TheBlack Queen
Mercury Music Lounge
Cleveland OH
May 29+, 2026
Drew Latshaw
There are some shows you cover because you have an assignment. There are some shows you cover because you enjoy the band. Then there are shows like The Black Queen at Mercury Music Lounge on May 29th that remind you why live music matters in the first place.
Walking into Mercury that evening, there was already a different energy in the room. It wasn’t the usual Friday night crowd looking for a party. It felt like a gathering of people who knew they were about to witness something special.
The night began with Trace Amount and Club Drugs, two acts that perfectly set the tone for what was to come. Both performances brought an atmospheric, industrial edge that gradually pulled the audience deeper into the experience. By the time the stage was being prepared for The Black Queen, the crowd was fully invested.
One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Mercury Music Lounge is its ability to make every show feel personal. There are no giant barriers separating the artists from the audience. You’re close enough to see expressions, subtle interactions between band members, and those fleeting moments that often get lost in larger venues. For a band like The Black Queen, that intimacy elevated the entire performance.
When the lights dimmed and the band took the stage, the room erupted. The Black Queen’s music has always existed in a space between genres. Elements of synthwave, industrial, alternative rock, electronic music, and dark pop all collide to create something uniquely their own. Hearing those layers come alive in a venue this size was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Greg Puciato commanded the room from the moment he stepped on stage. Whether he was delivering soaring melodies or emotionally charged passages, his presence was impossible to ignore. There are performers who simply sing songs, and then there are performers who pull an audience into every word. Puciato firmly belongs in the latter category.
The evening carried additional significance with the appearance of the band’s original drummer, who had not performed in Cleveland in more than a decade. For longtime fans, this wasn’t just another stop on a tour. It felt like a reunion, a homecoming of sorts, and the audience responded accordingly. You could see smiles spreading through the crowd as people realized they were witnessing something they might never see again.
Adding another layer of prestige to the lineup was bassist Danny Lohner, known worldwide for his work with Nine Inch Nails. Watching Cortini perform in a room the size of Mercury Music Lounge felt almost surreal. Musicians of his caliber often find themselves on arena stages in front of tens of thousands of people. Yet here he was, only a few feet away from fans, helping construct the dense sonic landscapes that make The Black Queen so captivating live.
From a photographer’s perspective, this show was a dream. The lighting design perfectly complemented the band’s aesthetic without overwhelming it. Deep colors, dramatic shadows, and carefully timed bursts of illumination created countless opportunities to capture images that felt every bit as emotional as the music itself. Every glance, every movement, every interaction seemed to tell part of the story unfolding on stage.
What impressed me most, however, was the audience. In an age where too many concertgoers spend entire shows staring at their phones, the crowd at Mercury was engaged. People were singing along, swaying to the music, sharing moments with friends, and simply allowing themselves to be present. There was a genuine connection between the band and the audience that could be felt throughout the venue.
As the set progressed, The Black Queen demonstrated exactly why they have developed such a dedicated following. Their music isn’t designed for passive listening. It demands your attention. It asks you to feel something. On this night, the crowd happily accepted that invitation.
When the final notes rang out and the house lights eventually came back on, nobody seemed eager to leave. Conversations immediately broke out among fans reliving favorite moments from the set, discussing songs, and reflecting on what they had just witnessed.
That’s usually the sign of a truly memorable performance. People don’t rush for the exits. They linger.
On May 29th, The Black Queen didn’t simply play a concert at Mercury Music Lounge. They created an experience. Between the intimate setting, the return of their original drummer to a Cleveland stage after more than ten years, the performance that was equal parts emotional and immersive, it was the kind of evening that reminds us why live music continues to matter.
Some shows are entertaining.
Some shows are memorable.
This one was unforgettable.
