“Nine years and there’s nothing I would change…” is the iconic lyric that signaled the ending for the group, Hey Violet. Through the highs and lows and to the farthest corners they could reach, Hey Violet has left a lasting mark on the music industry with a successful final hurrah. As we say our “see you soon” to Casey Moreta, Nia Lovelis, and Rena Lovelis, let’s take a walk down memory lane.
1.) Opening for 5SOS twice and traveling internationally. (2014-2016)
Long-time fans might remember them as Cherri Bomb, their original band name, or from their breakthrough tour opening for 5 Seconds of Summer. If you discovered Hey Violet during their early 2014-2015 days, you’ve been along for the ride since the very beginning of their rebrand. That fall, Hey Violet joined 5SOS for the Europe and North America legs of the Rock Out With Your Socks Out tour and The Sounds Live Feels Live tour, stepping onto stages they’d once only dreamed of. From an unforgettable night at London’s O2 Arena to crossing Madison Square Garden off their bucket list, they truly felt like they were living their biggest dreams.
2) Anyone remember the Hey Violet Youtube #ROWYSO Tour Diaries or The Awesomeness TV takeovers? Let’s flashback to 10 of the most iconic moments from those videos:
-Ashton Irwin crashing their tour diary video while running to get coffee
-Rena getting lost on the ferry to the statue of liberty
-Failing mini golf twice
-Fighting a pinata in their first music video
-Iconic thrift shopping finds
-What are the odds
-Prank wars with 5SOS x1000
-Acoustic pop up performances and receiving fan gifts
-The Hey Violet cake
-Every time Casey was shocked to see a new city
3) Signing to Hi or Hey Records (2015)
In March 2015, 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) announced via a YouTube video that Hey Violet had signed with their label, Hi Or Hey Records. This record label was a side project created by 5SOS. However, since 2016-2017, the label has been inactive. Ian has not appeared in any recent footage, and Miranda later departed from the group to pursue a career in musical theater.
4) Releasing their first album, From the Outside (2017)
Hey Violet’s first album made its debut in the summer of 2017. It features some of the band’s most famous songs like “Fuqboi”, “Guys my Age”, and “Brand New Moves”’.
That year, the group, participated in an interview with Zach Sang. As Ian, a temporary member stepped front into the interview to speak, Casey explained how rock music is evolving and not dead. Rena took over the mic with her song theory explanations. And Nia and Miranda enjoyed being coupled in the back.
5) Live Performances from Capitol Studios (2019-2020)
On Apple Music and YouTube the live studio performances are still available to watch. Each video captures the high energy and pop punk vibes that Hey Violet have given fans since day one. While they didn’t cover their entire album, some of the fan favorites such as “Queen of the Night” and “Break My Heart” were featured in the videos.
6) Signing a Contract with Hopeless Records (2023)
After the pandemic hiatus, Hey Violet started posting photos from the studio. A mysterious phone number fans could call. Silly photos. And new band outfits. This marked the beginning of a new era for the band, which started as a larger group and is now performing as a three-piece.
In October 2023, they released the lead single from their final album, “I Should Call My Friends”. This track is notably shorter than their previous songs and leans more toward a pop sound, a shift from the punk energy they showcased while touring with 5SOS. Rena also has most of the vocal tracks on this release. On the other hand, Casey’s mustache is something everyone’s been talking about online lately. Nia always kills her drum set too!
7) Hey Violet’s second and final album, AFTERTASTE (2024)
Their catchy pop-punk sound is still contagious today. In June 2024 they released their second and last album, AFTERTASTE. The 11 tracks on this final project feel nostalgic as you listen. They have the punk-rock aesthetic that you may remember from 2015 but with a new sound and fewer instruments.
During this time, they performed at a mix of intimate venues, bars, and restaurants, working to revive their performance skills. Joined by other artists, the atmosphere felt more like an old-school punk rock show than an arena concert with one of the world’s biggest bands.
8) The final song: “Bittersweet”’ and Hey Violet’s Final Show (Fall 2024)
At the end of September 2024, the band released their final song ‘Bittersweet’. In less than 3 and a half minutes they have successfully captured their last nine years together into a lyrical masterpiece. The lyrics cover every pivotal moment that they could think of. From stealing golf carts while 5SOS was on stage to buying guitars when they were in debt to crying in Madison Square Garden. They did it all. As a beautiful conclusion, longtime fans made cried over their last lyrics, and made fun projects to commemorate the end.
Hey Violet’s final show occurred on October 27th, 2024 at The Lodge Room in Los Angeles. For fans unable to attend in person, the performance was live-streamed on Veeps, creating an unforgettable experience both online and live. The set list featured throwback hits like “I’m There” and “I Can Feel It,” along with a few newer tracks from AFTERTASTE. To wrap up the night, fans watched a special video showcasing why the world loves Hey Violet. For the encore, Nia, Rena, and Casey performed an emotional acoustic rendition of “Bittersweet,” bringing fans to tears. The last of their vinyls sold out, and the band received a heartfelt wave of gifts and flowers.
You can listen to “Bittersweet” by clicking here. And all of their music remains on Spotify and the tour videos are still on Youtube when you search for Hey Violet.
This isn’t goodbye; it’s a “see you soon.” We will be here to support each other no matter what comes next. Whether it’s Rena’s next project, Casey’s photography, or Nia’s drumming, we’ll always be family supporting each other.
