Photo + Words: Kate Warby
Camden Assembly felt like a private celebration rather than a public show. With a capacity of around 400, the room was filled almost entirely with The Hara’s extended circle—long-time fans, friends, and familiar faces who have followed the band’s rise closely. There was an immediate sense that this night mattered.
The crowd arrived straight from work, dressed smart-casual and ready, as if no one wanted to miss a second. There was no easing into the night; the energy was already there when the band took the stage.
Early in the set, ‘Fire‘ played a key role in lifting the room exactly where the band wanted it. The track sharpened the focus of the crowd and set the tone ahead of midnight, when alumni and long-time collaborators were expected to appear. It felt intentional, like the band guiding the room toward a shared peak.
Mid-set, The Hara turned their attention to the future. After playing three new songs consecutively, they introduced ‘Intergalactic Sabotage‘, a track from their upcoming album The Fallout, due for release at midnight on January 23rd. Rather than simply performing it, the band took time to teach the song to the crowd. The moment was playful and disarmingly honest, especially when the drummer—acting as the band’s spokesperson—jokingly expressed disappointment as the audience immediately clapped out of time. It was a reminder that this was a room full of friends, not just spectators.
That drummer-led connection has been central to the band’s growth. During the writing of The Fallout, The Hara tested ‘Kill the System‘ live while supporting Ice Nine Kills across two shows, using those performances to shape the record in real time. That live-first mindset was evident throughout the set.
Momentum peaked when ‘Twist the Arrow‘, triggered the most explosive response of the night. The pit opened wide as fans moshed repeatedly, with crowd surfers moving through the room as the song pushed everything forward. It was the clearest release of the evening and a defining moment of the show.
The final song brought everything together. The band gave it their full intensity, treating it like a statement rather than a goodbye. The crowd responded in kind, fully aware that the album they had just heard teased all night was now less than two hours from release. The closing moments left everyone elevated, unified, and ready for what came next. When the final note rang out, it felt less like an ending and more like the start of The Fallout era.
Taped Magazine 