Filipino-American artist Rocco brought in excitement to Atlanta’s Masquerade (Hell) on his Smoking Gun Tour, in support of his debut album Skin and Bone. Backed by his band, brother Rafayel on guitar and bass, Joe Cho on electric guitar, and Joshua Ehlke on drums, Rocco showcased his true star power with his range of music and addictive personality.
This marks Rocco’s third time performing in Atlanta. Earlier this year, he was back in Atlanta as a supporting act on Grentperez’s North American Tour, when Skin and Bone had yet to be released. Now, with a full body of work under his belt, Rocco returned to the city with something to prove, and he more than delivered.
Mixing indie, country, and rock influences, Rocco has crafted a sound that feels both familiar and fresh. Tracks from Skin and Bone carried equal parts emotion and edge, grounded by his warm and expressive vocals. The setlist also included older songs that came out before his debut such as “Clouds,” “Be Careful With My Heart,” and “Steal This Night,” with fans singing along to every single word.
Between songs, Rocco’s personality shined just as brightly as his music. His playful banter with both the audience and his bandmates gave the show a relaxed, almost familial vibe. The running joke of the night: the band’s repeated shouts of “I’m so ATL!” — drew plenty of laughs and cheers, as the crowd constantly chanted with Rocco and his bandmates.
There were several memorable moments such as when Rocco and his bandmates would make eye contact and spontaneously do a two-step routine as fans cheered in excitement, or even when Rocco introduced his bandmates with some funny background history allowing fans to really get to know everyone really well.
What made Rocco’s Atlanta show special wasn’t just the music, but it was the laughter, the energy, and the feeling that everyone in the room was part of his journey. It’s safe to say, this is only the start of something much bigger. Here’s to the next time Rocco’s back in Atlanta.
Keep up with Rocco: Instagram // Spotify // TikTok // Apple Music // Website
Check out photos from the Atlanta show down below:
