Mirador Commands Raleigh: A Cinematic Rock Experience
MIRADOR | LINCOLN THEATRE | RALEIGH, NC
SEPTEMBER 25th, 20225
Photographed by Emily Sluss / @emilyslussphoto
Mirador’s first headlining tour feels less like a band testing the waters and more like a force already in full stride. On Monday night, September 25th at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC, the four-piece delivered a performance that was cinematic, explosive, and communal—a show that blurred the line between concert and shared myth.
Formed in 2023, Mirador brings together guitarist Jake Kiszka of Grammy-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet and British singer-songwriter Chris Turpin, one-half of the duo Ida Mae. Rounding out the lineup are drummer Mikey Sorbello and bassist Nick Pini. Though their self-titled debut album only dropped on September 23, anticipation had been building for more than a year thanks to live performances of unreleased songs. The project is already turning heads for its fusion of heavy rock, folk-blues storytelling, and theatrical, myth-driven themes. This tour, their first under the Mirador name, celebrates the debut’s release.
From the moment they stepped on stage, Mirador set a cinematic tone. Sweeping guitar lines, a pulsing low end, and vocals that shifted from delicate to commanding created music that felt less like a setlist and more like a story unfolding. Their sound was massive yet precise: riffs cut sharp, vocals soared without drowning subtler details, and the rhythm section rolled forward like thunder. The lighting design elevated everything, moving from moody blues to sudden bursts of crimson to match each song’s emotional weight.
Fans were clearly part of the show from the start. Many went all out, dressing in outfits that matched the band’s dark, theatrical vibe—leather jackets, flowing scarves, layers of silk and lace, and pirate-inspired accessories were everywhere. The crowd’s energy and aesthetic mirrored the stage, creating a sense that everyone in the room was living inside the world Mirador had crafted for the night.
When they launched into their first singles, “Feels Like Gold” and “Fortune’s Fate,” the crowd erupted. Fans sang every word back as if these songs had been around for years. Even the deeper album cuts were sung back word-for-word, which was quite remarkable considering the album had been out for only two days. It felt less like people were hearing these songs for the first time and more like they’d been waiting for them. The payoff after a year of fans hearing unreleased tracks teased live.
Two of the night’s heaviest hitters, “Blood and Custard” and “Raider,” sent the front rows into a frenzy. The energy never dipped, especially during Mikey Sorbello’s drum solo. He started slowly, drawing out each beat, then shifted into a roaring crescendo. At one point, he dragged his fingers across the drumheads, creating eerie vibrations that added unexpected texture before launching into a thunderous final build that had the crowd on its feet.
Midway through the set, the band surprised fans with a brief cover of The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.” The playful nod broke up the intensity and earned an enthusiastic reaction, adding another layer of unpredictability to the night.
Not all was fire and fury, though. The haunting duet “Must I Go Bound” slowed the night’s pace, spotlighting the stunning blend of Jake and Chris’s voices. The stripped-down performance gave the crowd one of its most intimate and emotional moments, showing the band’s ability to pivot between power and vulnerability.
One of the night’s most powerful moments came during “Ten Thousand More to Run.” Mid-song, the band stopped playing and let the audience take over. The crowd chanted “na na na na na na na” in unison, stomping the beat themselves until the theatre shook. It felt like more than a song—it became a communal anthem, binding the audience and band together.
The encore opened with a flourish of drama: each member tossed red roses into the crowd, a small but memorable gesture that captured both the band’s theatricality and their connection with the audience. Chris left the stage to lean into the barricade, connecting face-to-face with fans, while he and Jake traded playful guitar licks, smiling back at each other like they couldn’t believe their own momentum. By the finale, guitar picks, drumsticks, and setlists were flying into the crowd, fueling one last burst of excitement as fans were scrambling for keepsakes from an unforgettable night.
What makes Mirador stand out is that it doesn’t feel like a side project or a one-off collaboration. It feels like the beginning of something larger. Their dark- almost pirate-like aesthetic, their myth-heavy songwriting, and their willingness to fuse rock, folk, blues, and their cinematic, larger-than-life sound point to a band carving out their own lane in a crowded scene. The Raleigh date was just the second day of their album’s life, but the response made it clear: Mirador has already struck gold.
Graphic by Paige Firsten
Images by Emily Sluss
Setlist:
Heels of the Hunt
Raider
Feels Like Gold
Roving Blade / Synopated Symphony
Fortune’s Fate
Fred McDowell / Ten Thousand More to Ride
Must I Go Bound
Blood and Custard
Ashes to Earth
Skyway Drifter
Keep up with Mirador
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