When Foxy Shazam takes any stage, the atmosphere shifts from a standard rock show to something resembling a manic religious revival led by a circus ringmaster, and with Eric Nally leading the charge this past Sunday, March 1, at Boston’s Brighton Music Hall, they did just that. On their current 2026 tour supporting the tenth studio album, Box of Magic, the Cincinnati sextet remains one of the most unpredictable and electrifying forces in live music. The tour, which finds them both headlining intimate clubs and supporting Hail the Sun, is a masterclass in maximalist glam rock that feels simultaneously nostalgic and dangerously fresh.
The band opened their set with the soaring, theatrical energy of “It’s Hair Smelled Like Bonfire”, immediately setting a frantic pace that never let up. Frontman Eric Nally, a whirlwind of high-waisted trousers and gymnastic precision, commanded the room with his signature blend of operatic vocals and bewildering stage antics. Between somersaults and his famous cigarette-eating routine during “Burn,” Nally proved that he hasn’t lost a step of his vocal range or his ability to make every person in the front row and beyond feel both seen and slightly overwhelmed – in a good way.
The new material from Box of Magic integrated seamlessly into a setlist heavy on “greatest hits.” The lead single “Magic” was a clear standout, its disco-tinged swagger providing a groovier counterpoint to the band’s usual chaotic punk-piano energy. Live, the song’s production felt meatier than the record, with Sky White’s keys and the thundering bass lines of Trigger Warning turning the venue into a glitter-soaked dance floor.
Early highlights from the set included “Holy Touch”, “Temple”, and the anthem “Wanna-Be Angel”, which showcased the band’s tighter, more polished sound. While some long-time fans have noted that Box of Magic leans more toward palatable rock than the abrasive weirdness of their earlier work, any fears of the band mellowing out were quelled the moment Sky White hoisted his keyboard above his head, launching it on top of the crowd and somehow playing it while balanced on the barricade’s rail.
The middle of the set featured a breathless run of “Killin’ It,” “Cherries,” and “Love Like This.” Later in the set, the crowd’s response to “Oh Lord” was particularly deafening, with the entire room providing backup vocals for the iconic chorus. The addition of touring vocalists and brass elements on this run has given these older tracks a wall-of-sound depth that feels closer to a Queen-level stadium performance than a club gig.
The pacing of the show was intentional, moving from the more vulnerable moments of “Burn” to the aggressive, brassy chaos of “Ghost Animals” and “The Rocketeer.” The chemistry between Nally and both horn player Alex Nauth and the guitarist Devin Williams proved to be the band’s engine, allowing for Nally’s flamboyant flights of fancy. It is this balance of technical proficiency and pure, unadulterated fringe performance art that lets Boston fly their freak flag while keeping the audience on their toes, never knowing if the next moment will bring a soulful ballad or a trumpet player losing half his wardrobe.
By the time the band closed with a frenetic rendition of “The Only Way to My Heart,” the room was a collective mess of sweat and smiles. Foxy Shazam has always operated on the philosophy that more is more, and the Box of Magic tour is no exception. They are a band that lives and breathes for the stage, transforming a Sunday night into a legendary event. If you have the chance to see them before they wrap up their spring dates in May, do not hesitate; there is quite literally nothing else like it in rock and roll today.
