Ax and the Hatchetmen @ Brighton Music Hall 11/18
Photography by Anna Gohman
Review by Annabel Friedman
On Tuesday, an energetic young crowd of indie-rock enthusiasts packed Brighton Music Hall to see Ax and the Hatchetmen on their “So Much To Tell You Tour.” Following the release of their first full-length album, “So Much to Tell You,” the band’s popularity has skyrocketed with every sold-out show and viral performance clip. With Boston only halfway through their tour, the group continues to gain traction, as fans line up hours before the concerts, hoping to get closer to their favorite artists.
Setting the bar high for the evening, Foxtide kicked off the night with an electrifying performance, playing some of their most popular songs, including “Tide,” “Already Gone,” and, a personal favorite, “She’s Not Yours.” Creating music within a similar genre as Ax and the Hatchetmen, the San Diego-based group seamlessly blends the ever-popular indie-alternative sound with a unique mix of garage rock, surf rock, and jazz. Foxtide’s catchy, California-esque sound gave the crowd an exciting taste of the performance to come as the venue filled, concert-goers jockeyed for the best view of the stage, and anticipation soared.
Following Foxtide’s set, Ax and the Hatchetmen took the stage, met by an ecstatic audience of screaming, adoring fans. Even before the first song was played, excitement heightened when lead singer/guitarist Axel Ellis revealed he was wearing a handmade jacket gifted to him by a fan before the show.
After this heart-throbbing reveal, the band kicked straight into their uptempo, high-spirited signature beats beginning with “Hotel Room.” Being their most popular song from their latest, actively promoted album, Ax and the Hatchetmen instantly enlivened the audience, giving them exactly what they came for and encouraging them to sing along. As the night continued, the band kept the crowd in anticipation for what was next, playing through a curated setlist of fast-paced tracks like “Where tf Did I Park My Car,” chiller songs like “Utah,” instrumental ballads punctuated by cheeky anecdotes, and even saxophone solos.
Formed in 2018, the Chicago-based band led by Axel Ellis comprises Sal Defilippis on guitar, Hunter Olshefke on bass, Nick Deputy on drums, Phil Pistone on trumpet, and Quinn Dolane on saxophone. Although the band together creates a memorable, attention-grabbing sound, a major contributor to the band’s current success is Axel Ellis’s recent role as a main character in the new Amazon Prime Video Series “The Runarounds.” The show creates a fictional narrative centered around the preexisting band, The Runarounds, which Ellis also actively contributes to, in addition to Ax and the Hatchetmen. Both bands are currently on tour, with Ax and the Hatchetmen running through mid-December 2025, while The Runarounds have just finished part of their 2025 tour and are scheduled to start the second leg of “The Minivan Tour” in January 2026. Fans of the TV series are becoming new fans of both musical groups, bringing an entirely new audience to Brighton Music Hall on Tuesday and creating a new level of excitement among the crowd.
Given that Ax and the Hatchetmen are now playing to a whole new audience dynamic, they did not disappoint. Throughout the show, there was never a dull moment, with constant audience engagement, energetic dancing on stage, and, especially notable, a special guest. The most memorable moment in the show had to be when Jesse Golliher, a bassist from the related show, The Runarounds, unexpectedly entered the stage following a cheeky little introduction from co-star Axel Ellis. Together, Golliher and Ellis sang an exhilarating cover of “Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees. As a widely popular song with a distinct sound that closely resembles that of Ax and the Hatchetmen, the cover was perfect for pumping up the enthusiastic crowd.
Capping off their high-energy performance, the band chose to end with a cover of “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest. This fun, uptempo track was adapted to Ellis’s signature raspy voice and the band’s indie/alternative sound, making the popular song into their own indie-esque, funky rendition. By the end of the concert, the mood was so high that fans simply refused to leave, shouting for more. Those lucky, devoted listeners who stayed a little later were rewarded as both bands of the night engaged with fans and took pictures after the show. This kind of dedication to their fans, old and new, is the key to Ax and the Hatchetmen’s rocketing success. On Tuesday, Ax and the Hatchetmen played at an intimate, mid-sized venue in Allston; however, based on their incredible performance and infectious energy, they are sure to return even bigger and better next time.
