Ink 19’s Jen Cray trades her low expectations for staunch admiration when she experiences the charm of Coldplay firsthand. Almost as good as U2?

It takes some serious skills to make moody, indie rock sound new and fresh, but Low Vs. Diamond does just that. Jen Cray was wooed by their swagger and elegance at a recent Orlando date.

U.K. act Rumble Strips may have brought the rain, but their neo-ska tunes were all sunshine and big puffy “Clouds.” S D Green slogged through the downpour to catch a glimpse of the surprising source for Charlie Waller’s big, big voice.

As part of a pseudo-after-party for Gainesville, Florida’s punk rock weekend (The Fest), Polar Bear Club attempts to make new punk sound classic. Jen Cray is entertained, though not entirely convinced.

Jen Cray is thoroughly rocked by a triple bill of Rise Against, Thrice, and Alkaline Trio. All killer, no filler? The point can be argued…

What’s so great about The Social? Just ask Jen Cray, who gets all comfy with Chuck Ragan , Ben Nichols , Tim Barry , and Austin Lucas , The Revival Tour, everyone. Jen’s got love.

Jen Cray hoofs it to Orlando’s HOB, where she gets an amped-up dose of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and sticks around for a satisfying Against Me! set.

Bloody, funny, and LOUD, Gwar returns to the stage with openers Kingdom of Sorrow and Toxic Holocaust. Carl F Gauze dodges a giant Chekhovian penis to come face-to-face with Satan at Orlando’s Club Firestone.

Jen Cray is charmed by the BYOB atmosphere as well as the porta-potties at an Orlando Gatorface show.

Jen Cray shrugs off another day’s responsibilities, dodging tossed beers and fake blood to sidle up to The Queers at The Social (duh, where else)?

Jen Cray catches Circa Survive frontman Anthony Green’s intimate Orlando show, where only tentative steps are taken away from his signature crowd-pleasing sound.

Jen Cray is bewitched by the subtle dramatics of Alabama’s Wild Sweet Orange.

Totimoshi have their own unique take on heavy music, discovers Jen Cray , but they’re having trouble finding an audience for it.

Valient Thorr is on a mission to save the planet through the power of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Jen Cray witnessed their latest victory on the battle fields of Orlando.

A Tilly & the Wall show is the next best thing to your best friend’s seventh birthday party. Jen Cray dons a party hat to join a few hundred other fans in Orlando.

A recent Alkaline Trio show at Orlando’s House of Blues revitalized a stale summer of live shows for Jen Cray.

Jen Cray gets a peek at Ian Farnesi’s real, live blood during The Frantic’s Orlando debut.

Rooney found a whole new audience after opening up for The Jonas Brothers on their sold-out arena tour last year. Jen Cray found herself surrounded by pre-teen girls at the band’s recent Orlando gig.

Punk rock meets Mickey Mouse as Rancid storms the Magic Kingdom’s House of Blues. Jen Cray squeezes into the sold-out crowd.

After fifteen years, Modest Mouse is at the top of the game. Jen Cray was one of many who felt their majesty at a recent Orlando concert.