On July 20, Kevian Kraemer brought “only if it matters (on tour)” to Minneapolis’s 7th St Entry. The 250 capacity venue allowed Kraemer and his band’s rockstar energy to shine while maintaining the intimacies of a small venue. As one of the smallest stops along this tour, the artist’s first headline in Minnesota served as an interim between bigger growth to come and understated stardom. 

Jackson Marshall, the opener, served as a fitting precursor to the main act, bringing the crowd’s energy up to the top. By the time Kraemer took the stage, the excitement was tangible. Before walking out, Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat” played, amping up the crowd into a singalong. Kraemer and crew walked on the stage with an air of nonchalance while the interlude intro of his track, “how can you tell?” played, building the tension until he burst into song, setting the show in motion. From that moment on, the show captivated the entire audience. 

Following his first song, Kraemer switched to an acoustic guitar for a more intimate performance of “down under.” The magnetic atmosphere of the show was emphasized by Kraemer’s natural charisma on stage, built up over live performances during high school. In a break between songs, he tells the audience, “I’m just so happy that we’re all here to experience it [his new EP] live,” bringing a humble, down-to-earth feel to the rockstar-esque performance. 

During “wannabe” and “Don’t You Dare,” Kraemer ditched the guitars altogether, opting to amble across the stage, mic in hand, holding it out to the crowd at various points in the both songs. The crowd engagement makes for a unique show in every city. He also implemented a successful call and response during the performance of an unreleased song “dancing by yourself,” which the audience nailed. 

While most of the show was refreshingly energizing, Kraemer slowed it down about halfway through, saying “thank you” to anyone who knew the next song before bringing the acoustic guitar back for “June is Getting Old.” Midway through the song, the crowd brought out their phone flashlights, illuminating the back of the dark room. “Neptune” immediately followed, with a slow build and intense breakdown.

In an interview with Pleaser Magazine, Kraemer mentioned how only if it matters was built to be performed live, and the show proved just that. During the second half of the show, Kramer interspersed fan favorites with dynamic renditions of his new songs, including “i just get worse.” Kraemer and his band never stop moving while on stage, and the band’s energy is just as important to his show as his own. Kraemer closed out the show with the opening track of his EP, “does it still mean something?,” and the chanty chorus laced with yearning was a perfect close to the night. 

View the full gallery here. Written and photographed by Maria Stellmach.