him. I’ve had the chance to see him live in 2021 and 2022 as well, and the jump from then to now is INSANE - Aries performs like a seasoned professional, yet there’s still something rare and personal about it. A true gem in modern music.
Aries (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
The setlist centered around GLASS JAW, but Aries made sure to sprinkle in fan favorites from his previous two albums - plus a few surprises. One standout was his newest release, “TABLOID TALK” featuring underscores. While underscores wasn’t in the building that night, Aries delivered the track effortlessly. Even though the song only dropped about a month ago after being teased for some time, the crowd screamed every word like it had been on repeat for years.
Then came one of the most unexpected moments of the night.
Aries has a track with fellow artist brakence, who previously opened for him on tour in 2022. Neither artist frequently features on other musicians’ songs, and with brakence having been on hiatus, last year’s release of “SLEEPWALKER” featuring brakence sent fans into a frenzy online. So when the opening notes of the song began at Irving Plaza, the energy in the room immediately shifted.
But Aries had other plans.
Instead of bringing out the real brakence, he introduced an eerily convincing lookalike - quickly dubbed “fakence” by fans - who mimicked brakence’s appearance, posture, and signature dancing almost perfectly. He wasn’t actually singing, but for a brief moment, the crowd genuinely questioned whether it was the real thing or an elaborate stunt. The confusion turned into collective laughter as everyone caught on.
It was chaotic, clever, and completely on-brand - a moment that had both the room and the internet cracking up long after the show ended.
fakence (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
Though Aries performed solo for most of the night, his presence felt anything but small. He truly commanded the stage in a way that unified the entire room. Throughout the set, he moved seamlessly between playing samples from his setup, working a launchpad, and picking up the guitar - keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners fully engaged.
In one particularly emotional moment, he performed a cover of “How to Save a Life” by The Fray. Somehow, his voice made the song feel even more heart-wrenching than it already is. Phone flashlights lit up across the venue as fans sang along, some with arms wrapped around each other dramatically.
It was a beautiful example of Aries stepping outside his scene while still remaining entirely himself. By reaching into a song many of us grew up with, he tapped into something deeply nostalgic - reminding us how music can evolve with us. Songs we once sang without thinking can suddenly hit differently when we hear them through a new voice, in a new moment, understanding the lyrics in a way we maybe couldn’t before.
Aries (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
Remember that group in the crowd preparing to carry the show’s energy? Yeah… they were ready. From the first song to the last, that section of the venue kept a continuous mosh pit going. No matter the tempo or mood, they circled each other, laughing, screaming lyrics face-to-face, filming goofy videos, and throwing their hands up in celebration. Their energy was contagious, rippling outward through the crowd - and even back to Aries himself. As fans occasionally rose above the audience to crowdsurf, he waved at them with a grin, while security kept a careful eye to make sure everyone stayed safe.
As the show neared its end, Aries closed with some of his older hits, much to the crowd’s delight. But instead of staying planted onstage, he stepped down to meet fans at the barricade - then kept going. Within moments, he had fully immersed himself in the crowd, moving through it with practiced ease. You could see the joy and gratitude on his face as he sang alongside the very people who’ve supported him for years.
Aries (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
He weaved through the entire venue, occasionally stopping to jump into the chaos, even falling to the floor at one point - still singing into the mic as fans laughed around him. He posed for quick selfies, high-fived hands reaching out, and eventually made his way to the back of the room, climbing onto the barricade near the lighting booth. From there, he leaned into the sea of fans, embracing them, reaching back as they reached for him.
It felt like watching a painting unfold in real time - dozens of hands stretching toward one person, and that person stretching right back.
And just like that, the show was over.
It was such a fun night. I didn’t jump into the pit myself, but I still left with a full heart - singing songs I’ve loved for years, meeting new faces, and witnessing a show that felt like a true moment. The kind that lingers long after the lights come up.
Thank you, Aries, for another unforgettable performance. New York was honored to have you - and we’re already counting down until your return. ♥️
Aries (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
Special thanks to Aries, MidniteCult & the Aries team
Photos by Sydney Wright on behalf of Hailey House Imnida
Written by Sydney Wright (SYDNETH)