THOUSAND BELOW
Thousand Below, Motorco Music Hall, Durham, NC 9/3/25.
This past Wednesday wasn’t just another night in Durham, NC. While most people were spending their evening driving home from work, I was waiting for my favorite band to take the stage. Thousand Below, the post-hardcore powerhouse whose logo I proudly wear tattooed on my arm, had brought their ‘Buried in Jade’ tour to Motorco Music Hall. Supporting them were Dreamwake, True North, and Aviana, but, no offense — we all know why we’re here.
Formed in 2016 in San Diego, Thousand Below released their debut album, The Love You Let Too Close, shortly thereafter. Some bands don’t always hit the mark on their first release, but Thousand Below literally hit the ground running. Their sound instantly resonated with listeners who craved both heaviness and emotional intensity. By the time Hell Finds You Everywhere arrived in 2021, Thousand Below had proven their versatility with songs that hit just as hard stripped down. Due to their relatability, combined with relentless touring and consistently strong releases, they’ve built up an extremely loyal following — including myself. And on this beautiful Summer evening in Durham, that connection was undeniable.
Thousand Below — made up of vocalist James DeBerg, guitarist Josh Thomas, bassist Josh Billimoria, and drummer Max Santoro — took the stage to much anticipation from the amped-up crowd. They made one thing very clear from the second that they burst into “Kerosene”: they were here to have a good time.
Their set was a perfect blend of songs spanning their discography. Though focusing mostly on their latest album, Buried in Jade, they made sure to include fan favorites like “The Love You Let Too Close” and “Sabotage.” Their set was the perfect contrast of crushing breakdowns and haunting melodies, and the band’s chemistry with each other did not go unnoticed.
But what truly made their performance unforgettable was the way that they fed off of the excitement of the crowd. Despite an incredible roster of openers who successfully amped up the audience (including a “Wall of Death” from Aviana, perhaps a first for this small venue), the excitement from the audience, many wearing Thousand Below merch, made it clear that most had come just to see them. Fans shouted back every word, sometimes seeming louder than DeBerg himself, causing the band to play with even more intensity.
As the crowd slowly filed out of Motorco, I was reminded once again why this band means so much to me. Every show feels like the perfect blend of heaviness and catharsis, and the experience remains with you long after the final notes fade. If you haven’t caught them live yet somehow, there’s still time to see them on the remainder of the ‘Buried in Jade’ tour! I’m sure they’ll be selling out arenas in no time, so I highly suggest checking them out sooner than later while they’re still in more intimate venues!
Shot and Written by Melanie Mae Williamson
