The Dirty Nil Winter Tour 2025 came to Houston, leaving White Oak Music Hall buzzing on Friday, March 7th. With a stacked lineup featuring MX Lonely, Grumpster, and headliners The Dirty Nil, the night was a masterclass in raw energy, genre-blending, and pure musical chaos.
MX Lonely kicked things off with a heavygaze sound straight out of Brooklyn. Fronted by the dynamic duo of Rae Haas (synth) and Jake Harms (guitar), with Gabe Garman on bass and Andy Rapp on drums. “Hello! F*ck yeah, fuck yeah! Super happy to see you. We are MX Lonely, we are from Brooklyn, New York, and we are on tour right now with The Dirty Nil and Grumpster,” Rae Haas shouted, and the crowd instantly vibed with their unapologetic energy.
MX Lonely’s set was a rollercoaster of emotions and sonic punches. Their use of half-tones and tempo shifts added a layer of unsettling beauty to their sound, while the raw, guttural yells drove home the angst and passion in their lyrics.
Next up, Grumpster brought Bay Area punk to the stage with a playful punch. Donnie Walsh (vocals/bass), Lalo Gonzalez Deetz (guitar), Alex Hernandez (guitar), and Noel Agtane (drums) made sure no one stood still for long. Kicking things off with “Wither,” Donnie set the tone: “What’s up, Houston, Texas? I feel a lot of freaks in the room. Come a little closer — we are Grumpster! I hope you enjoy this! We are here to let it all out tonight.”
And let it out they did. Grumpster’s infectious energy had the crowd barking (yes, barking) along with Donnie’s callouts, moshing to “Bottom Feeder” and clapping in rhythm to “Bran’s Motto.” They closed with “Waste,” where Donnie swapped his guitar for a trumpet, leaving the crowd both surprised and delighted.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for: The Dirty Nil. The Ontario trio of Luke Bentham (vocals/guitar), Sam Tomlinson (bass/backing vocals), and Kyle Fisher (drums) exploded onto the stage with “Doom Boy.”
“Houston! We do not have a problem! Come on, Houston, sing along with me now,” Bentham shouted, and the crowd roared back. The Dirty Nil’s set was a masterclass in high-octane punk rock, blending melodic yelling, intricate instrumentals, and undeniable chemistry. They even treated Houston to an unreleased track, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Band,” hinting at new music on the horizon.
Between bangers like “Nicer Guy” and “Hang Yer Moon,” Bentham shared stories and expressed their gratitude to those who came and made the night incredible, solidifying the band’s love for Houston. One heartwarming moment came when a young fan named Lily gifted Bentham a necklace mid-set.
As the night neared its end, The Dirty Nil left the stage after “Blunt Force Concussion,” only to be summoned back by chants for an encore. They closed with “Zombie Eyed,” cementing the night as one for the books.
Three bands, each with their own flavor of chaos, left White Oak Music Hall dripping with sweat and adrenaline. The Dirty Nil Winter Tour 2025 was a celebration of music’s raw power.
I am a creative based in Houston, Texas. I am a University of Houston Alumni working as a Marketing and Communications Specialist for a local agency. I enjoy discovering new music, regardless of genre, as music is the universal language. In my free time, I enjoy thrifting and discovering new stories waiting to be explored.
