Singer-songwriter Peter McPoland has been putting his personal influence into the music world long before people knew his name. His most well-known track, “Digital Silence,” took over the internet in early 2023 which helped catapult McPoland into the indie spotlight. Even before his public debut five years prior, McPoland was playing music with his high school friends in a group they called West End. Coincidentally, West End opened McPoland’s Buddy Tour making his current run across the United States a Peter McPoland double feature. 

West End took the stage flooded with red lights to share a more rock side to McPoland’s usual discography. In seeing the group play together, you were transported to their most nostalgic times when music was just something they did as a hobby, connecting them with one another. After a quick intermission, McPoland returned with a ring light and camera strapped to his head to give the audience a performance of indie influence, high energy, and a lot of humor. While the Buddy Tour isn’t following a specific release of McPoland’s, he spent his time on stage sharing fan favorites, songs from his debut album, Piggy, and even an unreleased track from his upcoming EP, Friend, out December 6; “Gruhguhguh.” 

After seeing McPoland perform under his two different personas, this career musician proves that you can do what you love for a living. His charisma, interaction with fans, and love of music shines brighter than the glittering stars that surround his set as he plays. The 2024 Buddy Tour ends December 7 in Tampa, Florida, just after the release of Friend. With new music being released and more promised for 2025, it’s safe to say that Peter McPoland will be making his rounds again very soon. 

Article and Photo Gallery by Isabel Dowell