This is Tour Diary, where artists give us a behind-the-scenes look at life on the road. Over the past few years, VIAL have kept busy, releasing their sophomore album, burnout, and rerecording tracks from their debut, Grow Up, for an LP appropriately called Grow the Fuck Up. The pace made them one of our rising artists to watch in 2024, delighting in their ability to speak their minds and cut straight to the heart, whether through anthems that rail against misogyny, call out toxic people, or celebrate queerness. Back in March, the Minneapolis punk trio returned with HELLHOUND, filled with the kind of hooky rippers that they’ve been perfecting since meeting each other on Tinder — ones that empower their listeners to take up more room and learn about their communities. This is a band that back up what they speak into the world, providing resources for LGBTQ+ recovery centers, abortion rights, and housing needs. That advocacy has always grounded their music, which they recently took on the road, beginning at their annual Pissfest in their hometown, swinging through the West Coast, and ending in Cleveland.
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Below, VIAL took us through their biggest headlining tour yet — from gender-bending proposals onstage to a stay at Yellowstone Park that set the tone for the whole run. And if you missed these dates, the band will play Summerfest and Camp Punksylvania later this month.
Wide shot of our third annual Pissfest at Varsity Theater in Minneapolis! Crowd surfers delight. / Katy Kelly
VIAL’s big ol’ merch spread. Every inch of space utilized to its fullest potential.
Close-up shot of our son and fourth member, Beelzebub, the long Furby we birthed that wraps around our mic stand every show. / Katy Kelly
Homemade cupcakes from the folks at Varsity! Extreme yum moment.
Katy Kelly
First night of tour we got to stay in Yellowstone! So beautiful, but those roads were treacherous in our big van.
VIAL’s first-ever onstage proposal! (He said yes.)
Local San Diego coffee shop let us play the cup song with our keys on their table.
Marquee moment!
