19 year old artist Shane, better known as Sombr, made his way to Deep Ellum for an unforgettable night on his North American tour.
Originally from New York City, artist Sombr built his career as a high schooler, channeling his emotions into his music making. He quickly rose to fame when his single “Caroline,” released in 2022 went viral on social media. Since then he has put out many more singles and an EP. This year he set out on his summer tour, and his Dallas show was truly memorable.
The evening began with opener Hana Eid who put on a beautiful set. Indie artist, Eid released her EP I Exist Because You Say So in February of this year and she shared many of her new songs with the crowd. Eid told the crowd how this was her first time touring and how she’s “lucky it’s been with this group of people.” Wrapping up her set she played “Austin Song.” Eid mentioned how this is the last track in the EP and “it’s one of [her] favorites to play.”
As the lights dimmed, the crowd prepared themselves. Phones were raised in anticipation, and fans began chanting his name as they waited for Sombr to take the stage. Before making his entrance, he decided to tease the audience, playfully sticking his hand in and out of the curtain, prompting enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
Sombr played a range of older and newer songs, but “Silhouette” was one to leave an impression. Fans used this moment in the set to hold up paper hearts, and as the song neared the end, Sombr told the audience “You guys are making me emotional.”
Emotions were high this night as the crowd came together, bonding over a shared love for music. Friends leaned a head on each other’s shoulder as they enjoyed the moment of seeing their favorite artist on stage. They shared a glance with each other when they realized what song was coming on next. Every little moment showed the impact Sombr’s music has on his fans.
The night was coming to an end and Sombr told the crowd “This is a special moment.” He said “I have a new song coming out today at midnight…in a couple hours. It’s called Perfume.” Even though the song had not been officially released yet, fans cheered and danced enthusiastically, displaying their anticipation for the upcoming track. Once the song was over, he quickly ran off stage, building the excitement for the last song.
His last song of the night was “Caroline,” but before playing the song he shared a bit of the backstory behind the track. “This is a song that changed my life,” he said. “I made this when I was 16 or 17 and I hated my life.” Reflecting on how he faced bullying for making music, he spoke on how he continued to release the song. Now, a few years down the road, he’s touring and performing in cities across America. Young and upcoming artists like Sombr continue to demonstrate their resilience and talent, serving as genuine inspirations to others. Shortly after the show a crowd formed outside the venue as they waited to meet Sombr. He took the time to take photos, sign autographs, and speak to his fans, giving them a night to remember.
I am a Dallas-based photographer who has an appreciation for both the arts and music! Besides photographing concerts, I also enjoy doing creative portraits and working in Photoshop. I spend my free time either playing the cello, guitar, or piano or collecting CDs and vinyls. I would say my top three favorite artists are Peter McPoland, The Beatles, and Harry Styles! I’m currently a senior in high school, but I plan to major in graphic design and one day turn concert photography into a career.
